Hannah's Prayer for a Son
1 Samuel 1:1-20
1 S.1.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- מן: PREP
- הרמתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- צופים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מהר: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- אפרים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמו: CONJ,NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- אלקנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ירחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אליהוא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תחו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צוף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אפרתי: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 7:17 (structural): Same geographic locus: Samuel later ‘dwelt at Ramah’ and judged Israel there, connecting his later ministry to his origin at Ramathaim/Ramah.
- 1 Samuel 9:5 (verbal): Mentions the ‘land of Zuph’—the personal/tribal name Tzuph in 1 Sam 1:1 (ben‑Tzuph) ties the family to this locality.
- 1 Samuel 19:18 (allusion): Refers to Naioth in Ramah where Samuel’s prophetic community is located, reinforcing Ramah/Ramathaim as Samuel’s home and cultic center.
- Luke 1:5 (structural): Parallel narrative technique: an opening biographical formula introducing a central figure by place and lineage (Zechariah’s priestly division), similar to Elkanah’s introduction by hometown and genealogy.
Alternative generated candidates
- There was a certain man of Ramathaim‑zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim; his name was Elkanah, son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephrathite.
- And there was a certain man of Ramah, of the highlands of Ephraim; and his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
1 S.1.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- נשים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שם: ADV
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השנית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- פננה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לפננה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ילדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ולחנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- ילדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 30:1-2 (verbal): Rachel's complaint to Jacob about being barren and the rivalry with her sister (Leah) parallels the two-wife rivalry and the contrast between fertile and barren wives in 1 Samuel 1:2.
- Genesis 29:31 (thematic): Leah is given children while Rachel is barren—an earlier instance of the motif of sister/wife rivalry and divine granting of offspring that frames Hannah and Peninnah's situation.
- Judges 13:2 (thematic): Manoah's wife is barren (childless) before the birth of Samson; another example of the biblical motif of a previously barren woman connected with the birth of a significant child.
- Luke 1:7 (allusion): Elizabeth is described as childless though righteous, echoing the theme of a God-favored woman who is initially barren (paralleling Hannah) that appears in the New Testament narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
- He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1 S.1.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועלה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- מעירו: PREP+NOUN,עיר,m,sg,abs,suff:3,m
- מימים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ימימה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- להשתחות: INF,hitpael
- ולזבח: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בשלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- חפני: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- ופנחס: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כהנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 18:1 (structural): Identifies Shiloh as the central place of assembly/tent of meeting where Israel came to worship, paralleling the setting of annual worship in 1 Samuel 1:3.
- 1 Samuel 2:12-17 (thematic): Describes the corrupt conduct of Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas in their priestly office, providing immediate thematic contrast to the worship activity noted in 1 Samuel 1:3.
- 1 Samuel 4:11 (thematic): Reports the death of Hophni and Phinehas and the capture of the ark—narratively connects the priests named in 1 Samuel 1:3 with their eventual fate.
- Leviticus 10:1-3 (allusion): Accounts of priestly misconduct (Nadab and Abihu) and divine judgment serve as a legal/ritual background for understanding expectations and consequences for priests like Hophni and Phinehas.
- 1 Samuel 1:24 (structural): Immediate narrative follow-up: Hannah brings the child Samuel to Eli the priest at Shiloh, continuing the ritual and cultic context introduced in 1 Samuel 1:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- Year by year this man went up from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.
- This man used to go up from his city year by year to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD there.
1 S.1.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויזבח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- אלקנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לפננה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- ולכל: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בניה: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3,m
- ובנותיה: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מנות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:5 (verbal): Immediate parallel/continuation in the narrative: repeats that Elkanah gave Hannah a double portion because he loved her, and introduces the contrast of Hannah's barrenness (the LORD had shut her womb).
- Deuteronomy 21:17 (thematic): Law concerning the firstborn's double portion—connects to the motif of assigning a 'double portion' within a household and issues of inheritance/privilege.
- Genesis 29:31–35 (thematic): Leah is loved less than Rachel but is given children while Rachel is barren—parallels the tension between spousal love and differential childbearing/fertility in a polygynous household.
- Psalm 127:3 (thematic): Portrays children as a gift/heritage from the LORD, echoing the underlying concern in the narrative about offspring and divine control over fertility.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the day came, Elkanah would sacrifice and give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.
- When the day came, Elkanah would sacrifice, and he would give to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters portions.
