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1 Chronicles 4:9 — Word Study

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WLCוַיְהִ֣י יַעְבֵּ֔ץ נִכְבָּ֖ד מֵאֶחָ֑יו וְאִמּ֗וֹ קָרְאָ֨ה שְׁמ֤וֹ יַעְבֵּץ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כִּ֥י יָלַ֖דְתִּי בְּעֹֽצֶב׃

BSANow JabezYaʻbêts [a man of honor, more faithful to God] washâyâh more honorablekâbad [esteemed, respected] than his brothersʼâch [male siblings, close relatives] His motherʼêm [female parent, maternal figure] had named himqârâʼ JabezYaʻbêts [meaning'pain'] sayingʼâmar Becausekîy I bore [him]yâlad [gave birth to, brought forth] in painʻôtseb [with sorrow, in distress]

Word
Listen & take away1 Chronicles 4
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 9 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (be.'O.tzev) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
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1 Chronicles 4:9quick helps
In a sentenceJabez is described as more honorable than his brothers, named for the pain of his birth.
Who is speakingThe narrator of 1 Chronicles, giving a brief account of Jabez.
Where we areIn a genealogical context, focusing on notable figures in Israel's history.
The hard wordיַעְבֵּץ
Take awayJabez's name reflects his mother's pain at his birth.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbהָיָה The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — 1 Chronicles 4:9

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — The Lineage of Judahgenerated

8and Koz, who was the father of Anub and Zobebah and of the clans of Aharhel son of Harum.
9Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
10And Jabez called out to the God of Israel, “If only You would bless me and enlarge my territory! May Your hand be with me and keep me from harm, so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted the request of Jabez.
11Chelub the brother of Shuhah was the father of Mehir, who was the father of Eshton.

1 Chronicles 4:9 introduces Jabez, a man distinguished for his honor among his brothers. The verse highlights the significance of his name, which reflects the sorrow of his mother's experience during childbirth. This context is part of a larger genealogical record that emphasizes the importance of family lineage in Israel's history, particularly among the tribes of Judah.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 34:19The young man, who was the most respected of all his father’s household, did not hesitate to fulfill this request, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter.
2Isaiah 43:4Because you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you and nations in place of your life.
3Acts 17:11Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
41 Chronicles 7:23And again he slept with his wife, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. So he named him Beriah, because tragedy had come upon his house.
5Genesis 3:16To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to


The Key Word יַעְבֵּץ, ya'.Betzgenerated

The name יַעְבֵּץ (*Ya'bets*) is derived from a root meaning 'sorrow.' This name is significant as it encapsulates the pain associated with his birth, as indicated by his mother’s declaration. Jabez is noted for being more honorable than his brothers, suggesting a distinction in character or reputation within his family.

In this verse, the name Jabez serves not only as an identifier but also as a reminder of the struggles associated with his birth. The contrast between his honorable status and the meaning of his name may suggest a narrative of overcoming adversity.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

Translations of this verse generally agree on the meanings presented.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb וַיְהִ֣י, and he was, governs the main clause, establishing Jabez's honorable status. The structure is straightforward, with descriptive phrases following to elaborate on Jabez's character and the context of his naming.

The sentence flows logically, first introducing Jabez and then providing the reason for his name, which is framed as a direct quotation from his mother.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

In the Septuagint, Jabez is rendered as ιγαβης, which does not carry the same connotation of sorrow as the Hebrew. This choice may reflect a broader interpretation of his character, emphasizing his honor rather than the pain associated with his name.

The translation choice indicates a potential shift in focus from the personal narrative of pain to the broader narrative of honor in the lineage.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

1 Chronicles 4:9 tells us about Jabez, who was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because she bore him in pain. This highlights both his character and the significance of his name, which reflects the sorrow of his birth.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does the name Jabez mean?

The name Jabez means 'sorrow,' reflecting the pain his mother experienced during childbirth.

Why is Jabez described as more honorable than his brothers?

Jabez's honor may refer to his character, actions, or faithfulness to God, distinguishing him among his siblings.

What does this verse reveal about the importance of names in the Bible?

Names often carry significant meanings and can reflect a person's identity, circumstances, or character, as seen with Jabez.

How does Jabez's story connect to the broader narrative of Israel's history?

