1The sonsH1121 of JudahH3063; PharezH6557, HezronH2696, and CarmiH3756, and HurH2354, and ShobalH7732. 2And ReaiahH7211 the sonH1121 of ShobalH7732 begatH3205 JahathH3189; and JahathH3189 begatH3205 AhumaiH267, and LahadH3855. These are the familiesH4940 of the ZorathitesH6882. 3And these were of the fatherH1 of EtamH5862; JezreelH3157, and IshmaH3457, and IdbashH3031: and the nameH8034 of their sisterH269 was HazelelponiH6753: 4And PenuelH6439 the fatherH1 of GedorH1446, and EzerH5829 the fatherH1 of HushahH2364. These are the sonsH1121 of HurH2354, the firstbornH1060 of EphratahH672, the fatherH1 of BethlehemH1035. 5And AshurH806 the fatherH1 of TekoaH8620 had twoH8147 wivesH802, HelahH2458 and NaarahH5292. 6And NaarahH5292 boreH3205 him AhuzamH275, and HepherH2660, and TemeniH8488, and HaahashtariH326. These were the sonsH1121 of NaarahH5292. 7And the sonsH1121 of HelahH2458 were, ZerethH6889, and JezoarH6714 H3328, and EthnanH869. 8And CozH6976 begatH3205 AnubH6036, and ZobebahH6637, and the familiesH4940 of AharhelH316 the sonH1121 of HarumH2037. 9And JabezH3258 was more honourableH3513 than his brethrenH251: and his motherH517 calledH7121 his nameH8034 JabezH3258, sayingH559, Because I boreH3205 him with sorrowH6090. 10And JabezH3258 calledH7121 on the GodH430 of IsraelH3478, sayingH559, O thatH518 thou wouldest blessH1288 me indeedH1288, and enlargeH7235 my landH1366, and that thy handH3027 might be with me, and that thou wouldest keepH6213 me from evilH7451, that it may not grieveH6087 me! And GodH430 grantedH935 him that which he requestedH7592. 11And ChelubH3620 the brotherH251 of ShuahH7746 begatH3205 MehirH4243, who was the fatherH1 of EshtonH850. 12And EshtonH850 begatH3205 BethraphaH1051, and PaseahH6454, and TehinnahH8468 the fatherH1 of IrnahashH5904. These are the menH582 of RechahH7397. 13And the sonsH1121 of KenazH7073; OthnielH6274, and SeraiahH8304: and the sonsH1121 of OthnielH6274; HathathH2867. 14And MeonothaiH4587 begatH3205 OphrahH6084: and SeraiahH8304 begatH3205 JoabH3097, the fatherH1 of the valleyH1516 of CharashimH2798; for they were craftsmenH2791. 15And the sonsH1121 of CalebH3612 the sonH1121 of JephunnehH3312; IruH5900, ElahH425, and NaamH5277: and the sonsH1121 of ElahH425, even KenazH7073. 16And the sonsH1121 of JehaleleelH3094; ZiphH2128, and ZiphahH2129, TiriaH8493, and AsareelH840. 17And the sonsH1121 of EzraH5834 were, JetherH3500, and MeredH4778, and EpherH6081, and JalonH3210: and she boreH2029 MiriamH4813, and ShammaiH8060, and IshbahH3431 the fatherH1 of EshtemoaH851. 18And his wifeH802 JehudijahH3057 boreH3205 JeredH3382 the fatherH1 of GedorH1446, and HeberH2268 the fatherH1 of SochoH7755, and JekuthielH3354 the fatherH1 of ZanoahH2182. And these are the sonsH1121 of BithiahH1332 the daughterH1323 of PharaohH6547, whom MeredH4778 tookH3947. 19And the sonsH1121 of his wifeH802 HodiahH1940 the sisterH269 of NahamH5163, the fatherH1 of KeilahH7084 the GarmiteH1636, and EshtemoaH851 the MaachathiteH4602. 20And the sonsH1121 of ShimonH7889 were, AmnonH550, and RinnahH7441, BenhananH1135, and TilonH8436. And the sonsH1121 of IshiH3469 were, ZohethH2105, and BenzohethH1132. 21The sonsH1121 of ShelahH7956 the sonH1121 of JudahH3063 were, ErH6147 the fatherH1 of LecahH3922, and LaadahH3935 the fatherH1 of MareshahH4762, and the familiesH4940 of the houseH1004 of them that wroughtH5656 fine linenH948, of the houseH1004 of AshbeaH791, 22And JokimH3137, and the menH582 of ChozebaH3578, and JoashH3101, and SaraphH8315, who had the dominionH1166 in MoabH4124, and JashubilehemH3433. And these are ancientH6267 recordsH1697. 23These were the pottersH3335, and those that dweltH3427 among plantsH5196 and hedgesH1448: there they dweltH3427 with the kingH4428 for his workH4399. 24The sonsH1121 of SimeonH8095 were, NemuelH5241, and JaminH3226, JaribH3402, ZerahH2226, and ShaulH7586: 25ShallumH7967 his sonH1121, MibsamH4017 his sonH1121, MishmaH4927 his sonH1121. 26And the sonsH1121 of MishmaH4927; HamuelH2536 his sonH1121, ZacchurH2139 his sonH1121, ShimeiH8096 his sonH1121. 27And ShimeiH8096 had sixteenH8337 H6240 sonsH1121 and sixH8337 daughtersH1323; but his brethrenH251 had not manyH7227 childrenH1121, neither did all their familyH4940 multiplyH7235, like the childrenH1121 of JudahH3063. 