CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Peninnah</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/p/peninnah.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/1_samuel/1-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/p/peninnah.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Peninnah</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/p/peniel_or_penuel.htm" title="Peniel or Penuel">◄</a> Peninnah <a href="/topical/p/penin'nah.htm" title="Penin'nah">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#hit" title="Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary">Hitchcock's</a> • <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Peninnah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Samuel. She is known as one of the two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. The narrative surrounding Peninnah is primarily found in <a href="/1_samuel/1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1-8</a>.<br><br><b>Family and Background</b><br><br>Peninnah was married to Elkanah, who was also married to Hannah. The text does not provide extensive details about Peninnah's lineage or background, focusing instead on her role within the family dynamics. Elkanah is described as a devout man who regularly went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh (<a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm">1 Samuel 1:3</a>).<br><br><b>Role and Relationship with Hannah</b><br><br>Peninnah is often remembered for her contentious relationship with Hannah, Elkanah's other wife. The Bible notes that Peninnah had children, while Hannah was initially barren. This difference in their maternal status created tension and rivalry between the two women. Peninnah is described as provoking and irritating Hannah, causing her great distress. The scripture states, "Her rival would provoke her and taunt her severely, because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb" (<a href="/1_samuel/1-6.htm">1 Samuel 1:6</a>).<br><br><b>Religious and Cultural Context</b><br><br>In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a woman's ability to bear children was highly valued and often seen as a sign of divine favor. Peninnah's fertility contrasted with Hannah's barrenness, which may have contributed to the rivalry and Peninnah's behavior. The narrative highlights the emotional pain and social stigma associated with childlessness in that era.<br><br><b>Elkanah's Affection</b><br><br>Despite Peninnah's ability to bear children, Elkanah showed a particular affection for Hannah. The scripture notes that he gave Hannah a double portion of the sacrificial meat because he loved her, even though the LORD had closed her womb (<a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">1 Samuel 1:5</a>). This preferential treatment may have exacerbated the tension between Peninnah and Hannah.<br><br><b>Significance in the Biblical Narrative</b><br><br>Peninnah's role in the biblical narrative serves to highlight the themes of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. Her provocations towards Hannah set the stage for Hannah's heartfelt prayer to God, which ultimately leads to the birth of Samuel, a significant prophet and judge in Israel's history. Peninnah's actions, while negative, indirectly contribute to the unfolding of God's plan for Israel through Samuel.<br><br><b>Biblical Lessons</b><br><br>The account of Peninnah and Hannah offers several lessons for readers. It underscores the importance of compassion and empathy in familial relationships and warns against the destructive nature of jealousy and rivalry. Additionally, it illustrates the power of prayer and faith in God's timing and provision, as seen in Hannah's eventual blessing with a child.<br><br><b>References</b><br><br>· <a href="/1_samuel/1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1-8</a>, Berean Standard Bible <a name="hit" id="hit"></a><div class="vheading2">Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Peninnah</span><p>pearl; precious stone; the face<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Peninnah</span><p>(<i>coral or pearl</i>), one of the two wives of Elkanah. (<a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2</a>) (B.C. 1125.)<a name="amt" id="amt"></a><div class="vheading2">ATS Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Peninnah</span><p>The second wife of Elkanah the father of Samuel. See HANNAH. Their story illustrates the evils of polygamy, <a href="/context/1_samuel/1-1.htm">1 Samuel 1:1-28</a>. </p><a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">PENINNAH</span><p>pe-nin'-a (peninnah, "coral," "pearl"): Second wife of Elkanah, father of Samuel (<a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2, 4</a>).<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/6444.htm"><span class="l">6444. <b>Peninnah</b> -- wife of Elkanah</span></a><br><b>...</b> 6443, 6444. <b>Peninnah</b>. 6445 . wife of Elkanah. Transliteration: <b>Peninnah</b><br> Phonetic Spelling: (pen-in-naw') Short Definition: <b>Peninnah</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/6444.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/sherman/the_childrens_bible/samuel_the_boy_prophet.htm"><span class="l">Samuel the Boy Prophet</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Elkanah, a Zuphite of the hill country of Ephraim, lived at Ramah with his two wives,<br> Hannah and <b>Peninnah</b>. <b>Peninnah</b> had children, but Hannah had none. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samuel the boy prophet.htm</font><p><a href="/library/wells/bible_stories_and_religious_classics/the_history_of_saul.htm"><span class="l">The History of Saul</span></a> <br><b>...</b> This history maketh mention that there was a man named Elkanah which had two wives,<br> that one was named Hannah, and the name of the second <b>Peninnah</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm</font><p><a href="/library/naylor/heart_talks/talk_thirty_fret_not_thyself.htm"><span class="l">Fret not Thyself</span></a> <br><b>...</b> We see a good illustration of this in the life of Hannah. Elkanah had two wives.<br> <b>Peninnah</b> had a number of children, but Hannah was childless. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty fret not thyself.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cyprian/three_books_of_testimonies_against_the_jews/20_that_the_church_which.htm"><span class="l">That the Church which Before had Been Barren Should have More <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> And in the first of Kings it is said that Elkanah had two wives: <b>Peninnah</b>, with<br> her sons; and Hannah, barren, from whom is born Samuel, not according to the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/20 that the church which.