Jabez's mention in a genealogical context highlights the importance of individual stories within the larger narrative of Israel's lineage.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. In what ways can a name influence a person's identity or perception in society?
  2. How can we honor our family heritage while also overcoming negative associations?
  3. What does Jabez's story teach us about resilience in the face of adversity?
  4. In what ways can we seek to be honorable in our own lives, like Jabez?

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on 1 Chronicles 4:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren,.... The Targum adds, "and wiser in the law than his brethren;'' or he might be a man of great wealth and riches, or of great strength and courage, all

Read John Gill on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Jabez; one of the fathers of the families of Aharhel last mentioned. More honourable than his brethren, for courage, and especially for true and fervent piety, expressed in the following petition.

Read Matthew Poole on 1 Chronicles 4 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

1 Chronicles 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.Ver. 9. And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren.] Propter opes, saith Piscator, for his wealth; for his holiness rather, or for his valour and learning, tam Marte quam Mercurio, if he were that renowned Othniel, as some make him to be: others, Othniel’ s brother. In his city, called by his name Jabez, dwelt scribes, hence Vatablus concludeth that he was doctor insignis. And his mother called him Jabez,] i.e., Dolorificum; a dear, but doleful child to her, a son of her sorrows, because she had a hard bargain, as they call it, when she brought…

Read John Trapp on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) More honourable than his brethren.—Comp. what is said of Hamor son of Shechem in Genesis 34:19. His brethren.—Perhaps the sons of Coz. The form of the Hebrew verb implies connection with 1 Chronicles 4:8. His mother called his name . . .—Comp. Genesis 29:32-35, and especially Genesis 35:18. With sorrow.—Rather, pain.

Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Chronicles 4 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 9. And Jabez was more honourable] This whole account is variously understood by some of the principal versions. I shall subjoin a translation of each. SEPTUAGINT. - "And Igabes was more glorious than his brethren; and his mother called his name Igabes, saying, I have brought thee forth as Gabes. And Igabes invoked the God of Israel, saying, If in blessing thou wilt bless me, and enlarge my borders, and thy hand be with me, and wilt give me understanding not to depress me: and God brought about all that he requested." SYRIAC. - "And one of these was dear to his father and to his mother; and he called his name [Syriac] ainai, MY EYE. And he said to him, In blessing may the Lord bless…

Read AdamClarke on 1 Chronicles 4 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. The connexion of this verse also does not appear, but according to Targ. (on 1 Chronicles 4:13) Jabez = Othniel, the nephew of Caleb. And Jabez etc.] Render, And Jabez came to be hononred above his brethren, but his mother had called his name, etc. The man with the ill-omened name staved off ill-fortune by his prayer. Jabez = “He bringeth sorrow.”

Read Cambridge on 1 Chronicles 4 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

It is remarkable that Jabez should be introduced without description, or patronymic, as if a well-known personage.

Read Albert Barnes on 1 Chronicles 4 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him with sorrow.”

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

NETBNew English Translation2006

Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, for she said, “I experienced pain when I gave birth to him.”

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

But Iabez was more honourable then his brethren: and his mother called his name Iabez, saying, Because I bare him in sorowe.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Jabez was more honoured than his brethren; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with pain.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Jabez is honoured above his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I have brought forth with grief.'

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Jabez is honored above his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I have brought forth with grief.”

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Ja'bez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Ja'bez, saying, Because I bore him in pain.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Jabez was more respected than his brothers. His mother called him Jabez. She said, “Because I bore him in pain.”

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

And Jabes was more honourable than any of his brethren, and his mother called his name Jabes, saying: Because I bore him with sorrow.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

Jabez was more faithful to God than his brothers. His mother had given him the name Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.”

BBEBible in Basic English1949

And Jabez was honoured more than his brothers; but his mother had given him the name Jabez, saying, Because I gave birth to him with sorrow.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיְהִ֣יhe.wassubjectיַעְבֵּ֔ץJabezadjective phrase · objectנִכְבָּ֖דhonoredprepositional phraseמֵmorenoun phraseאֶחָ֑יthanוhis.brothersוְandclausenoun phrase · subjectאִמּ֗motherוֹhisverbקָרְאָ֨הshe.had.callednoun phrase · objectשְׁמ֤nameוֹhissecond objectיַעְבֵּץ֙Jabezprepositional phrase · prepositionalלֵ(cmp)clauseverbאמֹ֔רsayingכִּ֥י(dm)clauseverbיָלַ֖דְתִּיI.gave.birthprepositional phrase · prepositionalבְּinעֹֽצֶבpain