28And they dweltH3427 at BeershebaH884, and MoladahH4137, and HazarshualH2705, 29And at BilhahH1090, and at EzemH6107, and at ToladH8434, 30And at BethuelH1328, and at HormahH2767, and at ZiklagH6860, 31And at BethmarcabothH1024, and HazarsusimH2702, and at BethbireiH1011, and at ShaaraimH8189. These were their citiesH5892 to the reignH4427 of DavidH1732. 32And their villagesH2691 were, EtamH5862, and AinH5871, RimmonH7417, and TochenH8507, and AshanH6228, fiveH2568 citiesH5892: 33And all their villagesH2691 that were aroundH5439 the same citiesH5892, to BaalH1168. These were their habitationsH4186, and their genealogyH3187. 34And MeshobabH4877, and JamlechH3230, and JoshahH3144 the sonH1121 of AmaziahH558, 35And JoelH3100, and JehuH3058 the sonH1121 of JosibiahH3143, the sonH1121 of SeraiahH8304, the sonH1121 of AsielH6221, 36And ElioenaiH454, and JaakobahH3291, and JeshohaiahH3439, and AsaiahH6222, and AdielH5717, and JesimielH3450, and BenaiahH1141, 37And ZizaH2124 the sonH1121 of ShiphiH8230, the sonH1121 of AllonH438, the sonH1121 of JedaiahH3042, the sonH1121 of ShimriH8113, the sonH1121 of ShemaiahH8098; 38These mentionedH935 by their namesH8034 were princesH5387 in their familiesH4940: and the houseH1004 of their fathersH1 increasedH6555 greatlyH7230. 39And they wentH3212 to the entranceH3996 of GedorH1446, even to the east sideH4217 of the valleyH1516, to seekH1245 pastureH4829 for their flocksH6629. 40And they foundH4672 richH8082 pastureH4829 and goodH2896, and the landH776 was wideH7342 H3027, and quietH8252, and peaceableH7961; for they of HamH2526 had dweltH3427 there of oldH6440. 41And these writtenH3789 by nameH8034 cameH935 in the daysH3117 of HezekiahH3169 kingH4428 of JudahH3063, and smoteH5221 their tentsH168, and the habitationsH4583 that were foundH4672 there, and destroyedH2763 them utterly to this dayH3117, and dweltH3427 in their stead: because there was pastureH4829 there for their flocksH6629. 42And some of them, even of the sonsH1121 of SimeonH8095, fiveH2568 hundredH3967 menH582, wentH1980 to mountH2022 SeirH8165, having for their captainsH7218 PelatiahH6410, and NeariahH5294, and RephaiahH7509, and UzzielH5816, the sonsH1121 of IshiH3469. 43And they smoteH5221 the restH7611 of the AmalekitesH6002 that had escapedH6413, and have dweltH3427 there to this dayH3117.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 One reason, no doubt, why Ezra is here most particular in the register of the tribe of Judah is because it was that tribe which, with its appendages, Simeon, Benjamin, and Levi, made up the kingdom of Judah, which not only long survived the other tribes in Canaan, but in process of time, now when this was written, returned out of captivity, when the generality of the other tribes were lost in the kingdom of Assyria. The most remarkable person in this paragraph is Jabez. It is not said whose son he was, nor does it appear in what age he lived; but, it should seem, he was the founder of one of the families of Aharhel, mentioned
1Chr 4:8. Here is,
I. The reason of his name: his mother gave him the name with this reason,
Because I bore him with sorrow, 1Chr 4:9. All children are borne with sorrow (for the sentence upon the woman is,
In sorrow shalt thou bring forth children ), but some with much more sorrow than others. Usually the sorrow in bearing is afterwards forgotten
for joy that the child is born; but here it seems it was so extraordinary that it was remembered when the child came to be circumcised, and care was taken to perpetuate the remembrance of it while he lived. Perhaps the mother called Habez, as Rachel called her son Benoni, when she was dying of the sorrow. Or, if she recovered it, yet thus she recorded it, 1. That it might be a continual memorandum to herself, to be thankful to God as long as she lived for supporting her under and bringing her through that sorrow. It may be of use to be often reminded of our sorrows, that we may always have such thoughts of things as we had in the day of our affliction, and may learn to rejoice with trembling. 2. That it might likewise be a memorandum to him what this world is into which she bore him, a vale of tears, in which he must expect
few days and full of trouble. The sorrow he carried in his name might help to put a seriousness upon his spirit. It might also remind him to love and honour his mother, and labour, in every thing, to be a comfort to her who brought him into the world with so much sorrow. It is piety in children thus to requite their parents,
1Tim 5:4.
