Reference: Jabez (1)
Fausets
("sorrowful".) In the genealogy connected with Bethlehem his name is explained by the sorrow with which his mother bore him; also by his prayer "that evil might not grieve him," i.e., though his name expressed sorrow, that God would preserve him from it. His prayer is one of the most comprehensive in the Bible, and shines forth like a brilliant star in the midst of a genealogical catalog of names; probably offered in setting out in life, an admirable model for youths.
Oh that Thou wouldest bless me indeed (God alone knows what is not only seemingly, but indeed, good for us, not earthly shadows but heavenly realities, and all things here that tend toward them) and enlarge my coast, not merely in temporal but in spiritual interests (1Ki 4:29; Ps 18:19; 31:8; 118:5), "and that Thine hand might be with me (as 'the hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him': Ezr 8:18,22; 7:6,9), and that Thou wouldest keep me from evil," etc. (Mt 6:13; Joh 17:15; Lu 22:40,46; 1Co 10:13; 2Pe 2:9; Re 3:10).
Evil may assail, but cannot finally "grieve," the believer. Jabez, the son of sorrow, by prayerful faith inherited joy in the end (Mt 5:4; Ps 90:15; Heb 12:11). Prayer was the secret of his being "more honourable than his brethren" (1Sa 2:30). His name may have been given to the city Jabez, famed for its scribes. The abrupt mention of him shows he was a man of note when Ezra wrote Chronicles. His prayer was to "the God of Israel" with whom Jacob wrestled in prayer, and "by his strength had power with God" (Ho 12:3-4), and so got the new name "Israel." "God granted" him according to the faith of his request (Eph 3:20; Mt 9:29).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Wherefore the LORD God of Israel sayeth, 'I said that thine house and the house of thy father should have walked before me forever. But now the LORD sayeth that be far from me: for them that honoureth me I will honour, and they that despise me, shall not be regarded.
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much and a large heart, even as the sand along by the sea bank:
This Ezra was a perfect scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel did give. And the king gave him all that he required, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.
For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon: and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of God upon him.
And through the good hand of our God upon us, they brought us a wise man from among the children of Mahli the son of Levi the son of Israel, even Sherebiah, with his sons and brethren, eighteen;
For I was ashamed to require of the king, soldiers and horsemen, to help us against the enemy in the way. For we had said unto the king, "The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him in goodness, and his violence and wrath is upon all them that forsake him."
He brought me forth also into a place of liberty: he brought me forth, even because he had a favor unto me. {TYNDALE: And he brought me out into roomth, and delivered me, because he delighted in me.}
and hast shut me up into the hand of the enemy; but hast set my feet in a large room.
Comfort us again, now after the time that thou hast plagued us, and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity.
I called upon the LORD in trouble, and the LORD heard me at large.
He took his brother by the heel, when he was yet in his mother's womb: and in his strength he wrestled with God. He strove with the angel, and gat the victory: so that he prayed and desired him. He found him at Bethel, and there he talked with us.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Lead us not into temptation: but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.
Then touched he their eyes saying, "According to your faith, be it unto you."
And when he came to the place, he said to them, "Pray, lest ye fall into temptation."
and said unto them, "Why sleep ye? Rise, and pray lest ye fall into temptation."
I desire not that thou shouldest take them out of the world: but that thou keep them from evil.
Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
No manner chastising for the present time seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it bringeth the quiet fruit of righteousness unto them which are therein exercised.
Because thou hast kept the words of my patience, therefore I will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which will come upon all the world, to tempt them that dwell upon the earth.