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text presents the verse as it is traditionally understood, with a direct correlation to the Septuagint's rendering. Both sources agree on the essential details of Jabez's honor and the circumstances of his naming, though the Septuagint's wording differs slightly.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיְהִ֣י יַעְבֵּ֔ץ נִכְבָּ֖ד מֵאֶחָ֑יו וְאִמּ֗וֹ קָרְאָ֨ה שְׁמ֤וֹ יַעְבֵּץ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר כִּ֥י יָלַ֖דְתִּי בְּעֹֽצֶב׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיְהִ֣יἦνיַעְבֵּ֔ץιγαβηςנִכְבָּ֖דἔνδοχοςמֵאֶחָ֑יוαὐτοῦוְאִמּ֗וֹμήτηρקָרְאָ֨הἐκάλεσενשְׁמ֤וֹαὐτοῦיַעְבֵּץ֙ιγαβηςלֵאמֹ֔רλέγουσαיָלַ֖דְתִּיἔτεκονבְּעֹֽצֶב׃γαβης

11 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

1 Chronicles 4:9הָיָהand he wasand he wasהָיָהיַעְבֵּץJabezJabezיַעְבֵּץכָּבֵדhonoredhonoredכָּבֵדאָחmore than bmore than brothאָחאֵםand mother and mother hisאֵםקָרָאshe had calshe had calledקָרָאשֵׁםname hisname hisשֵׁםיַעְבֵּץJabezJabezיַעְבֵּץאָמַרsayingsayingאָמַרכִּיforforכִּייָלַדI gave birtI gave birthיָלַדעֹ֫צֶבin painin painעֹ֫צֶבאָבfatherfatherאָבשׂוּםto set: mato set: makeשׂוּםהָוָאto fallto fallהָוָאקָרָאto encountto encounter: mקָרָאעֶ֫צֶבtoiltoilעֶ֫צֶבקָרָאto call: cto call: call tקָרָאאֵםmothermotherאֵםעֹלyokeyokeעֹלעֵשָׂו(Mount) Es(Mount) EsauעֵשָׂויוֹסֵףJosephJosephיוֹסֵףמָלַךְto reignto reignמָלַךְבַּתBath (ShuaBath (Shua)בַּתצוֹםfastfastצוֹםשֵׁםnamenameשֵׁםיָדָהto give thto give thanksיָדָהכֹּהthusthusכֹּהיהוהYHWH/GodYHWH/Godיהוהיָדַעto knowto knowיָדַע
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in 1 Chronicles 4:9

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
וַיְהִ֣יvay.Hi and he was H1961 Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
3,562× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Tyndale gloss
to be
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be

Qal

Fall out, happen

occur, take place, come about, come to pass

esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass

וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

Come into being, become

abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

sq. prep.

become

sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

sq. pred. adj.

become like

sq. pred. לְ pers.

sq. לְ pred.

oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.

with עַל and לְ

sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)

exist, be in existence

abide, remain, continue

with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie

as copula, joining subj. & pred.

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen

. occur, take place, come about, come to pass

. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)

. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה

. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)

. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come

. sq. prep.

. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)

. sq. pred. adj.

. become like

. sq. pred. + לְ pers.

. sq. לְ pred.

. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.

. with עַל and לְ

. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of

. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence

. abide, remain, continue

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1961 hayah haw-yaw

a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,

come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or

auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,

committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,

fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit

(one-)self, require, X use.

see HEBREW for 01933

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.

1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out

1a) (Qal)

1a1) ---

1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass

1a1b) to come about, come to pass

1a2) to come into being, become

1a2a) to arise, appear, come

1a2b) to become

1a2b1) to become

1a2b2) to become like

1a2b3) to be instituted, be established

1a3) to be

1a3a) to exist, be in existence

1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)

1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)

1a3d) to accompany, be with

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about

1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/Vqw3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ha: The fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet; transliterated in this Encyclopedia as "h." It came also to be used for the number 5. For name, etc., see ALPHABET.