II. The eminence of his character:
He was more honourable than his brethren, qualified above them by the divine grace and dignified above them by the divine providence; they did virtuously, but he excelled them all. Now the sorrow with which his mother bore him was abundantly recompensed. That son which of all her children cost her most dear she was most happy in, and was made glad in proportion to the affliction,
Pss 90:15. We are not told upon what account he was
more honourable than his brethren, whether because he raised a greater estate, or was preferred to the magistracy, or signalized himself in war; we have most reason to think it was upon the account of his learning and piety, not only because these, above any thing, put honour upon a man, but because we have reason to think that in these Jabez was eminent. 1. In learning, because we find that
the families of the scribes dwelt at Jabez (
1Chr 2:55), a city which, it is likely, took its name from him. The Jews say that he was a famous doctor of the law and left many disciples behind him. And it should seem, by the mentioning of him so abruptly here, that his name was well known when Ezra wrote this. 2. In piety, because we find here that he was a praying man. His inclination to devotion made him truly honourable, and by prayer he obtained those blessings from God which added much to his honour. The way to be truly great is to be truly good and to pray much.
III. The prayer he made, probably like Solomon's prayer for wisdom, just when he was setting out in the world. He set himself to acknowledge God in all his ways, put himself under the divine blessing and protection, and prospered accordingly. Perhaps these were the heads on which he enlarged in his daily prayers; for this purpose it was his constant practice to pray alone, and with his family, as Daniel. Some think that it was upon some particular occasion, when he was straitened and threatened by his enemies, that he prayed this prayer. Observe,
1. To whom he prayed, not to any of the gods of the Gentiles; no, he
called on the God of Israel, the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer, and in prayer had an eye to him as the God of Israel, a God in covenant with his people, the God with whom Jacob wrestled and prevailed and was thence called Israel.
2. What was the nature of his prayer. (1.) As the
margin reads it, it was a solemn vow -
If thou wilt bless me indeed, etc. and then the sense is imperfect, but may easily be filled up from Jacob's vow, or some such like -
then thou shalt be my God. He did not express his promise, but left it to be understood, either because he was afraid to promise in his own strength or because he resolved to devote himself entirely to God. He does, as it were, give God a blank paper, let him write what he pleases: Lord, if thou wilt bless me and keep me, do what thou wilt with me, I will be at thy command and disposal for ever. (2.) As the
text reads it, it was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire:
O that thou wouldst bless me! 3. What was the matter of his prayer. Four things he prayed for: - (1.) That God would bless him indeed: That,
blessing, thou wilt bless me, bless me greatly with manifold and abundant blessings. Perhaps he had an eye to the promise God made to Abraham (
Gen 22:17),
In blessing, I will bless thee. Let that blessing of Abraham come upon me. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings, and those are blessed indeed who are blessed with them. God's blessings are real things and produce real effects. We can but wish a blessing: he commands it. Those whom he blesses are blessed indeed. (2.) That he would enlarge his coast, that he would prosper his endeavours for the increase of what fell to his lot either by work or war. That God would enlarge our hearts, and so enlarge our portion in himself and in the heavenly Canaan, ought to be our desire and prayer. (3.) That God's hand might be with him. The prayer of Moses for this tribe of Judah was, That his own
hands might be sufficient for him, Deut 33:7; but Jabez expects not that this can be the case, unless he have
God's hand with him and the presence of his power. God's hand with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all our works in us and for us, is indeed a hand sufficient for us, all-sufficient. (4.) That he would keep him from evil, the evil of sin, the evil of trouble, all the evil designs of his enemies, that they might not hurt him, nor grieve him, nor make him a
Jabez indeed,
a man of sorrow: in the original there is an allusion to his name.
Father in heaven, deliver me from evil.
