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1 Samuel 1:12 As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.

<!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 1:12 As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/1-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/09_1Sa_01_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 1:12 - Hannah Prays for a Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth." /><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'; 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(Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/1.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />As she kept on praying to the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />As she was praying to the LORD, Eli watched her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened, as she multiplied her praying before Yahweh, that Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now it happened as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />While she continued praying in the LORD&#8217;s presence, Eli watched her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />While she continued praying in the LORD&#8217s presence, Eli watched her lips. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as she continued praying before Jehovah, that Eli marked her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />While Hannah was praying a long time in front of the LORD, Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Hannah continued to pray to the LORD for a long time, and Eli watched her lips. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />As she continued to pray in the LORD's presence, Eli was watching her mouth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />As Hannah kept on praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />As she continued praying to the LORD, Eli was watching her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened, as she multiplied prayers before the LORD, that Eli saw her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli observed her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />As she continued praying before Yahweh, Eli saw her mouth. <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 it has been, when she multiplied praying before YHWH, that Eli is watching her mouth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it hath been, when she multiplied praying before Jehovah, that Eli is watching her mouth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it was when she multiplied to pray before Jehovah, and Eli watched her mouth.<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 it came to pass, as she multiplied prayers before the Lord, that Heli observed her mouth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then it happened that, while she multiplied prayers before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli watched her mouth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth.<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 it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And it was that when she continued to pray before LORD JEHOVAH and Eli was watching her mouth<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 it came to pass, as she prayed long before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, while she was long praying before the Lord, that Heli the priest marked her mouth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/1-12.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=126" 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>&#8230;<span class="reftext">11</span>And she made a vow, pleading, &#8220;O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever come over his head.&#8221; <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: w&#601;&#183;h&#257;&#183;y&#257;h (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: k&#238; (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">As</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: hir&#183;b&#601;&#183;&#7791;&#257;h (V-Hifil-Perf-3fs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase.">Hannah kept on</a> <a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: l&#601;&#183;hi&#7791;&#183;pal&#183;l&#234;l (Prep-l:: V-Hitpael-Inf) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">praying</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip&#772;&#183;n&#234; (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah&#183;weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5941.htm" title="5941: w&#601;&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;l&#238; (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- A priest at Shiloh. From alah; lofty; Eli, an Israelite high-priest.">Eli</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: &#353;&#333;&#183;m&#234;r (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">watched</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: &#8217;e&#7791;- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: p&#238;&#183;h&#257; (N-msc:: 3fs) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">her mouth.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>Hannah was praying in her heart, and though her lips were moving, her voice could not be heard. So Eli thought she was drunk&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <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="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:<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="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6</a></span><br />Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a></span><br />Pray without ceasing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-10</a></span><br />So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-12.htm">Romans 12:12</a></span><br />Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-2.htm">Colossians 4:2</a></span><br />Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a></span><br />Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.<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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a></span><br />Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.<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/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="/jeremiah/29-12.htm">Jeremiah 29:12</a></span><br />Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-8.htm">Luke 11:8-10</a></b></br> I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1</a></b></br> And he spake a parable unto them <i>to this end</i>, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a></b></br> Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ruth/2-7.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-9.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/joshua/20-2.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/judges/20-37.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/judges/16-24.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/genesis/24-15.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-7.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/4-11.htm">Watched</a> <a href="/judges/21-21.htm">Watching</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-26.htm">Continued</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm">Eli</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-19.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-13.htm">Marked</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-1.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-10.htm">Multiplied</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-16.htm">Observed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-27.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm">Praying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/1-20.htm">Time</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-16.htm">Watched</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Watching</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'; 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In the cultural context of ancient Israel, childlessness was often seen as a source of shame and a sign of divine disfavor. Her continuous prayer indicates her belief in God's power to change her situation. This persistence in prayer is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches about the importance of persistent prayer in <a href="/luke/18.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a>. Hannah's prayer life is a model of faithfulness and trust in God's timing and sovereignty.