Easton's Bible Dictionary Affiction. (1.) A descendant of Judah, of whom it is recorded that "God granted him that which he requested" (1 Chronicles 4:9, 10). (2.) A place inhabited by several families of the scribes (1 Chronicles 2:55). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JABEZ ja'-bez (ya`bets, "sorrow" ("height)): (1) Place: A town probably in the territory of Judah, occupied by scribes (1 Chronicles 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" (1 Chronicles 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.).

Multi-Version Concordance Jabez (3 Occurrences) 1 Chronicles 2:55 The families of scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites, the Sucathites. These are the Kenites who came of Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Chronicles 4:9 Jabez was more honorable than his brothers: and his mother named him Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him with sorrow." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Chronicles 4:10 Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it not be to my sorrow!" God granted him that which he requested. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)