Jabez - how to pronounce?

[zozzle]

The Biblical name Jabez - I?m assuming it?s pronounced Jay-bez, but I saw a thread that says it needs to be pronounced properly which made me think that maybe the obvious pronounciation isn?t correct.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

well there used to be a nightclub in Manchester called Jabez Clegg and it was pronounced with a short 'a' - so Jah-bez. Hope that helps! That doesn't necessarily mean it's the right way though...

Definately a short soft 'a', so more like squeezy says - 'Jah-bez'. Never Jaybex in my book, sorry!

Or even never Jay-bez of course!

Ah, I remember Jabez Clegg!
I have a friend named Japheth (also biblical) and that's pronounce Jay-fith.

According to "Behind the name" it is pronounced JAY-bez in English, meaning 'sorrow'. Last popular in the C17th amongst Puritans (he had a good work ethic apparently). In Hebrew it woudl be ya-bez. You might want to know that there is a Christian movement centred on The Prayer of Jabez: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prayer_of_Jabez. Looks like the Americans pronounce Jah-behz. So a bit of choice for you I guess.

Thanks guys! Its a family name stretching way back.

I used to work in Jabez Clegg and yes it was pronounced with a short 'a' but not sure if that is the correct biblical pronounciation.

It's a lovely name either way, really strong. Was also popular in the 19th century amongst the Dissenting movement - I have a couple of Methodist ancestors with this name.