and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
יַעְבֵּ֔ץya'.Betz Jabez H3258 Noun proper masculine
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jabez was an Israelite who lived during the time of the divided monarchy, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles. His name means 'sorrow' and he was part of a Calebite family.
Amplified meaning
a man of honor, more faithful to God
Tyndale gloss
Jabez
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יַעְבֵּץ (*Ya'bets*) refers to Jabez, a man from the tribe of Judah, and also denotes a town in Judah, likely near Bethlehem. The name is associated with the meaning 'sorrow.' Jabez is first mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:9 and is noted as the head of a Calebite family.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַעְבֵּץ n.pr.

m. Jabez, a man of the Calebites

loc. in Judah, appar. near Bethlehem

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3258 יַעְבֵּץ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3258 Ya`bets yah-bates'

from an unused root probably meaning to grieve; sorrowful;

Jabets, the name of an Israelite, and also of a place in

Palestine: -Jabez.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַעְבֵּץ (ya.bets) — Jabez.

§ Jabez = "sorrow"

a town in Judah apparently near Bethlehem

יַעְבֵּץ (ya.bets) — Jabez.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.4.9;

son of: Koz (H6976)(?);

brother of: Anub (H6036)(?), Zobebah (H6637)(?) and Harum (H2037)(?)

§ Jabez = "sorrow"

1) the head of a Calebite family

2) a town in Judah apparently near Bethlehem

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ja'-bez (ya`bets, "sorrow" ("height)):

(1) Place: An unidentified town probably in the territory of Judah, occupied by scribes (1Ch 2:55). For an ingenious reconstruction of the passage see EB, under the word

(2) Person: The head of a family of Judah, noted for his "honorable" character, though "his mother bare him with sorrow" (1Ch 4:9,10), ya`bets being interpreted as if it stood for ya`tsebh, "he causes pain." The same play upon words recurs in his prayer, "that it be not to my sorrow!" His request was granted, "and the sorrow implied by his ominous name was averted by prayer" (Dummelow, in the place cited.).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jabez

Affiction. (1.) A descendant of Judah, of whom it is recorded that “God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chr. 4:9, 10).

(2.) A place inhabited by several families of the scribes (1 Chr. 2:55).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(sorrow). Apparently a place at which the families of the scribes resided who belonged to the families of the Kenites. (1 Chronicles 2:55) The name occurs again in the genealogies of Judah, (1 Chronicles 4:9,10) in a passage of remarkable detail inserted in a genealogy again connected with Bethlehem. ver. 4.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A descendant of Judah, whose high distinction among his brethren seems to have been owing to his prevalence in prayer, 1Ch 4:9-10

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
נִכְבָּ֖דnikh.Bad honored H3513 Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singular
113× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word can mean to honor or make something weighty, like when God is glorified in Psalm 138, or to be heavy with burdens, as the Israelites were in Exodus 18.
Amplified meaning
esteemed, respected
Tyndale gloss
to honor: honour
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word כָּבֵד (kabad) is built from a primitive root meaning 'to be heavy.' It covers a range of meanings, including being burdensome, weighty, or honorable. The word can describe both a negative sense of heaviness or dullness and a positive sense of honor or glory. It appears in various forms, such as making oneself heavy or being made honorable.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כָּבֵד vb. be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured

Qal

be heavy, in weight

heavy, insensible, dull

be honoured

Niph.

pass.

be made heavy fr. abundance

be honoured, enjoy honour, of man

medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God

Pi.

make heavy, insensible

make honourable, honour, glorify, usu. c. human subj.

Pu. be made honourable, honoured

Hiph.

make heavy

make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears

cause to be honoured

Hithp.

make oneself heavy, dense, numerous

honour oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3513 כָּבֵד be heavy, weighty, burdensome, honoured .. be heavy, in weight

. heavy, insensible, dull

. be honoured

. . pass. . be made heavy fr. abundance

. be honoured, enjoy honour, of man

. medial, get oneself glory (or honour), of God

. . make heavy, insensible

. make honourable, honour, glorify, usu. c. human subj.

. be made honourable, honoured

. . make heavy

. make heavy, dull, unresponsive, the ears

. cause to be honoured

. . make oneself heavy, dense, numerous

. honour oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3513 kabad kaw-bad'

or kabed {kaw-bade'}; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. in

a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense

(numerous, rich, honorable; causatively, to make weighty (in

the same two senses):--abounding with, more grievously

afflict, boast, be chargeable, X be dim, glorify, be (make)

glorious (things), glory, (very) great, be grievous, harden,

be (make) heavy, be heavier, lay heavily, (bring to, come to,

do, get, be had in) honour (self), (be) honourable (man),

lade, X more be laid, make self many, nobles, prevail, promote

(to honour), be rich, be (go) sore, stop.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כָּבֵד (ka.vad) — to honor: honour.

