1 Samuel 1: Hannah prays for a son, and Samuel is born and given to Yahweh
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Hebrew. How to read a study
What happens?
Elkanah of the hill country of Ephraim has two wives: Peninnah has children, but Yahweh has shut up Hannah's womb, and every year at Shiloh her rival provokes her until she weeps and will not eat. Hannah prays to Yahweh in bitterness of soul and vows that if he gives her a son, she will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor will come on his head. Eli the priest thinks she is drunk, but when she tells him she has been pouring out her soul before Yahweh, he blesses her. Yahweh remembers her, she bears a son and names him Samuel, "because I have asked him of Yahweh". When he is weaned, she brings him to Eli at Shiloh and gives him to Yahweh.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells the story. No verse is in gold: God speaks no words in this chapter. Elkanah speaks to Hannah in verses 8 and 23. Hannah makes her vow to Yahweh in verse 11: it is her own prayer. Eli speaks to her in verses 14 and 17, and she answers him in verses 15, 16 and 18. Hannah names her son in verse 20, speaks to her husband in verse 22, and to Eli in verses 26 to 28. Verse 19, that Yahweh remembered her, is the narrator's words. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim Zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
In plain English: There was a man from Ramathaim Zophim, in the hill country of Ephraim. His name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite (or: an Ephrathite).
Good to know: Ramathaim Zophim is the long name of Elkanah's home town. Verse 19 calls it Ramah. "Ephraimite" is ephrathi, which the dictionary gives as "an Ephrathite or an Ephraimite" (see the note on ). Here the text places Elkanah in the hill country of Ephraim. , and to list Elkanah and Samuel among the Kohathites, the family of Levi. The text here does not speak of it.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
2He had two wives. The name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
In plain English: He had two wives. One was named Hannah, and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
3This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Armies in Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, priests to Yahweh, were there.
In plain English: Every year this man went up from his town to worship (literally: to bow down) and to sacrifice to Yahweh of Armies at Shiloh. The two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of Yahweh there.
Good to know: This is the first verse in this Bible that names God "Yahweh of Armies". "Armies" is tseba'ot, from tsaba, which the dictionary gives as "a mass of persons ... especially ... organized for war (an army)". The text does not say which armies are meant. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) keeps the Hebrew word: "the Lord God of Sabaoth".
Good to know: Shiloh is where Israel set up the Tent of Meeting in Joshua's day (). This chapter calls the place "Yahweh's house" (verses 7 and 24) and "Yahweh's temple" (verse 9), and speaks of "the door of the Tent of Meeting". The text does not describe the building.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
4When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters;
In plain English: On the day Elkanah sacrificed, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters,
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
5but he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had shut up her womb.
In plain English: but to Hannah he gave a double portion (or: one special portion; the Hebrew here is hard to follow), because he loved Hannah, though Yahweh had shut up (literally: closed) her womb.
The Hebrew word: The Hebrew here is hard to follow. "Double" is appayim, from aph, which the dictionary gives as "properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face". Word for word, the verse says he gave Hannah "one portion" and then this word.
What changes: Read as "a double portion", Elkanah gave Hannah twice as much as the others, because he loved her. Read as "one portion", he gave her one share, perhaps a special one (a portion "of the face", that is, of honor). The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "a prime portion, because she had no child". Either way, the verse says he loved Hannah, and that Yahweh had shut up her womb.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
6Her rival provoked her severely, to irritate her, because Yahweh had shut up her womb.
In plain English: Her rival provoked her bitterly (literally: provoked her with provocation), to upset her, because Yahweh had shut up her womb.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
7So year by year, when she went up to Yahweh’s house, her rival provoked her. Therefore she wept, and didn’t eat.
In plain English: So it went (or: so he did) year after year. Whenever she went up to Yahweh's house, her rival provoked her. So she wept and would not eat.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
8Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
In plain English: Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? Why are you not eating? Why is your heart so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
9So Hannah rose up after they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of Yahweh’s temple.
In plain English: After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah got up. Eli the priest was sitting on his seat by the doorpost of Yahweh's temple.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
10She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to Yahweh, weeping bitterly.
In plain English: She was bitter in her soul. She prayed to Yahweh and wept bitterly (literally: weeping, she wept).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
11She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
In plain English: She made a vow and said, "Yahweh of Armies, if you will truly look at the trouble (this Bible: affliction) of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but give your servant a boy (literally: a seed of men), then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor will come on his head."
Good to know: "No razor shall come on his head" are the words of the Nazirite vow in , and the words the angel said of Samson before he was born (). The Hebrew of this verse does not use the word Nazirite. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) adds that "he shall drink no wine nor strong drink". The vow is Hannah's own: the text does not say that Yahweh asked for it.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
12As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth.
In plain English: As she went on praying before Yahweh, Eli was watching her mouth.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
13Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
In plain English: Hannah was speaking in her heart. Only her lips moved, and her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
14Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Get rid of your wine!”
In plain English: Eli said to her, "How long will you go on being drunk? Put away your wine!"
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
15Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have not been drinking wine or strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh.
In plain English: Hannah answered, "No, my lord. I am a woman troubled in spirit (literally: hard of spirit; this Bible: of a sorrowful spirit). I have not drunk wine or strong drink. I have been pouring out my soul before Yahweh.