1 S.1.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולחנה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- מנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- אפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אהב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ויהוה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סגר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- רחמה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,f
Parallels
- Genesis 29:31 (thematic): Mentions Rachel’s barrenness and God’s role in opening or closing wombs within a family-marriage rivalry context (Leah/Rachel), paralleling Hannah/Peninnah dynamics.
- Genesis 30:22 (verbal): “God remembered Rachel, and he opened her womb” — closely related language and theme (barrenness relieved by divine action) contrasting with Hannah’s womb being shut.
- Genesis 21:1-2 (thematic): The account of Sarah conceiving Isaac in old age after God’s intervention parallels the motif of a barren woman given a child by God’s direct action.
- Psalm 113:9 (thematic): “He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children” — a liturgical/theological reflection on God reversing barrenness, echoing Hannah’s situation.
- Luke 1:7,13-17 (thematic): Elizabeth’s barrenness and the angelic promise of John the Baptist echo the biblical motif of God opening a closed womb and rewarding faith/faithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- But to Hannah he gave a single portion, for he loved Hannah; and the LORD had closed her womb.
- But to Hannah he gave a special portion, for he loved Hannah; and the LORD had closed her womb.
1 S.1.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכעסתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- צרתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- גם: ADV
- כעס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעבור: PREP
- הרעמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- סגר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעד: PREP
- רחמה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,f
Parallels
- Genesis 29:31 (structural): Co-wife rivalry over childbearing; text immediately links the LORD’s action on wombs to the dynamic between Leah and Rachel (contrast: LORD opens Leah’s womb whereas here he 'shut up' Hannah’s).
- Genesis 30:1 (thematic): Rachel envies Leah for children and objects to Jacob—an explicit parallel of a barren wife provoked by a fertile rival, matching Peninnah’s provocation of Hannah.
- Genesis 16:5–6 (thematic): Sarai mistreats Hagar after Hagar becomes pregnant; similar motif of rivalry and harsh treatment tied to differences in fertility among co-wives.
- Genesis 20:18 (verbal): Uses the same theological language that God 'shut up' or 'closed' wombs—explicit verbal parallel about the LORD’s action in barrenness.
- Luke 1:7 (allusion): Elizabeth is described as barren though righteous; the Elizabeth/Zechariah story echoes the Hannah motif of a barren woman whom God later answers, and NT writers draw literary/theological connections to Hannah’s experience.
Alternative generated candidates
- Her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
- And her rival provoked her sorely to vex her, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
1 S.1.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכן: ADV
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מדי: PREP
- עלתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כן: ADV
- תכעסנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ותבכה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- תאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:6 (structural): Immediate context: explains why Peninnah provoked Hannah year by year—Peninnah provoked her to irritate her because the LORD had closed her womb; directly linked to the provocation described in 1 Samuel 1:7.
- 1 Samuel 1:10–11 (thematic): Hannah's ensuing response to the provocation—she is in bitterness of soul, weeps, and prays to the LORD, pouring out her complaint and vow; continues the scene of mourning and refusal to eat.
- Psalm 42:3 (thematic): Expresses sorrow that affects appetite: 'My tears have been my food day and night,' paralleling Hannah's weeping and not eating as a result of grief.
- Genesis 30:1 (thematic): Rachel's jealousy/envy of Leah over childbearing introduces the motif of rival wives and provocation linked to fertility—parallel to Peninnah's provocation of Hannah because of Hannah's barrenness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus year by year, whenever she went up to the house of the LORD, she would be provoked; so she wept and would not eat.
- So it would be year by year, when she went up with him to the house of the LORD, that she provoked her; therefore she wept and did not eat.
1 S.1.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- אלקנה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אישה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חנה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- תבכי: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,f,sg
- ולמה: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תאכלי: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,f,sg
- ולמה: CONJ
- ירע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לבבך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- הלוא: PART
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- טוב: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- מעשרה: PREP+NUM,10,m
- בנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- No parallels.
Alternative generated candidates
- Her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
- Then Elkanah her husband said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you not eat? and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?"
1 S.1.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותקם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- אכלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בשלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואחרי: CONJ
- שתה: VERB,qal,impv,2,sg
- ועלי: CONJ,PREP
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ישב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הכסא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- מזוזת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:10 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation: after Hannah rises she pours out her soul in prayer and weeping before the LORD — direct verbal and situational link to verse 1:9's setting (Hannah rising in Shiloh before Eli).