<p><b>Eli watched her mouth</b><br>Eli, the high priest, observed Hannah's silent prayer, which was unusual for the time, as prayers were typically spoken aloud. This silent prayer can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament understanding of prayer as a personal and intimate communication with God, as seen in <a href="/matthew/6-6.htm">Matthew 6:6</a>. Eli's role as a priest is significant, as he represents the religious authority of the time, yet his initial misunderstanding of Hannah's actions highlights the spiritual decline in Israel, which is a recurring theme in the book of 1 Samuel. Eli's observation also sets the stage for his later interaction with Hannah, where he blesses her, leading to the fulfillment of her prayer.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/hannah.htm">Hannah</a></b><br>A devout woman of faith, deeply distressed due to her barrenness, who fervently prays to the LORD for a child.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/eli.htm">Eli</a></b><br>The high priest at Shiloh, who observes Hannah as she prays silently and initially misunderstands her actions.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/shiloh.htm">Shiloh</a></b><br>The religious center where the tabernacle was located during this period, and where Hannah goes to pray.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, to whom Hannah directs her prayers, demonstrating her faith and reliance on Him.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prayer.htm">Prayer</a></b><br>The act of communicating with God, which is central to this passage as Hannah pours out her heart before the LORD.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_persistent_prayer.htm">The Power of Persistent Prayer</a></b><br>Hannah's continuous prayer before the LORD demonstrates the importance of persistence in our prayer life. We should not be discouraged if answers are not immediate.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/misunderstandings_in_worship.htm">Misunderstandings in Worship</a></b><br>Eli's initial misjudgment of Hannah's silent prayer reminds us that outward appearances can be deceiving. We should be careful not to judge others' expressions of faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_timing.htm">Faith in God's Timing</a></b><br>Hannah's account teaches us to trust in God's perfect timing. Her patience and faith eventually lead to the birth of Samuel, a significant figure in Israel's history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pouring_out_our_hearts_to_god.htm">Pouring Out Our Hearts to God</a></b><br>Like Hannah, we are encouraged to bring our deepest desires and burdens to God, trusting that He hears and cares for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_spiritual_leaders.htm">The Role of Spiritual Leaders</a></b><br>Eli's eventual blessing over Hannah's prayer highlights the role of spiritual leaders in supporting and encouraging the faith of others.<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/key_events_in_samuel's_life.htm">What were the key events in Samuel's life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_key_events_in_1_samuel.htm">What are the key events in 1 Samuel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_records_confirm_shiloh's_priesthood.htm">1 Samuel 2:12-17 describes corrupt priests at Shiloh--do archaeological records confirm such a worship center and priesthood as depicted?</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/pulpit/1_samuel/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">She continued praying.</span> Hannah's prayer was long and earnest, but in silence. She spake not in, but "to her heart," to herself. It was an inward supplication, which only her own heart and God heard. Eli watched, and was displeased. Possibly silent prayer was something unusual. It requires a certain advance in civilisation and refinement to enable a supplicant to separate the petition from the outward expression of it in spoken words, and a strong faith before any one can feel that God hears and knows the silent utterances of the heart (comp. <a href="/matthew/8-8.htm">Matthew 8:8-10</a>). Naturally men think that they shall be heard for their much speaking, and for speaking aloud. Unused then to such real prayer, Eli, as he marked the quivering lips, the prostrate form, the face flushed with earnestness, came to the coarse conclusion that she was drunken, and with equal coarseness bids her "put away her wine from her," that is, go and sleep off the effects of her debauch. Hannah answers indignantly, "No, my lord." She is "a woman hard of spirit;' (see marg.), heavy hearted, as we should say, and she had been lightening her heart by pouring out her troubles before Jehovah. She is no "worthless woman;" for Belial is not a proper name, though gradually it became one (<a href="/2_corinthians/6-15.htm">2 Corinthians 6:15</a>), but means <span class="accented">worthlessness</span>, and "a daughter of worthlessness" means a bad woman. <span class="accented">"Grief"</span> is rather <span class="accented">provocation, vexation.</span> Hannah cannot forget the triumph of her rival, exulting over her many portions, while for her there had been only one. Convinced by the modesty and earnestness of her answer, Eli retracts his accusation, gives her his blessing, and prays that her petition may be granted. And Hannah, comforted by such words spoken by the high priest (<a href="/john/11-51.htm">John 11:51</a>), returned to the sacrificial feast, which apparently was not yet finished, and joined in it, for "she did eat, and her countenance was to her no more," that is, the grieved and depressed look which she had so long borne had now departed from her. There is no reason for the insertion of the word <span class="accented">sad.</span> HANNAH'S PRAYER ANSWERED (vers. 19, 20). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/1-12.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">As</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1499;&#1468;&#1460;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(k&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[Hannah] kept on</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1460;&#1512;&#1456;&#1489;&#1468;&#1456;&#1514;&#1464;&#1428;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(hir&#183;b&#601;&#183;&#7791;&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7235.htm">Strong's 7235: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be or become much, many or great</span><br /><br /><span class="word">praying</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1492;&#1460;&#1514;&#1456;&#1508;&#1468;&#1463;&#1500;&#1468;&#1461;&#1430;&#1500;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;hi&#7791;&#183;pal&#183;l&#234;l)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, to intercede, pray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1460;&#1508;&#1456;&#1504;&#1461;&#1443;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(lip&#772;&#183;n&#234;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1456;&#1492;&#1493;&#1464;&#1425;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(Yah&#183;weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Eli</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1506;&#1461;&#1500;&#1460;&#1430;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#8216;&#234;&#183;l&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; 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">watched</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1513;&#1473;&#1465;&#1502;&#1461;&#1445;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#353;&#333;&#183;m&#234;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">her mouth.</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1508;&#1468;&#1460;&#1469;&#1497;&#1492;&#1464;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(p&#238;&#183;h&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/1-12.htm">1 Samuel 1:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/1-12.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 1:12 It happened as she continued praying before (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 1:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 1:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/1-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 1:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 1:13" /></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>

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