: honour/glory

1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to be heavy

1a2) to be heavy, be insensible, be dull

1a3) to be honoured

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to be made heavy, be honoured, enjoy honour, be made abundant

1b2) to get oneself glory or honour, gain glory

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to make heavy, make dull, make insensible

1c2) to make honourable, honour, glorify

1d) (Pual) to be made honourable, be honoured

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to make heavy

1e2) to make heavy, make dull, make unresponsive

1e3) to cause to be honoured

1f) (Hithpael)

1f1) to make oneself heavy, make oneself dense, make oneself numerous

1f2) to honour oneself

כָּבֵד (ka.vad) — to honor: heavy.

: heavy/severe

1) to be heavy, be weighty, be grievous, be hard, be rich, be honourable, be glorious, be burdensome, be honoured

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Niphal — Verb · Niphal · participle (active) masculine singular
HVNrmsa
and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
מֵאֶחָ֑יוme.'e.Chav more than brothers his H251 Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
630× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Amplified meaning
male siblings, close relatives
Tyndale gloss
brother: male-sibling
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָח 630 n.m. brother

brother, born of same mother (& father)

indef. = relative

fig. of resemblance

in phr. one … another

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H251 אָח brother

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

251 'ach awkh

a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of

literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance

(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.

Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.

: male-sibling

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.

: male-relative

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.

: compatriot

1) brother

1a) brother of same parents

1b) half-brother (same father)

1c) relative, kinship, same tribe

1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)

1e) (fig.) of resemblance

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-mp | Suff — Preposition · noun common masculine plural construct · suffix
HR/Ncmpc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
וְאִמּ֗וֹve.'i.Mo and mother his H517 Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
220× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Amplified meaning
female parent, maternal figure
Tyndale gloss
mother
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אֵם (em) means 'mother' and can refer to a human mother, an animal's dam, or even a figurative sense, such as Deborah's nurturing role for her people. It also conveys the idea of a point of departure or division. This word is built from a primitive root and encompasses both literal and figurative meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אֵם 221 n.f. mother

lit. (human) mother

fig. of Deborah as caring for her people

of animals, dam

= point of departure or division

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H517 אֵם mother . lit. (human) mother

. fig. of Deborah as caring for her people

. of animals, dam

. = point of departure or division

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

517 'em ame

a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a

wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like 1):--dam,

mother, X parting.

see HEBREW for 01

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אֵם (em) — mother.

1) mother

1a) of humans

1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.)

1c) of animals

2) point of departure or division

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine singular construct · suffix
HC/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
קָרְאָ֨הka.re.'Ah she had called H7121 Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
733× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Tyndale gloss
to call: call to
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read

Qal

call, cry, utter a loud sound

call, cry

call unto some one

cry for help

proclaim

read aloud

read to oneself

summon

call = name

Niph.

reflex.

pass. be called

Pu. be called

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound

. call, cry

. . call unto some one

. cry for help

. proclaim

. . read aloud

. read to oneself

. summon

. call = name

. . reflex.

. pass. be called

. be called

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7121 qara' kaw-raw'

a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea

of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,

address by name, but used in a wide variety of

applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,

forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,

mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),

pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.

see HEBREW for 07122

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.

: call_to/invite/entreat

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow

1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by

1b) (Niphal)

1b1) to call oneself

1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named

1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen

קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.

: call_by/name

1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound

1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)

1a3) to proclaim

1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-3fs — Verb · Qal · perfect third person feminine singular
HVqp3fs
and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
שְׁמ֤וֹshe.Mo name his H8034 Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
864× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, a name represents a person's identity, honor, and character, like God's name symbolizing His power and authority. It appears in Genesis and other books, often referring to God's name or a person's reputation. This concept is central to understanding biblical identity.
Tyndale gloss
name
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שֵׁם (shem) means 'name' and encompasses various meanings such as reputation, fame, and glory. It can refer to the designation of God and is often associated with memorials or monuments. The word is built from a primitive root and highlights individuality and honor. There is a mention of its use in relation to false gods, which is forbidden.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שֵׁם 864 n.m. name (√ unknown)

of river, beasts, city, i.e. exact designation of it

usu. of pers.