- 1 Samuel 1:24 (thematic): Later in the same story Hannah brings the weaned Samuel to Shiloh and presents him to Eli the priest, reinforcing the connection between Hannah, Eli, and the sanctuary location introduced in 1:9.
- 1 Samuel 3:2–3 (structural): Depicts Eli stationed in the house of the LORD and Samuel sleeping in the temple where the ark was — echoes the temple setting and Eli’s priestly presence established in 1:9.
- Joshua 18:1 (structural): Identifies Shiloh as the assembly-place where the tent/meeting was set up — provides the cultic and geographical background for Hannah’s act of rising and praying in Shiloh.
Alternative generated candidates
- After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.
- And Hannah arose after they had eaten at Shiloh; and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the LORD's house.
1 S.1.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיא: CONJ+PRON,3,f,sg
- מרת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותתפלל: VERB,hitp,impf,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ובכה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תבכה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (structural): Immediate continuation of the scene: Hannah moves from bitter weeping to a direct prayer-vow to the LORD (asking for a son and promising dedication), showing the prayerful response to her anguish.
- 1 Samuel 1:15 (verbal): Hannah explicitly characterizes herself as a 'woman of a sorrowful spirit' who has 'poured out her soul before the LORD,' echoing the language and motive of 1:10's bitter weeping and prayer.
- Psalm 6:6 (verbal): Psalmist depicts unremitting sorrow and tears ('I am weary with my groaning... I water my couch with my tears'), a vivid verbal parallel to Hannah's prolonged weeping and lament before God.
- Psalm 42:3 (thematic): Expresses persistent weeping and longing for God ('My tears have been my food day and night'), thematically paralleling Hannah’s continual sorrow and prayerful appeal to the LORD.
- Exodus 2:23-25 (thematic): The Israelites 'cried' out in their affliction and God 'heard'—parallels the motif of crying to the LORD in distress and seeking divine intervention, as in Hannah’s prayerful weeping.
Alternative generated candidates
- She was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly.
- And she was bitter in soul, and she prayed to the LORD and wept greatly.
1 S.1.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותדר: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- נדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אם: CONJ
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בעני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+suff:1cs
- אמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- וזכרתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg+obj:1cs
- ולא: CONJ
- תשכח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- ונתתה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לאמתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- זרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונתתיו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- חייו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ומורה: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעלה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 13:3-5 (verbal): Angel announces Manoah’s wife will bear a son who must be a Nazirite; includes the specific prohibition 'no razor shall touch his head,' language echoed in Hannah’s vow.
- Numbers 6:1-5 (structural): The Nazirite regulations — vow of separation, abstaining from wine and not cutting hair — provide the legal/ritual framework that Hannah’s dedication (no razor on the child) alludes to.
- 1 Samuel 1:27-28 (structural): Immediate narrative fulfillment: Hannah bears a son and formally dedicates him to the LORD, handing Samuel over to serve before the LORD as she vowed.
- Luke 1:15-17 (thematic): Angelic announcement concerning John the Baptist describes a life set apart from the womb (e.g., abstinence from wine) and service to God — thematically parallel to dedicating a child for divine service.
- Luke 2:22-24 (thematic): Presentation/ritual dedication of Jesus at the temple (parents fulfilling vows/obligations) echoes the theme of presenting and dedicating an infant to the LORD as Hannah does.
Alternative generated candidates
- She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your servant and remember me, and not forget Your servant, but give to Your servant a son—then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head."
- And she vowed a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give to Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life; and no razor shall come upon his head."
1 S.1.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הרבתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- להתפלל: VERB,hitp,inf
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועלי: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- פיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,f
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (structural): הפסוק הקודם מתאר את הנדר והתפילה שלה לפני ה'; מהווה ההקשר המיידי לפעולתו של עלי שצופה בה.
- 1 Samuel 1:13 (structural): עלי מפרש את תנועת פיה כשכרות — המשך ישיר של הסצנה שבה הוא 'שמר את פיה' ומגיב בטעות.
- 1 Samuel 1:15 (verbal): חנה משיבה על הסתכלות עלי: 'שפכתי את נפשי לפני ה׳' — ניסוח המקשר ישירות לפעולת התפילה השקטה שמתוארת ב-1:12.
- 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (thematic): שירת התודה של חנה לאחר שהתפללה ונענתה; מהווה המשך ונקודת שיא לנושא התפילה והתשובה שהסצנה ב-1:12 מתחילה.
