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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//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" /><title>1 Samuel 1:2 He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/1-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/09_1Sa_01_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 1:2 - Elkanah and His Wives" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. 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Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />He had two wives. The name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he had two wives; the name of the one <i>was</i> Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And he had two wives: the name of one <i>was</i> Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives, the first named Hannah and the second Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives, the first named Hannah and the second Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Although Peninnah had children, Hannah did not have any. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Elkanah had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He had two wives; the name of one was Hannah and the name of the other was Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives; the name of the first was Hannah and the name of the second was Peninnah. Now Peninnah had children, but Hannah was childless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other, Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and he has two wives, the name of the first [is] Hannah, and the name of the second Peninnah, and Peninnah has children, and Hannah has no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he hath two wives, the name of the one is Hannah, and the name of the second Peninnah, and Peninnah hath children, and Hannah hath no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And to him two wives; the name of the one Hannah, and the name of the second Peninnah: and there will be to Peninnah children, and to Hannah no children.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he had two wives, the name of one was Anna, and the name of the other Phenenna. Phenenna had children: but Anna had no children. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he had two wives: the name of one was Hannah, and the name of the second was Peninnah. And Peninnah had sons. But Hannah did not have children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He had two wives, one named Hannah, the other Peninnah; Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Pannah; and Pannah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he had two wives; the name of one, Khanna, and the name of the other, Pannana, and Pannana had children and Khanna had no children<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And he had two wives: the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he <i>had</i> two wives; the name of the one <i>was</i> Anna, and the name of the second Phennana. And Phennana had children, but Anna had no child.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/1-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=15" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Elkanah and His Wives</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/wə·lōw (Conj-w:: Prep:: 3ms) -- ">He had</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·tê (Number-fdc) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">two</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šîm (N-fp) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">wives,</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’a·ḥaṯ (Number-fs) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šêm (N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">named</a> <a href="/hebrew/2584.htm" title="2584: ḥan·nāh (N-proper-fs) -- Mother of Samuel. From chanan; favored; Channah, an Israelitess.">Hannah</a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: wə·šêm (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8145.htm" title="8145: haš·šê·nîṯ (Art:: Number-ofs) -- Second (an ord. number). From shanah; properly, double, i.e. Second; also adverbially, again.">and the other</a> <a href="/hebrew/6444.htm" title="6444: pə·nin·nāh (N-proper-fs) -- Wife of Elkanah. Probably feminine from paniyn contr. Peninnah, an Israelitess.">Peninnah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/6444.htm" title="6444: lip̄·nin·nāh (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- Wife of Elkanah. Probably feminine from paniyn contr. Peninnah, an Israelitess.">And Peninnah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: yə·lā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring.">children,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2584.htm" title="2584: ū·lə·ḥan·nāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- Mother of Samuel. From chanan; favored; Channah, an Israelitess.">but Hannah</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">had none.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3206.htm" title="3206: yə·lā·ḏîm (N-mp) -- Child, son, boy, youth. From yalad; something born, i.e. A lad or offspring."></a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/29-31.htm">Genesis 29:31</a></span><br />When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-1.htm">Genesis 30:1-2</a></span><br />When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1-2</a></span><br />Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Genesis 25:21</a></span><br />Later, Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was barren. And the LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/13-2.htm">Judges 13:2-3</a></span><br />Now there was a man from Zorah named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, whose wife was barren and had no children. / The angel of the LORD appeared to the woman and said to her, “It is true that you are barren and have no children; but you will conceive and give birth to a son.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-7.htm">Luke 1:7</a></span><br />But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-13.htm">Luke 1:13</a></span><br />But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/1-36.htm">Luke 1:36</a></span><br />Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Genesis 30:22-23</a></span><br />Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/113-9.htm">Psalm 113:9</a></span><br />He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a></span><br />“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Galatians 4:27</a></span><br />For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1-2</a></span><br />Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. / So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/11-30.htm">Genesis 11:30</a></span><br />But Sarai was barren; she had no children.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/11-1.htm">Judges 11:1-2</a></span><br />Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor; he was the son of a prostitute, and Gilead was his father. / And Gilead’s wife bore him sons who grew up, drove Jephthah out, and said to him, “You shall have no inheritance in our father’s house, because you are the son of another woman.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.</p><p class="hdg">two</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/4-19.htm">Genesis 4:19,23</a></b></br> And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one <i>was</i> Adah, and the name of the other Zillah… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-23.htm">Genesis 29:23-29</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/8-30.htm">Judges 8:30</a></b></br> And Gideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten: for he had many wives.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/16-1.htm">Genesis 16:1,2</a></b></br> Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name <i>was</i> Hagar… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-21.htm">Genesis 25:21</a></b></br> And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she <i>was</i> barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/29-31.htm">Genesis 29:31</a></b></br> And when the LORD saw that Leah <i>was</i> hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel <i>was</i> barren.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ruth/4-12.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-21.htm">Hannah</a> <a href="/ruth/3-17.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-4.htm">Peninnah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-4.htm">Penin'nah</a> <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Second</a> <a href="/ruth/1-4.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-5.htm">Hannah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-5.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-4.htm">Peninnah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-4.htm">Penin'nah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-2.htm">Second</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-43.