= reputation

esp. as giving a man a kind of posthumous life, esp. in his sons

name, as designation of God

of false gods, use forbidden

= memorial, monument

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8034 שֵׁם name (√ unknown)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8034 shem shame

a primitive word (perhaps rather from 7760 through the idea

of definite and conspicuous position; compare 8064); an

appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by

implication honor, authority, character:--+ base,

(in-)fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.

see HEBREW for 07760

see HEBREW for 08064

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שֵׁם (shem) — name.

1) name

1a) name

1b) reputation, fame, glory

1c) the Name (as designation of God)

1d) memorial, monument

Aramaic equivalent: shum (שֻׁם "name" H8036)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HNcmsc/Sp3ms
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

hiz: Used often in the King James Version with reference to a neuter or inanimate thing, or to a lower animal (Ge 1:11, "after his kind"; Le 1:16, "pluck away his crop"; Ac 12:10, "of his own accord"; 1Co 15:38, "his own body"), etc. the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "its."

and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
יַעְבֵּץ֙ya'.Betz Jabez H3258 Noun proper masculine
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Jabez was an Israelite who lived during the time of the divided monarchy, as mentioned in 1 Chronicles. His name means 'sorrow' and he was part of a Calebite family.
Amplified meaning
meaning'pain'
Tyndale gloss
Jabez
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יַעְבֵּץ (*Ya'bets*) refers to Jabez, a man from the tribe of Judah, and also denotes a town in Judah, likely near Bethlehem. The name is associated with the meaning 'sorrow.' Jabez is first mentioned in 1 Chronicles 4:9 and is noted as the head of a Calebite family.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַעְבֵּץ n.pr.

m. Jabez, a man of the Calebites

loc. in Judah, appar. near Bethlehem

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3258 יַעְבֵּץ

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3258 Ya`bets yah-bates'

from an unused root probably meaning to grieve; sorrowful;

Jabets, the name of an Israelite, and also of a place in

Palestine: -Jabez.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַעְבֵּץ (ya.bets) — Jabez.

§ Jabez = "sorrow"

a town in Judah apparently near Bethlehem

יַעְבֵּץ (ya.bets) — Jabez.

A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.4.9;

son of: Koz (H6976)(?);

brother of: Anub (H6036)(?), Zobebah (H6637)(?) and Harum (H2037)(?)

§ Jabez = "sorrow"

1) the head of a Calebite family

2) a town in Judah apparently near Bethlehem

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-proper — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ja'-bez (ya`bets, "sorrow" ("height)):

(1) Place: An unidentified town probably in the territory of Judah, occupied by scribes (1Ch 2:55). For an ingenious reconstruction of the passage see EB, under the word

(2) Person: The head of a family of Judah, noted for his "honorable" character, though "his mother bare him with sorrow" (1Ch 4:9,10), ya`bets being interpreted as if it stood for ya`tsebh, "he causes pain." The same play upon words recurs in his prayer, "that it be not to my sorrow!" His request was granted, "and the sorrow implied by his ominous name was averted by prayer" (Dummelow, in the place cited.).

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jabez

Affiction. (1.) A descendant of Judah, of whom it is recorded that “God granted him that which he requested” (1 Chr. 4:9, 10).

(2.) A place inhabited by several families of the scribes (1 Chr. 2:55).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(sorrow). Apparently a place at which the families of the scribes resided who belonged to the families of the Kenites. (1 Chronicles 2:55) The name occurs again in the genealogies of Judah, (1 Chronicles 4:9,10) in a passage of remarkable detail inserted in a genealogy again connected with Bethlehem. ver. 4.

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

A descendant of Judah, whose high distinction among his brethren seems to have been owing to his prevalence in prayer, 1Ch 4:9-10

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
לֵאמֹ֔רle.Mor saying H559 Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
5,309× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Tyndale gloss
to say
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

אָמַר (amar) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to say' or 'to utter,' with a broad range of uses including to promise, command, or even boast. It appears in various forms, such as in the Qal (to say), Niphal (to be told), and Hiphil (to avow). The entries highlight its versatility in both spoken and internal contexts, though no specific verse is noted.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אָמַר 5287 vb. utter, say

Qal

Say

Say in the heart (= think)

Promise

Command (esp. late)

Niph. be said, told

Hiph. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

Hithp. act proudly, boast

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H559 אָמַר utter, say .. Say

. Say in the heart (= think)

. Promise

. Command (esp. late)

. be said, told

. avow, avouch (lit. cause to declare)

. act proudly, boast

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

559 'amar aw-mar'

a primitive root; to say (used with great

latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call,

certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment),

commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X

expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise,

publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X

suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech),

utter, X verily, X yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָמַר (a.mar) — to say.