- Luke 1:46-55 (allusion): המגניפיקט של מרים מהברית החדשה מהדהד עם שירי הודיה ותמות ההיפוך שבחנה (ענו־רומם־שפל), קשר בין שתי נשים שמגיבות להתערבות אלוהית בדורות שונים.
Alternative generated candidates
- As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli marked her mouth.
- And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth.
1 S.1.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחנה: CONJ+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- מדברת: VERB,qal,part,3,f,sg
- על: PREP
- לבה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+suf:3,f
- רק: PRT
- שפתיה: NOUN,f,pl,abs+suf:3,f
- נעות: VERB,qal,part,3,f,pl
- וקולה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs+suf:3,f
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישמע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויחשבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לשכרה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+suf:3,f
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:12-15 (structural): Immediate context: the same episode — Hannah is praying silently, her lips move but no sound is heard, and Eli mistakes her for a drunkard.
- 1 Samuel 2:1-10 (thematic): Hannah’s later public song of thanksgiving (her prayer turned to praise) shows the outcome and theological meaning of the silent petition in ch.1.
- Luke 1:46-55 (thematic): Mary’s Magnificat parallels Hannah’s song (1 Sam 2) in themes of reversal, divine vindication, and praise by a humble woman after a divinely‑ordained conception.
- Luke 1:18-20 (allusion): Zechariah’s inability to speak after doubting the angelic message (he is struck mute) resonates with motifs of silence/speech around divine encounters and how others interpret extraordinary silence.
- Psalm 39:2 (verbal): The psalmist’s language about being mute or holding silence echoes the motif of inward speech and unvoiced prayer — lips or heart engaged though audible voice is withheld.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.
- For Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought her to be a drunken woman.
1 S.1.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עד: PREP
- מתי: ADV,int
- תשתכרין: VERB,hithpael,impf,2,f,sg
- הסירי: VERB,hiphil,impv,2,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יינך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,f
- מעליך: PREP,2,m
Parallels
- Acts 2:13-15 (thematic): At Pentecost observers accuse the apostles of being drunk while they are actually experiencing a spiritual outpouring—parallel to Eli’s misreading of Hannah’s silent praying as drunkenness.
- Leviticus 10:9 (structural): Priestly instruction not to drink wine or strong drink when entering the tent of meeting; connects Eli’s role as priest and his rebuke about wine in the sanctuary context.
- Numbers 6:3 (verbal): Language and practice of abstaining from wine in the Nazirite vow (“shall separate himself from wine”); verbal parallel to the command to ‘remove your wine’.
- Judges 13:4-5 (thematic): Announced birth of a divinely appointed son with injunctions about abstaining from wine for the mother/child (Samson); thematically parallels Hannah’s barrenness, prayer, and birth of Samuel and concerns about alcohol.
Alternative generated candidates
- Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunken? Put away your wine from you."
- And Eli said to her, "How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine from you."
1 S.1.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותען: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,pl
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- ויין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושכר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- שתיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- ואשפך: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 62:8 (verbal): Psalm urges believers to 'pour out your heart before him' (Heb. pour out), echoing Hannah's phrase 'I have poured out my soul before the LORD'—a close lexical/verbal parallel about pouring out inner distress to God.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (structural): Earlier in the same scene Hannah makes a solemn vow that if God gives her a son she will dedicate him to the LORD; both verses show the same episode of intense petitioning and vow-making, providing structural coherence to her prayer narrative.
- 1 Samuel 2:1 (thematic): Hannah's song of praise after Samuel's birth develops the themes of sorrow turned to joy and God’s intervention introduced in 1:15 ('poured out my soul'), serving as the theological and emotional resolution of her earlier lament.
- Judges 13:4-5 (thematic): The angel announces that Manoah’s barren wife will bear Samson, who is to be a Nazirite (no wine); Hannah’s explicit denial of wine/strong drink while pleading for a child parallels the association of abstinence and the birth of a divinely appointed child.
- Genesis 30:1 (thematic): Rachel’s bitter rivalry with Leah over childlessness ('Give me children, or I die') parallels Hannah’s situation of infertility and the antagonism between wives (Hannah and Peninnah), highlighting the recurring biblical motif of barrenness, rivalry, and desperate petitioning for a son.
Alternative generated candidates
- But Hannah answered, "No, my lord; I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
- Then Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord; I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have not drunk wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD."
1 S.1.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- בליעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שיחי: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- וכעסי: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,suff
- דברתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- עד: PREP
- הנה: PART
Parallels
- No parallels.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking until now out of my great anxiety and provocation."
- Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and vexation I have spoken until now."
