Jabez (biblical figure)

Jabez is a man appearing in the Book of Chronicles. He is implied to be ancestor of the Kings of Judah, although not explicitly included in the lineage. His mother named him Jabez (Hebrew יַעְבֵּץ [ya'betz]), meaning "he makes sorrowful", because his birth was difficult. Jabez's most important action was to conquer new territory with divine sanction.

Although the textual description of Jabez is brief, some Targumim elaborate that Jabez also established a religious institution for the Levite children of Zipporah: "And he was called Jabez, because in his council he instituted a school of 31 disciples; they were called Tirathim, because in their hymns their voice was like trumpets; and Shimaathim, because in hearing they lifted up their faces, i.e., in prayer; and Suchathim, because they were overshadowed by the Spirit of prophecy."

In Arabic and Persian, Jabez is transliterated as Yabis or Yabiz ( يَعْبِيصَ ). However, Syriac and Arabic translations use a substantially different transliteration of ainei or "aina", cognate with Hebrew עיני [my eye(s)].

Jabez is also mentioned in, possibly as a place name.