Hannah
femaleUnited MonarchyMeaning: “Grace; favor”
A devout, barren woman whose anguished prayer for a son was answered with Samuel, whom she gave back to the LORD; her song of praise prefigures Mary’s Magnificat.
Biography
Hannah, one of the two wives of Elkanah, was a woman of deep faith whose answered prayer gave Israel the prophet Samuel at a pivotal hour. Her devotion and her song make her one of the great women of the Old Testament.
A prayer in bitterness of soul
Childless and provoked by Elkanah's other wife, Hannah "prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore," vowing that if God gave her a son she would give him to the LORD all his life (1 Samuel 1:10–11). Eli the priest, seeing her silent, moving lips, first thought her drunk, then blessed her.
Samuel given back to God
God remembered her, and she bore Samuel — "because I have asked him of the LORD" (1 Samuel 1:20). When he was weaned, she brought him to the tabernacle and gave him to Eli's care, keeping her vow (1 Samuel 1:27–28).
The song of Hannah
Her prayer of praise — "My heart rejoiceth in the LORD… he raiseth up the poor out of the dust" (1 Samuel 2:1–10) — exalts the God who lifts the lowly and casts down the proud, and is widely seen as a forerunner of Mary's Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55). God gave Hannah three more sons and two daughters (1 Samuel 2:21).
Life Timeline
Vows at Shiloh to give her son to the LORD
Bears Samuel in answer to prayer
Brings the weaned Samuel to serve at the tabernacle
On the Bible timeline
Hannah belongs to the Conquest & the Judges era (c. 1400 – 1050 BC).
- c. 1375 – 1050 BCThe Age of the Judges
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Hannah
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Hannah appears.
People they appear with
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
11 verses in 1 book1 Samuel11 verses
1 Samuel 1:2
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.
1 Samuel 1:5
But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb. worthy: or, double
1 Samuel 1:8
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
1 Samuel 1:9
So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
1 Samuel 1:13
Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
1 Samuel 1:15
And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. of a sorrowful: Heb. hard of spirit
1 Samuel 1:19
And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
1 Samuel 1:20
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. when: Heb. in revolution of days Samuel: that is, Asked of God
1 Samuel 1:22
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
1 Samuel 2:1
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
1 Samuel 2:21
And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Frequently asked about Hannah
Who was Hannah in the Bible?
A devout, barren woman whose anguished prayer for a son was answered with Samuel, whom she gave back to the LORD; her song of praise prefigures Mary’s Magnificat.
What does the name Hannah mean?
The name Hannah means “Grace; favor”.
What did Hannah do in the Bible?
Hannah served as mother of samuel.
Who were Hannah's children?
Hannah's children include Samuel.
Where does Hannah appear in the Bible?
Hannah is mentioned 11 times across 1 book: 1 Samuel.
What can we learn from Hannah?
The story of Hannah touches on themes of hannah, samuel, satire, conception, miraculous — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Hannah's life.
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