SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:10
E invocó Jabes al Dios de Israel, diciendo: ¡Oh si me dieras bendición, y ensancharas mi término, y si tu mano fuera conmigo, y me libraras de mal, que no me dañe! E hizo Dios que le viniese lo que pidió.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 10. And Jabez called on the God of Israel , etc.] Or prayed to him, as the Targum; though some understand it as a vow, promising what he would do if God would do thus and thus for him; the Syriac and Arabic versions read in the third person, taking it to be what others, his parents and friends, wished for him, let him bless thee , etc.] but they are doubtless his own words, and a supplication of his to the Lord: saying, oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed ; the Targum adds, with children; but he no doubt prayed for greater blessings than any outward or temporal ones are, even spiritual blessings, covenant blessings, the sure mercies of David, which are solid, substantial, durable, and irreversible: and enlarge my coast ; the Targum is, “multiply my borders with disciples.” It may be understood of an enlargement of the borders of his country, by expelling the Canaanites that might dwell in it, and of an increase of his worldly substance for good ends and purposes; or rather of a spiritual enlargement by deliverance from spiritual enemies, and of grace as to exercise; and particularly of spiritual light and knowledge, and of the affections and desires of the soul after divine things, (see Psalm 4:1 119:32 1 Kings 4:29 2 Corinthians 6:11,12) and that thine hand might be with me ; the Targum adds, in business, prospering and succeeding him; the sense may be, that his hand of providence might be with him to protect him, of grace and love to comfort and help him in every time of need, of wisdom to direct him, and of power to keep him: and that thou wouldest keep me from evil ; from the evil of affliction, and especially from the evil of sin, and from the evil one, Satan, and from all evil men and evil company; the Targum is, ``and make me companions such as I am:” that it may not grieve me; alluding to his name Jabez, which he had from the sorrow and grief of his mother; and nothing is more grieving to a good man than the evil of sin, so contrary to the nature and will of God, being committed against a God of infinite love, grace, and mercy, whereby the name, ways, and truths of Christ are dishonoured, and the Spirit of God grieved, and saints are bereaved of much comfort; and therefore desire to be kept from it, knowing they cannot keep themselves, but the Lord can and will, at least from the tyranny of it, and destruction by it: the Targum is, “lest the evil figment (or corruption of nature) should move or provoke me:” and God granted him that which he requested ; as he does whatever is asked in faith, according to his will, and will make for his glory, and the good of his people; (see 1 John 5:14,15).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Genealogies.
--In this chapter we have a further account of Judah, the most numerou and most famous of all the tribes; also an account of Simeon. The mos remarkable person in this chapter is Jabez. We are not told upon what account Jabez was more honourable than his brethren; but we find tha he was a praying man. The way to be truly great, is to seek to do God' will, and to pray earnestly. Here is the prayer he made. Jabez praye to the living and true God, who alone can hear and answer prayer; and in prayer he regarded him as a God in covenant with his people. He doe not express his promise, but leaves it to be understood; he was afrai to promise in his own strength, and resolved to devote himself entirel to God. 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. As the text read it, this was the language of a most ardent and affectionate desire, O that thou wouldest bless me! Four things Jabez prayed for. 1. That God would bless him indeed. Spiritual blessings are the best blessings God's blessings are real things, and produce real effects. 2. That He would enlarge his coast. That God would enlarge our hearts, and s 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. God's han with us, to lead us, protect us, strengthen us, and to work all ou works in us and for us, is a hand all-sufficient for us. 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, nor make him Jabez indeed, a man of sorrow. God granted that which he requested. God is ever ready to hear prayer: his ear is not now heavy __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויקרא 7121 יעבץ 3258 לאלהי 430 ישׂראל 3478 לאמר 559 אם 518 ברך 1288 תברכני 1288 והרבית 7235 את 853 גבולי 1366 והיתה 1961 ידך 3027 עמי 5973 ועשׂית 6213 מרעה 7451 לבלתי 1115 עצבי 6087 ויבא 935 אלהים 430 את 853 אשׁר 834 שׁאל׃ 7592
