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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 1:13 Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/1-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/09_1Sa_01_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 1:13 - Hannah Prays for a Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. 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Eli thought she was drunk<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were quivering, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought that she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart; only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Hannah was speaking in her heart (mind); only her lips were moving, and her voice was not heard, so Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hannah was praying silently, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli thought she was drunk<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />She was praying silently. Her voice couldn't be heard; only her lips were moving. Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />She was praying silently; her lips were moving, but she made no sound. So Eli thought that she was drunk, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Hannah was praying inwardly. Her lips were quivering, and her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now Hannah was speaking from her heart. Although her lips were moving, her voice was inaudible. Eli therefore thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And she was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Hannah spoke in her heart. Only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli thought she was drunk. <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 Hannah, she is speaking over her heart—only her lips are moving, and her voice is not heard, and Eli reckons her to be drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and Hannah, she is speaking to her heart, only her lips are moving, and her voice is not heard, and Eli reckoneth her to be drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Hannah she speaking upon her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice will not be heard: and Eli will think her to be intoxicated.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now Anna spoke in her heart, and only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard at all. Heli therefore thought her to be drunk, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For Hannah was speaking in her heart, and only her lips moved, and her voice was barely heard. Therefore, Eli considered her to be drunk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />for Hannah was praying silently; though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. Eli, thinking she was drunk,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now Hannah spoke in her heart only, and her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought her to be drunk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Hannah was speaking in her heart only, and her lips were moving and her voice was not heard, Eli considered her as drunk<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard; therefore, Eli thought she had been drunken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And she was speaking in her heart, and her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: and Heli accounted her a drunken woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/1-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=131" 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">Hannah Prays for a Son</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2584.htm" title="2584: wə·ḥan·nāh (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- Mother of Samuel. From chanan; favored; Channah, an Israelitess.">Hannah</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hî (Pro-3fs) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: mə·ḏab·be·reṯ (V-Piel-Prtcpl-fs) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">was praying</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">her heart,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">and though</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄ā·ṯe·hā (N-fdc:: 3fs) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">her lips</a> <a href="/hebrew/5128.htm" title="5128: nā·‘ō·wṯ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-fp) -- A primitive root; to waver, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively.">were moving,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: wə·qō·w·lāh (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">her voice</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: yiš·šā·mê·a‘ (V-Nifal-Imperf-3ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">be heard.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5941.htm" title="5941: ‘ê·lî (N-proper-ms) -- A priest at Shiloh. From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest.">So Eli</a> <a href="/hebrew/2803.htm" title="2803: way·yaḥ·šə·ḇe·hā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3fs) -- To think, account. ">thought</a> <a href="/hebrew/7910.htm" title="7910: lə·šik·kō·rāh (Prep-l:: Adj-fs) -- Drunken. Or shikkor; from shakar; intoxicated, as a state or a habit.">she was drunk</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>and said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put away your wine!”…<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/24-42.htm">Genesis 24:42-45</a></span><br />So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! / Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’ / and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-12.htm">Genesis 18:12</a></span><br />So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/4-27.htm">2 Kings 4:27</a></span><br />When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she clung to his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4</a></span><br />“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-14.htm">Psalm 19:14</a></span><br />May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-15.htm">Psalm 34:15</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-17.htm">Psalm 55:17</a></span><br />Morning, noon, and night, I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-4.htm">Psalm 139:4</a></span><br />Even before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, O LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/26-16.htm">Isaiah 26:16</a></span><br />O LORD, they sought You in their distress; when You disciplined them, they poured out a quiet prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-13.htm">Isaiah 29:13</a></span><br />Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Matthew 6:6</a></span><br />But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-7.htm">Matthew 6:7</a></span><br />And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-4.htm">Matthew 9:4</a></span><br />But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, “Why do you harbor evil in your hearts?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8</a></span><br />‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-24.htm">Mark 11:24</a></span><br />Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.</p><p class="hdg">spake</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/24-42.htm">Genesis 24:42-45</a></b></br> And I came this day unto the well, and said, O LORD God of my master Abraham, if now thou do prosper my way which I go: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4</a></b></br> Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/25-1.htm">Psalm 25:1</a></b></br> <i>A Psalm</i> of David. Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.</p><p class="hdg">she had</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/9-15.htm">Zechariah 9:15</a></b></br> The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, <i>and</i> make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, <i>and</i> as the corners of the altar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/2-13.htm">Acts 2:13</a></b></br> Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/13-7.htm">1 Corinthians 13:7</a></b></br> Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-9.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/genesis/9-21.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">Hannah</a> <a href="/ruth/2-8.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-19.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/ruth/1-19.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/judges/5-4.htm">Moving</a> <a href="/judges/20-41.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/genesis/38-15.htm">Reckoneth</a> <a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/judges/7-18.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/ruth/1-18.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/ruth/4-4.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/ruth/1-14.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/1-14.htm">Drunk</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-14.htm">Drunken</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-14.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-15.htm">Hannah</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-15.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-42.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-5.