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_10_concerning_the_birth.htm"><span class="l">Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> one of a middle condition among his fellow citizens, and one that dwelt at Ramathaim,<br> a city of the tribe of Ephraim, married two wives, Hannah and <b>Peninnah</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the birth.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_cxxiii_to_ageruchia.htm"><span class="l">Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> church. So likewise do Hannah and <b>Peninnah</b> of whom the former, at first<br> barren, afterwards exceeded the latter in fruitfulness. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiii to ageruchia.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cyril/lectures_of_s_cyril_of_jerusalem/oration_xli_on_pentecost.htm"><span class="l">On Pentecost.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> This is S. Jerome's explanation. [4217] Psalm 79:12. [4218] Proverbs 9.i. [4219]<br> Zechariah 3:9. [4220] Psalm 119:164. [4221] 1 Samuel 2:5. [4222] <b>Peninnah</b> who <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xli on pentecost.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/p/peninnah.htm"><span class="l"><b>Peninnah</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>PENINNAH</b>. pe-nin'-a (<b>peninnah</b>, "coral," "pearl"): Second wife of Elkanah, father<br> of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:2, 4). Multi-Version Concordance <b>Peninnah</b> (2 Occurrences) <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/peninnah.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/penin'nah.htm"><span class="l">Penin'nah (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Penin'nah. <b>Peninnah</b>, Penin'nah. Penitence . Multi-Version Concordance<br> Penin'nah (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 1:2 And he had two wives <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/penin'nah.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/h/hannah.htm"><span class="l">Hannah (13 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> On occasion of one of these "yearly" visits, being grieved by reason of <b>Peninnah's</b><br> conduct toward her, she went forth alone, and kneeling before the Lord at <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/h/hannah.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/elkanah.htm"><span class="l">Elkanah (20 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> high position. He had two wives, Hannah, who was the mother of Samuel, and<br><b>Peninnah</b>. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELKANAH. el <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/elkanah.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wives.htm"><span class="l">Wives (159 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Samuel 1:2 and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name<br> of other <b>Peninnah</b>: and <b>Peninnah</b> had children, but Hannah had no children. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wives.htm - 38k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/elka'nah.htm"><span class="l">Elka'nah (20 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Samuel 1:4 And it came to pass upon a day, when Elkanah sacrificed, that he gave<br> to <b>Peninnah</b> his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions; (See <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/elka'nah.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/peni'el.htm"><span class="l">Peni'el (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Peni'el. Peniel, Peni'el. <b>Peninnah</b> . Multi-Version Concordance Peni'el<br> (1 Occurrence). <b>...</b> Peniel, Peni'el. <b>Peninnah</b> . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/peni'el.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sacrificeth.htm"><span class="l">Sacrificeth (22 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Samuel 1:4 And the day cometh, and Elkanah sacrificeth, and he hath given to <b>Peninnah</b><br> his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions, (YLT). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sacrificeth.htm - 13k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/portions.htm"><span class="l">Portions (49 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Samuel 1:4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to <b>Peninnah</b> his<br> wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/portions.htm - 22k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/sacrificed.htm"><span class="l">Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1 Samuel 1:4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to <b>Peninnah</b> his<br> wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/sacrificed.htm - 38k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/life-Hannah.html">Who was Hannah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Elkanah-in-the-Bible.html">Who was Elkanah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Hannah-and-Samuel.html">What is the story of Hannah and Samuel? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Peninnah (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2</a></span><br />and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of other <span class="boldtext">Peninnah</span>: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-4.htm">1 Samuel 1:4</a></span><br />When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to <span class="boldtext">Peninnah</span> his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/p/peninnah.htm">Peninnah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/p/peninnah--one_of_the_wives_of_elkanah.htm">Peninnah: One of the Wives of Elkanah</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/penitence.htm">Penitence (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/peninnah.htm">Peninnah (2 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/p/peniel_or_penuel.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Peniel or Penuel"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Peniel or Penuel" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/p/penin'nah.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Penin'nah"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Penin'nah" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>