References (11)
And he had two wives, one named Hannah [Hebr. Channah, from Hebr. chanan, meaning "grace"] and the other named Penina [meaning "jewel"], and Penina had children but Hannah had no children.
[The first polygamist mentioned in the Bible is Lamech (in the sixth generation from Adam and a descendant of Cain, the brother murderer) who boasted about killing a man, see . God's original plan was for one man and one woman to be married, see ; ; ; ; . A king should not take many wives, see ; . Although the Bible does not say "it was wrong" on every occasion, each example shows the jealousy and all the problems that polygamy brings, see ; .]
but to Hannah (Hebr. Channah) he gave a double (single) portion, for he loved Hannah, even though the Lord (Yahweh) had closed her womb.
[The Hebrew literally says, "a portion of the two faces (nostrils)," which can be interpreted as food for two people, or that she only received one portion, and this upset Elkanah. The Greek translation has "only one." It depends on how one interprets "face," which here is in the dual form. Either two people, or anger and wrath.]
And Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why are you crying? And why are you not eating? And why is your heart grieving? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
Hannah rose after they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk. Now the priest Eli was sitting on his chair [seat; a sign of his office] by the doorpost of the Lord's (Yahweh's) building (palace, temple – Hebr. hechal).
But Hannah spoke in her heart, her lips moved, but her voice was not heard, so Eli thought she was drunk,
But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman with a deeply troubled spirit; I have not drunk wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord (Yahweh).
And they rose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord (Yahweh) and returned and came to their home in Ramah, and Elkanah knew (had intercourse with) his wife Hannah, and the Lord (Yahweh) remembered her.
And it came to pass, when the time was come, that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel [meaning "God hears prayer" – Hebr. Shmoel] – "because I have asked him of the Lord (Yahweh)."
Hannah (Hebr. Channah) did not go with them, but said to her husband, "I will wait until the boy is weaned. Then I will take him with me and bring him before the Lord (Yahweh), and he shall remain there forever." [Hebrew children were normally breastfed until they were two or three years old.]
So Hannah prayed [she praises God in the following prayer and song of praise]:
"My heart rejoices (triumphs victoriously with jubilation) in the Lord (Yahweh),
my horn is exalted (I have my strength) in the Lord (Yahweh).
I can open my mouth (dare to speak boldly) against my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation.
Then the Lord (Yahweh) remembered Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the young Samuel grew up (grew up) with the Lord (Yahweh).