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Moving</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-9.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-17.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-16.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/job/41-27.htm">Reckoneth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-19.htm">Seemed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Sound</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-16.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-5.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">Voice</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 /> <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> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Hannah was praying in her heart</b><br>Hannah's silent prayer reflects a deep, personal communication with God, emphasizing the sincerity and intensity of her supplication. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, prayer was often vocal and public, yet Hannah's approach shows a profound internalization of her faith. This silent prayer can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament teaching on prayer found in <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Matthew 6:6</a>, where Jesus instructs believers to pray in private. Hannah's heartfelt prayer also highlights the personal nature of her relationship with God, setting a precedent for the intimate, personal prayer life encouraged throughout Scripture.<p><b>and though her lips were moving</b><br>The movement of Hannah's lips without audible words indicates a fervent, emotional prayer. This physical manifestation of prayer underscores the depth of her distress and longing for a child. It also reflects the cultural practice of praying aloud, which makes her silent prayer stand out as unusual. This moment can be compared to <a href="/romans/8-26.htm">Romans 8:26</a>, where the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words, suggesting that God understands the prayers of the heart even when they are not spoken.<p><b>her voice could not be heard</b><br>The inaudibility of Hannah's prayer signifies a departure from the norm of vocal prayer in the temple setting. This silence can be seen as a metaphor for the often silent suffering and unspoken desires of the human heart. It also foreshadows the New Covenant understanding that God hears and knows the heart, as seen in 1 <a href="/john/5-14.htm">John 5:14-15</a>, where believers are assured that God hears their prayers according to His will.<p><b>So Eli thought she was drunk</b><br>Eli's misinterpretation of Hannah's behavior reflects a lack of spiritual discernment and highlights the spiritual decline of the priesthood at that time. This misunderstanding can be seen as a commentary on the state of Israel's spiritual leadership, which is further evidenced by the corruption of Eli's sons. The accusation of drunkenness also parallels the events of Pentecost in <a href="/acts/2-13.htm">Acts 2:13</a>, where the apostles are accused of being drunk when filled with the Holy Spirit, suggesting a recurring theme of misunderstanding spiritual fervor.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hannah.htm">Hannah</a></b><br>A devout woman deeply distressed by her inability to bear children. Her silent prayer reflects her earnest plea to God for a son.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a></b><br>The high priest at Shiloh who misinterprets Hannah's silent prayer as drunkenness, highlighting a lack of spiritual discernment.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shiloh.htm">Shiloh</a></b><br>The religious center where the Ark of the Covenant was located during this period, and where Hannah went to pray.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/prayer.htm">Prayer</a></b><br>The act of communicating with God, which in this context is silent yet fervent, demonstrating the depth of Hannah's faith and desperation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/misunderstanding.htm">Misunderstanding</a></b><br>Eli's assumption that Hannah was drunk illustrates the potential for misjudgment when spiritual insight is lacking.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_silent_prayer.htm">The Power of Silent Prayer</a></b><br>Silent prayers, like Hannah's, can be deeply powerful and effective. God hears the cries of our hearts even when words are not spoken aloud.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/misjudgment_and_discernment.htm">Misjudgment and Discernment</a></b><br>Eli's misjudgment of Hannah serves as a reminder to seek spiritual discernment before forming conclusions about others' spiritual states.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_distress.htm">Faith in Distress</a></b><br>Hannah's example teaches us to turn to God in our distress, trusting Him with our deepest desires and burdens.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_prayer.htm">Perseverance in Prayer</a></b><br>Hannah's persistence in prayer, despite her prolonged period of barrenness, encourages believers to remain steadfast in prayer.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_understanding_of_our_hearts.htm">God's Understanding of Our Hearts</a></b><br>God understands the language of our hearts, and our prayers do not need to be eloquent or audible to be heard by Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_praying_out_loud_necessary.htm">Is praying out loud necessary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_silent_prayer_effective.htm">Is silent prayer effective?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_hannah's_faith_lead_to_samuel.htm">How did Hannah's faith lead to Samuel's birth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_hannah_conceive_after_infertility.htm">How can Hannah’s sudden pregnancy in 1 Samuel 1:5, 20 be explained given her long-term infertility? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">Now Hannah, she spake in her heart.</span>--Eli was watching the worshippers, and, as Bunsen well remarks, was struck with dismay at her silent earnestness, such heartfelt prayer being apparently not usual at that time, and remembering the condition of the moral life in the precincts of the sanctuary over which he ruled with so weak and vacillating a rule, and how sadly frequent were disorders at the sacrificial meal, at once suspected that the weeping, praying one was a drunken woman. He, however, quickly atoned for his unworthy suspicion.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/1-13.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">Hannah</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחַנָּ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥan·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">was praying</span><br /><span class="heb">מְדַבֶּ֣רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḏab·be·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her heart,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבָּ֔הּ</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and though</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֚ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her lips</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפָתֶ֣יהָ</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄ā·ṯe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were moving,</span><br /><span class="heb">נָּע֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(nā·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5128.htm">Strong's 5128: </a> </span><span class="str2">To quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her voice</span><br /><span class="heb">וְקוֹלָ֖הּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qō·w·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">could not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be heard.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשָּׁמֵ֑עַ</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·šā·mê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">So Eli</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵלִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5941.htm">Strong's 5941: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eli -- a priest at Shiloh</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thought</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֥הָ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yaḥ·šə·ḇe·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2803.htm">Strong's 2803: </a> </span><span class="str2">To think, account</span><br /><br /><span class="word">she was drunk</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשִׁכֹּרָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šik·kō·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7910.htm">Strong's 7910: </a> </span><span class="str2">Intoxicated, as a, state, a habit</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/1-13.htm">1 Samuel 1:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 1:13 Now Hannah she spoke in her heart (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 1:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 1:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/1-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 1:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 1:14" /></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>