1) to say, speak, utter

1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend

1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called

1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly

1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch

Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a — Preposition · verb qal infinitive construct common
HR/Vqcc
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
כִּ֥יki for H3588 Particle
4,483× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Tyndale gloss
for
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

כִּי (ki) is a conjunction primarily meaning 'that,' 'for,' or 'when.' It indicates causal relationships and can express conditions like 'if' or 'though.' The word is versatile, appearing in various contexts to convey certainty, exception, or concession. Notably, it can combine with other particles to modify its meaning, such as in the phrase כִּי אם־ (ki im), meaning 'that if.'

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

כִּי conj. that, for, when

that

Of time, when, of the past

elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

Because, since

base

כִּי אם־

each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause:

that if

for if

(About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause—

limiting the prec. clause, except

the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

after an oath, surely

base

כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3588a כִּי that, for, when . that

. . Of time, when, of the past

. elsewhere כִּי has a force approximating to if, though it usu. represents a case as more likely to occur than אִם

. when or if, with a concessive force, i.e. though

. Because, since

H3588b כִּי אם־ . each part. retaining its independent force, and relating to a different clause: . that if

. for if

. (About 140 t.) the two particles being closely conjoined, and relating to the same clause— . limiting the prec. clause, except

. the if being neglected, and treated as pleonastic, so that the clause is no longer a limitation of the preceding clause but a contradiction of it: but rather, but

. after an oath, surely

H3588c כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3588 kiy kee

a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional

prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent

or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative

conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by

other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch,

where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else,

even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, +

nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then,

therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when,

whether, while, whom, yea, yet.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

כִּי (ki) — for.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if

1f) but rather, but

1g) except that

1h) only, nevertheless

1i) surely

1j) that is

1k) but if

1l) for though

1m) forasmuch as, for therefore

כִּי [אם] (ki im) — that if: except.

1) except if

1a) but if

1b) even though

כִּי [עַל כֵּן] (ki [al ken]) — for as that: since.

1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since

1a) that

1a1) yea, indeed

1b) when (of time)

1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force)

1c) because, since (causal connection)

1d) but (after negative)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Conj — Particle
HTc
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

for (ki (conjunction), le, from 'el (preposition), and various other words. In the New Testament also the words are various, chiefly gar, kai gar, hoti (conjunctions); anti apo eis dia (accusative), epi (dative and accusative), peri (genitive), pros (genitive and accusative), huper (genitive) (prepositions)): the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version give in many cases more literal or more accurate renderings than those in the King James Version.

In the New Testament the most important preps. from a doctrinal point of view are anti, "face to face," "over against," "instead," "on behalf of," peri, "around," "about," "concerning," huper, "over," "on behalf of." The first has been claimed as stating the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice as contrasted with huper and peri, more frequently used of it. But, although anti in the New Testament often means…

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
יָלַ֖דְתִּיya.Lad.ti I gave birth H3205 Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
496× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Amplified meaning
gave birth to, brought forth
Tyndale gloss
to beget
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word יָלַד (*yalad*) means to bear, bring forth, or beget, and it encompasses various forms of childbirth and lineage declaration. It can refer to both the act of giving birth and the role of a midwife. The entries also note its use in contexts of distress and wicked behavior, as well as in reference to birthdays.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יָלַד 497 vb. bear, bring forth, beget

Qal

bear, bring forth

less often beget

of both parents

Niph. be born

Pi. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

Pu. be born

Hiph.

beget (a father a child)

bear

Hoph. day of one's being born = birthday

Hithp. declared their pedigree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3205 יָלַד bear, bring forth, beget .. bear, bring forth

. less often beget

. of both parents

. be born

. cause (or help) to bring forth, viz., assist or tend as midwife

. be born

. . beget (a father a child)

. bear

. day of one's being born = birthday

. declared their pedigree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3205 yalad yaw-lad'

a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget;

medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show

lineage:--bear, beget, birth((-day)), born, (make to) bring

forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be

delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch,

labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be

the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman).