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-1.htm">Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-4.htm">He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-9.htm">Hannah in grief prays for a child</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-19.htm">Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/1-24.htm">She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord</a></span><br></div></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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_samuel/1.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>He had two wives</b><br />In the ancient Near Eastern context, polygamy was a common practice, especially among those who were wealthy or of high status. The Hebrew word for "wives" is "נָשִׁים" (nashim), which is the plural form of "אִשָּׁה" (ishah), meaning "woman" or "wife." This practice, while not God's original design for marriage as seen in <a href="/genesis/2-24.htm">Genesis 2:24</a>, was tolerated in certain periods of Israel's history. The presence of two wives sets the stage for the familial tension and personal struggles that will unfold in the narrative.<p><b>one named Hannah</b><br />The name "Hannah" (חַנָּה) means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew. This name is significant as it reflects the grace that God will eventually bestow upon her. Hannah's account is one of deep personal anguish and fervent prayer, and her name foreshadows the divine favor she will receive. Her character is a model of faith and perseverance, embodying the grace that her name signifies.<p><b>and the other Peninnah</b><br />Peninnah's name (פְּנִנָּה) is derived from a word meaning "pearl" or "coral," suggesting something of value or beauty. However, in the narrative, Peninnah's role is more complex, as she becomes a source of provocation and distress for Hannah. Her presence in the account highlights the cultural and personal challenges of polygamous relationships, where rivalry and jealousy often arose.<p><b>And Peninnah had children</b><br />The ability to bear children was highly valued in ancient Israelite society, as children were seen as a blessing from God and a means of continuing the family lineage. Peninnah's fertility is contrasted with Hannah's barrenness, setting up a dynamic of tension and competition. The Hebrew word for "children" is "יְלָדִים" (yeladim), emphasizing the blessing and social status that Peninnah enjoyed.<p><b>but Hannah had none</b><br />Hannah's barrenness is a central theme in this narrative. In the cultural context, a woman's worth was often measured by her ability to bear children, and barrenness was seen as a source of shame and social stigma. The Hebrew word for "none" is "אֵין" (ein), indicating the absence or lack of something. Hannah's childlessness is not just a personal sorrow but a societal burden, which she bears with grace and faith. Her account is a powerful testament to the transformative power of prayer and God's ability to bring life and hope out of barrenness.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">And he had two wives.</span>--The primeval Divine ordination, we know, gave its sanction alone to monogamy. The first who seems to have violated God's original ordinance appears to have been Lamech, of the family of Cain (<a href="/genesis/4-19.htm" title="And Lamech took to him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.">Genesis 4:19</a>). The practice apparently had become general throughout the East when the Mosaic Law was formulated. In this Divine code it is noticeable that while polygamy is accepted as a custom everywhere prevailing, it is never approved. The laws of Moses--as in the case of another universally accepted practice, slavery--simply seek to restrict and limit it by wise and humane regulations. The inspired writer in this narrative of the home life of Elkanah of "Ramah of the Watchers<span class= "ital">" </span>quietly shows up the curse which almost invariably attended this miserable violation of the relations of the home life to which in the old Eden days the eternal law had given its sanction and blessing. The Old Testament Book contains many of these gently-worded but fire-tipped rebukes of sin and frailty--sins condoned and even approved by the voice of mankind.<p><span class= "bld">Peninnah.</span>--Hannah signifies grace or favour, and has ever been a favourite name among the women of the East. It was the name of the Punic Queen Dido's sister, Anna. The traditional mother of the Virgin Mary was named Anna. (See <a href="/luke/2-36.htm" title="And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;">Luke 2:36</a>.) Peninnah is translated by some scholars "coral;" according to others it signifies "pearl." We have adopted the same name under the modem "Margaret."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - As a wealthy man, Elkanah <span class="cmt_word">had two wives, Hannah</span> - the Anna of Virgil, who very properly gives this name to the sister of the Phoenician Dido, the language of Phoenicia being identical with Hebrew - <span class="cmt_word">and Peninnah.</span> The word Hannah signifies <span class="accented">gracefulness</span>, while Peulnnah is the <span class="accented">red pearl</span>, translated coral in <a href="/job/28-18.htm">Job 28:18</a>, but ruby in <a href="/proverbs/3-15.htm">Proverbs 3:15</a>, etc. Its ruddy colour is vouched for in <a href="/lamentations/4-7.htm">Lamentations 4:7</a>. The Hebrew names for women generally bear witness to the affection and respect felt for them; while those for men are usually religious. Though polygamy was a licence permitted to the Jews, it does not seem to have been generally indulged in, except by the kings. Here, as elsewhere, it was the ruin of family life. In Christianity it was marked for final extinction by the rule that no polygamist should be admitted even to the diaconate, and much less to higher office (<a href="/1_timothy/3-2.htm">1 Timothy 3:2, 12</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/1-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He had</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">two</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁתֵּ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(šə·tê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - fdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wives,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָשִׁ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(nā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> </span><span class="str2">Woman, wife, female</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחַת֙</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥaṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">named</span><br /><span class="heb">שֵׁ֤ם</span> <span class="translit">(šêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> </span><span class="str2">A name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Hannah</span><br /><span class="heb">חַנָּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḥan·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2584.htm">Strong's 2584: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hannah -- mother of Samuel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the other</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šê·nîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Number - ordinal feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8145.htm">Strong's 8145: </a> </span><span class="str2">Second (an ordinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Peninnah.</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּנִנָּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(pə·nin·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6444.htm">Strong's 6444: </a> </span><span class="str2">Peninnah -- wife of Elkanah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">And Peninnah</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנִנָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nin·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6444.htm">Strong's 6444: </a> </span><span class="str2">Peninnah -- wife of Elkanah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">children,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְלָדִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(yə·lā·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3206.htm">Strong's 3206: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something born, a lad, offspring</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but Hannah</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְחַנָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·ḥan·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2584.htm">Strong's 2584: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hannah -- mother of Samuel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had none.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/1-2.htm">1 Samuel 1:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/1-2.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 1:2 And he had two wives (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/1-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 1:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 1:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/1-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 1:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 1:3" /></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="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>