The Hebrew words: "Of a sorrowful spirit" is literally "hard of spirit": qasheh, which the dictionary gives as "severe (in various applications)", with ruach, the word for wind, breath and spirit (see the note on ).
What changes: Read as "a sorrowful spirit", Hannah says she is weighed down with grief inside. Read as "hard" or "severe", she says her life is hard on her. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "I live in a hard day". Either way, she tells Eli she has not been drinking, but praying.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
16Don’t consider your servant a wicked woman; for I have been speaking out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation.”
In plain English: Do not take your servant for a worthless woman (literally: a daughter of Belial; this Bible: a wicked woman). All this time (literally: until now) I have been speaking out of my great distress (literally: the greatness of my complaint) and my grief (this Bible: my provocation)."
The Hebrew word: "A wicked woman" is literally "a daughter of beliya'al". The dictionary gives beliya'al as "without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness".
How it is translated: This Bible says "wicked" or a longer form in 16 of the 26 verses that use beliya'al, and "worthless" or a longer form in 7. In Eli's own sons are called "sons of beliya'al".
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
17Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him.”
In plain English: Then Eli answered, "Go in peace. May the God of Israel give you what you have asked of him (this Bible: grant your petition)."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
18She said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” So the woman went her way and ate; and her facial expression wasn’t sad any more.
In plain English: She said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes (this Bible: sight)." Then the woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
19They rose up in the morning early and worshiped Yahweh, then returned and came to their house to Ramah. Then Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and Yahweh remembered her.
In plain English: They got up early in the morning and worshiped (literally: bowed down) before Yahweh. Then they went back home to Ramah. Elkanah lay with (literally: knew) Hannah his wife, and Yahweh remembered her.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
20When the time had come, Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked him of Yahweh.”
In plain English: In due time (literally: at the turn of the days) Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, "Because I asked Yahweh for him."
The Hebrew word: "Asked" is sha'al, which the dictionary gives as "to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand". The text gives the reason for the name in Hannah's own words: "Because I have asked him of Yahweh." The dictionary gives Samuel only as "the name of three Israelites", with no meaning. The same word "asked" is in Eli's blessing in verse 17, in Hannah's words in verses 27 and 28, and in Eli's blessing in .
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
21The man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice and his vow.
In plain English: The man Elkanah and all his household went up to offer to Yahweh the yearly sacrifice (literally: the sacrifice of the days) and his vow.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
22But Hannah didn’t go up, for she said to her husband, “Not until the child is weaned; then I will bring him, that he may appear before Yahweh, and stay there forever.”
In plain English: But Hannah did not go up, because she said to her husband, "Not until the child is weaned. Then I will bring him, so that he may appear before Yahweh and stay there forever (literally: until all time)."
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
23Elkanah her husband said to her, “Do what seems good to you. Wait until you have weaned him; only may Yahweh establish his word.” So the woman waited and nursed her son until she weaned him.
In plain English: Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems good to you (literally: in your eyes). Wait until you have weaned him. Only may Yahweh make his word stand (this Bible: establish his word)." So the woman stayed and nursed her son until she weaned him.
Good to know: Elkanah says "may Yahweh establish his word", but the text has told of no word from Yahweh about the child. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "may the Lord establish that which comes out of thy mouth".
What changes: Read as "his word", Elkanah asks Yahweh to make his own word stand, and the text does not say what that word is. Read as "your word", he asks Yahweh to let Hannah keep the vow she made in verse 11. Either way, Hannah stays at home until the child is weaned.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
24When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, and one ephah of meal, and a container of wine, and brought him to Yahweh’s house in Shiloh. The child was young.
In plain English: When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour (this Bible: meal) and a skin (this Bible: container) of wine, and brought him to Yahweh's house in Shiloh. The child was young (literally: the boy was a boy).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
25They killed the bull, and brought the child to Eli.
In plain English: They slaughtered the bull and brought the child to Eli.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
26She said, “Oh, my lord, as your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.
In plain English: She said, "Oh, my lord! As surely as you live (literally: as your soul lives), my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to Yahweh.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
27I prayed for this child, and Yahweh has given me my petition which I asked of him.
In plain English: I prayed for this child, and Yahweh has given me what I asked of him (this Bible: my petition which I asked of him).
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.
28Therefore I have also given him to Yahweh. As long as he lives he is given to Yahweh.” He worshiped Yahweh there.
In plain English: So I, too, have given him (or: lent him; literally: made him asked) to Yahweh. For as long as he lives, he is given (or: lent; literally: asked) to Yahweh." And he worshiped (literally: bowed down to) Yahweh there.
The Hebrew word: "Given" here is the same word sha'al, "asked" (see the note on verse 20), used twice: literally "I have made him asked to Yahweh" and "he is asked to Yahweh". Hannah asked Yahweh for the boy, and now she gives him to Yahweh. The old Greek translation in this collection (Brenton) has "I lend him to the Lord ... a loan to the Lord".
How it is translated: In 1 Samuel this Bible says "ask" or a longer form in 15 of the 28 verses that use sha'al.
Show the HebrewHide the Hebrew
How to say it (the stressed part in bold), the Hebrew word, and what it means. Tap a word with a dotted line to open its word study.