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָלַד (ya.lad) — to beget.

1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to bear, bring forth

1a1a) of child birth

1a1b) of distress (simile)

1a1c) of wicked (behaviour)

1a2) to beget

1b) (Niphal) to be born

1c) (Piel)

1c1) to cause or help to bring forth

1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife

1c3) midwife (participle)

1d) (Pual) to be born

1e) (Hiphil)

1e1) to beget (a child)

1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity)

1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive)

1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Perf-1cs — Verb · Qal · perfect first person common singular
HVqp1cs
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

burth (genesis):

(1) It was said by the angel beforehand of John the Baptist, "Many shall rejoice at his birth"; and when he was born Elisabeth said, "Thus hath the Lord done unto me .... to take away my reproach among men" (Lu 1:14,25). Among the ancient Hebrews barrenness was a "reproach" and the birth of a child, of a son especially, an occasion for rejoicing.

(2) This, no doubt, was due in part to the Messianic hope inspired and sustained by prophecy (see Ge 3:15, where it was foretold that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent's head; and subsequent prophecies too numerous to mention). Cases in point worth studying are found in Ge 4:1, where Eve rejoices over the birth of her firstborn and cries, "I have gotten a…

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Birth

As soon as a child was born it was washed, and rubbed with salt (Ezek. 16:4), and then swathed with bandages (Job 38:9; Luke 2:7, 12). A Hebrew mother remained forty days in seclusion after the birth of a son, and after the birth of a daughter double that number of days. At the close of that period she entered into the tabernacle or temple and offered up a sacrifice of purification (Lev. 12:1-8; Luke 2:22). A son was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth, being thereby consecrated to God (Gen. 17:10-12; comp.

→ Giving, ordained to be in sorrow Ge 3:16

→ See ABORTION

→ See CHILDREN

and he was Jabez honored more than brothers his and mother his she had called name his Jabez saying for I gave birth in pain
בְּעֹֽצֶב׃be.'O.tzev in pain H6090 Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word refers to an idol, but also describes physical or mental pain, like the sorrow King David felt in Psalm 51. It can also mean wickedness. In the Bible, it appears in contexts like Isaiah 45:20, where idols are contrasted with the one true God.
Amplified meaning
with sorrow, in distress
Tyndale gloss
pain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עֹ֫צֶב (otseb) has two primary meanings: 'pain' and 'idol.' The word is derived from a variation of another Hebrew term and is noted for its use in contexts relating to both bodily or mental suffering and the concept of an idol. The only specific verse reference provided is Isaiah 48:5.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עֹ֫צֶב n.[m.] pain

base

[עֹ֫צֶב] n.m. idol;—sf. Is 48:5.

ref

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H6090a עֹ֫צֶב pain H6090b עֹ֫צֶב idol

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

6090 `otseb o'-tseb

a variation of 6089; an idol (as fashioned); also pain

(bodily or mental):--idol, sorrow, X wicked.

see HEBREW for 06089

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עֹ֫צֶב (o.tsev) — pain.

pain, sorrow

עֹ֫צֶב (o.tsev) — idol.

idol

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absolute
HR/Ncmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

pan (chul, chil, chebhel, chalah, chalchalah, ka'-ebh, ke'ebh, metsar, makh'obh, `amal, tsir; basanizo, ponos, odin): These words signifying various forms of bodily or mental suffering are generally translated "pain"; 28 out of the 34 passages in which the word is used are in the poetical or prophetical books and refer to conditions of mental disquiet or dismay due to the punishment of personal or national sin. There is only one instance where the word is used as a historic record of personal physical pain: the case of the wife of Phinehas (1Sa 4:19), but the same word tsir is used figuratively in Isa 13:8; 21:3; Da 10:16, and translated "pangs" or "sorrows." In other passages where we have the same comparison of consternation…

Nave's Topical Bible

→ General scriptures concerning Job 14:22; 30:17,18; 33:19; La 3:5; Re 16:10; 21:4

→ See AFFLICTIONS

Thompson Chain Reference topics

general references to

Job 14:22; 30:17; 33:19; Isa 21:3; Ro 8:22; Re 16:10; 21:4

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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