4. What was the success of his prayer:
God granted him that which he requested, prospered him remarkably, and gave him success in his undertakings, in his studies, in his worldly business, in his conflicts with the Canaanites, and so he became
more honourable than his brethren. God was of old always ready to hear prayer, and his ear is not yet heavy.
11 We may observe in these verses, 1. That here is a whole family of craftsmen, handicraft tradesmen, that applied themselves to all sorts of manufactures, in which they were ingenious and industrious above their neighbours,
1Chr 4:14. There was a valley where they lived which was, from them, called
the valley of craftsmen. Those that are craftsmen are not therefore to be looked upon as mean men. These craftsmen, though two of a trade often disagree, yet chose to live together, for the improving of arts by comparing notes, and that they might support one another's reputation. 2. That one of these married the daughter of Pharaoh (
1Chr 4:18), which was the common name of the kings of Egypt. If an Israelite in Egypt before the bondage began, while Joseph's merits were yet fresh in mind, was preferred to be the king's son-in-law, it is not to be thought strange: few Israelites could, like Moses, refuse an alliance with the court. 3. That another is said to be the
father of the house of those that wrought fine linen, 1Chr 4:21. It is inserted in their genealogy as their honour that they were the best weavers in the kingdom, and they brought up their children, from one generation to another, to the same business, not aiming to make them gentlemen. This Laadah is said to be the
father of those that wrought fine linen, as before the flood Jubal is said to be
the father of musicians and Jabal of
shepherds, etc. His posterity inhabited the city of Mareshah, the manufacture or staple commodity of which place was linen-cloth, with which their kings and priests were clothed. 4. That another family had had
dominion in Moab, but were now in
servitude in Babylon, 1Chr 4:22,
1Chr 4:23. (1.) It was found among the
ancient things that they had the
dominion in Moab. Probably in David's time, when that country was conquered, they transplanted themselves thither, and were put in places of power there, which they held for several generations; but this was a great while ago, time out of mind. (2.) Their posterity were now potters and gardeners, as is supposed in Babylon, where they
dwelt with the king for his work, got a good livelihood by their industry, and therefore cared not for returning with their brethren to their own land, after the years of captivity had expired. Those that now have dominion know not what their posterity may be reduced to, nor what mean employments they may be glad to take up with. But those were unworthy the name of
Israelites that would dwell among
plants and hedges rather than be at the pains to return to Canaan.
24 We have here some of the genealogies of the tribe of Simeon (though it was not a tribe of great note), especially the princes of that tribe,
1Chr 4:38. Of this tribe it is said that they
increased greatly, but
not like the children of Judah, 1Chr 4:27. Those whom God increases ought to be thankful, though they see others that are more increased. Here observe, 1. The cities allotted them (
1Chr 4:28), of which see
Josh 19:1, etc. When it is said that they were theirs
unto the reign of David (
1Chr 4:31) intimation is given that when the ten tribes revolted from the house of David many of the Simeonites quitted these cities, because they lay within Judah, and seated themselves elsewhere. 2. The ground they got elsewhere. When those of this tribe that revolted from the house of David were carried captive with the rest into Assyria those that adhered to Judah were remarkably owned of God and prospered in their endeavours to enlarge their coasts. It was in the days of Hezekiah that a generation of Simeonites, whose tribe had long crouched and truckled, was animated to make these bold efforts. (1.) Some of them attacked a place in Arabia, as it should seem, called
the entrance of Gedor, inhabited by the posterity of accursed Ham (
1Chr 4:40), made themselves masters of it, and dwelt there. This adds to the glory of Hezekiah's pious reign, that, as his kingdom in general prospered, so did particular families. It is said that they found fat pastures, and yet
the land was quiet; even when the kings of Assyria were giving disturbance to all their neighbours this land escaped their alarms. The inhabitants being shepherds, who molested none, were not themselves molested, till the Simeonites came and drove them out and succeeded them, not only in the plenty, but in the peace, of their land. Those who dwell (as we do) in a fruitful country, and whose land is wide, and quiet, and peaceable, have reason to own themselves indebted to that God who
appoints the bounds of our habitation. (2.) Others of them, to the number of 500, under the command of four brethren here named, made a descent upon Mount Seir, and smote the remainder of the devoted Amalekites, and took possession of their country,
1Chr 4:42,
1Chr 4:43. Now the curses on Ham and Amalek had a further accomplishment, when they seemed dormant, if not dead; as had also the curse on Simeon, that he should be divided and scattered (
Gen 49:7): yet to him it was turned into a blessing, for the families of Simeon, which thus transplanted themselves into those distant countries, are said to
dwell there unto this day (
1Chr 4:43), by which it should seem they escaped the calamities of the captivity. Providence sometimes sends those out of trouble that are designed for preservation.