1 S.1.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- לשלום: PREP
- ואלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יתן: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שלתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שאלת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- מעמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- No parallels.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Eli answered, "Go in peace; and the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of him."
- Then Eli answered and said, "Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant you the petition that you have asked of Him."
1 S.1.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- תמצא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שפחתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- חן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- ותלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לדרכה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,3fs
- ותאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ופניה: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3fs
- לא: PART_NEG
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- עוד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 1:17 (verbal): Immediate narrative parallel: Eli pronounces blessing and the woman 'went her way and did eat; and her countenance was no more sad'—same event and near-identical wording.
- 1 Samuel 2:1 (structural): Direct continuation: Hannah's prayer/song expresses the joy and thanksgiving that follow the change in her countenance, thematically completing the episode.
- Numbers 6:24-26 (verbal): Priestly blessing invokes God's face/shine ('The LORD make his face to shine upon thee'), linking a favorable divine countenance with blessing and well-being—themes echoed in Hannah's restored countenance.
- Exodus 34:29-30 (thematic): Moses' face becomes visibly altered (shining) after encountering God; both passages present a changed facial appearance as a sign of divine presence or favor.
- Psalm 30:11-12 (thematic): The psalmist celebrates God turning mourning into joy ('You have turned my mourning into dancing'), paralleling Hannah's reversal from sorrow to gladness and restored composure.
Alternative generated candidates
- She said, "Let your servant find favor in your sight." Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
- And she said, "Let your servant find favor in your eyes." So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
1 S.1.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בבקר: PREP
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- ביתם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,pl
- הרמתה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs+3,f,sg
- וידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלקנה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- חנה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- אשתו: NOUN,f,sg,cs+3,m,sg
- ויזכרה: VERB,qal,imperf,3,f,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 2:21 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel/continuation: states that the LORD visited/remembered Hannah and she bore additional children—direct outcome of the events in 1 Sam 1:19.
- Genesis 30:22 (verbal): Uses the same verb 'God remembered' (leading to conception of Rachel); parallels the motif of divine remembrance restoring fertility.
- Luke 1:24-25 (thematic): Elizabeth, previously barren, conceives after God's action—New Testament parallel to the theme of God enabling conception in response to his intervention.
- Genesis 4:1 (verbal): Uses the verb 'knew' (Heb. yādaʿ) to indicate sexual relations resulting in conception, paralleling 'Elkanah knew his wife' in 1 Sam 1:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD, and returned to their house at Ramah. Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
- They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they returned and came to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
1 S.1.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לתקפות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותהר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- חנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותלד: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותקרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- מיהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שאלתיו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 13:3-5 (thematic): Barren woman miraculously conceives a son who is set apart for divine service (Samson); parallels Hannah’s conception and the child’s special vocation.
- Luke 1:13-17 (verbal): Angel announces that elderly/barren couple will bear a son and tells them his name (John); parallels the announcement/recognition that the child is granted by God and named accordingly.
- Genesis 30:22-24 (thematic): Rachel conceives after long barrenness and names her son (Joseph) in light of God’s action—parallels Hannah’s conception and naming as an answered petition.
- Genesis 21:1-3 (thematic): God enables Sarah to bear Isaac in fulfillment of His promise; parallels divine intervention in the birth of a key son after previous barrenness or delay.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (structural): Hannah’s vow to dedicate any son born to the LORD provides the immediate context for 1:20—her petition explains why she names and will give Samuel to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- At the appointed time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I asked him of the LORD."
- So it came to pass in the course of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son; and she called his name Samuel, saying, "Because I have asked him of the LORD."
There was a man of Ramathaim‑zophim, of the hill country of Ephraim; his name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, son of Elihu, son of Tohu, son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.
He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
Year after year this man went up from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of hosts at Shiloh; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the LORD.
On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion, for he loved Hannah; and the LORD had closed her womb.
Her rival used to irritate her severely to provoke her, because the LORD had closed her womb. So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the LORD, she would provoke her; and Hannah would weep and would not eat.
Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
After they had eaten in Shiloh and after they had drunk, Hannah rose; now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD.
She was in bitterness of soul, and she prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly.
She vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look upon the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.
For Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard; so Eli took her for a drunken woman. And Eli said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine from you.” But Hannah answered, “No, my lord; I am a woman of a broken spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink; but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.
Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of great anxiety and provocation until now.”
Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant the petition you have asked of him.” And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.
They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they returned and went to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.
In due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I asked him of the LORD.”