Jabez quite probably overcame adverse circumstances of birth to achieve a place of honor in his ancient society.
In the I Book of Chronicles Jabez is a well-respected man (ancestor in the lineage of the kings tribe of Judah whose prayer to God for blessing was answered, see 1 Chronicles 4:9-10. Moreover the author paused in this long list to give Jabez a place of honour in the long list of Kings and lineage. The name Jabez trans lates to the word pain, and was given to him because of the pain his mother suffered while bearing him, and the continual pain brought to the people around him.