1 Samuel 1:5 But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb.

◄ 1 Samuel 1:5 ►

New International Version
But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the LORD had closed her womb.

New Living Translation
And though he loved Hannah, he would give her only one choice portion because the LORD had given her no children.

English Standard Version
But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.

Berean Standard Bible
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb.

King James Bible
But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

New King James Version
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, although the LORD had closed her womb.

New American Standard Bible
but to Hannah he would give a double portion, because he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb.

NASB 1995
but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb.

NASB 1977
but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had closed her womb.

Legacy Standard Bible
but to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had closed her womb.

Amplified Bible
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, because he loved Hannah, but the LORD had given her no children.

Christian Standard Bible
But he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved her even though the LORD had kept her from conceiving.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved her even though the LORD had kept her from conceiving.

American Standard Version
but unto Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but Jehovah had shut up her womb.

Contemporary English Version
But he gave Hannah even more, because he loved Hannah very much, even though the LORD had kept her from having children of her own.

English Revised Version
but unto Hannah he gave a double portion: for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had shut up her womb.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He would also give one portion to Hannah because he loved her, even though the LORD had kept her from having children.

Good News Translation
And even though he loved Hannah very much he would give her only one share, because the LORD had kept her from having children.

International Standard Version
but he would give twice as much to Hannah because he loved her. Now the LORD had closed her womb.

Majority Standard Bible
But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb.

NET Bible
But he would give a double portion to Hannah, because he especially loved her. Now the LORD had not enabled her to have children.

New Heart English Bible
But to Hannah he would give a double portion because he loved Hannah. Now the LORD had kept her from conceiving.

Webster's Bible Translation
But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah; but the LORD had rendered her barren.

World English Bible
but he gave a double portion to Hannah, for he loved Hannah, but Yahweh had shut up her womb.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and he gives a certain portion to Hannah—double, for he has loved Hannah, and YHWH has shut her womb;

Young's Literal Translation
and to Hannah he giveth a certain portion -- double, for he hath loved Hannah, and Jehovah hath shut her womb;

Smith's Literal Translation
And to Hannah he will give one portion more, for he loved Hannah; and Jehovah shut up her womb.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But to Anna he gave one portion with sorrow, because he loved Anna. And the Lord had shut up her womb.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But to Hannah he gave one portion with sorrow. For he loved Hannah, but the Lord had closed her womb.

New American Bible
but he would give a double portion to Hannah because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.

New Revised Standard Version
but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
But to Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah; but the LORD had shut up her womb.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And to Khanna he gave one double portion, because he loved Khanna, and LORD JEHOVAH had shut her womb

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
but unto Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but the LORD had shut up her womb.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And to Anna he gave a prime portion, because she had no child, only Helkana loved Anna more than the other; but the Lord had closed her womb.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Elkanah and His Wives
…4And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5But to Hannah he would give a double portion, for he loved her even though the LORD had closed her womb. 6Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her and taunt her viciously.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 30:1-2
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?”

Genesis 29:31
When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren.

Genesis 25:21
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.

Genesis 16:2
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.

Genesis 21:1-2
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.

Judges 13:2-3
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.

Psalm 113:9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

Psalm 127:3
Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

Isaiah 54:1
“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.

Luke 1:7
But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years.

Luke 1:13
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.

Luke 1:25
“The Lord has done this for me. In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

Luke 1:36
Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month.

Romans 9:10-12
Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”

Romans 9:15-16
For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” / So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

Treasury of Scripture

But to Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.

a worthy portion.

Genesis 43:34
And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.

Genesis 45:22
To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.

he loved

Genesis 29:30,31
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years…

Deuteronomy 21:15
If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:

shut up

Genesis 20:18
For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham's wife.

Genesis 30:2
And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?

Jump to Previous

Although Barren Children Closed Dear Double Hannah Loved Part Portion Rendered Shut Used Womb Worthy

Jump to Next

Although Barren Children Closed Dear Double Hannah Loved Part Portion Rendered Shut Used Womb Worthy

1 Samuel 1

1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh
4. He cherishes Hannah, though barren, and provoked by Peninnah
9. Hannah in grief prays for a child
12. Eli first rebuking her, afterwards blesses her
19. Hannah, having born Samuel, stays at home till he is weaned
24. She presents him, according to her vow, to the Lord

Berean Study Bible

But to Hannah
The name "Hannah" in Hebrew is "Channah," which means "grace" or "favor." This name is significant as it reflects the grace of God that will eventually be bestowed upon her. Hannah's account is one of deep personal struggle and faith, and her name foreshadows the divine favor she will receive. In the context of ancient Israel, a woman's identity and worth were often tied to her ability to bear children, making Hannah's situation particularly poignant.

he would give
The act of giving here is significant. In Hebrew, the verb "natan" is used, which means "to give" or "to bestow." This action by Elkanah, Hannah's husband, is an expression of love and favor. It is a deliberate act that goes beyond cultural norms, showing his deep affection and support for Hannah despite her barrenness.

a double portion
The phrase "double portion" is translated from the Hebrew "manah 'ahath appayim," which literally means "a portion of two faces." This idiom suggests a portion that is double or abundant. In the cultural context, this was a significant gesture, as it was customary to give a single portion to each family member. Elkanah's giving of a double portion to Hannah signifies his special love and esteem for her, despite her inability to bear children.

for he loved her
The Hebrew word for love here is "ahav," which denotes a deep, abiding affection. Elkanah's love for Hannah is profound and unconditional, not based on her ability to fulfill societal expectations of motherhood. This love is a reflection of God's love for His people, which is not contingent on their actions or status.

even though the LORD had closed her womb
This phrase acknowledges the sovereignty of God in Hannah's situation. The Hebrew word for "closed" is "sagar," which means to shut or close up. This indicates that Hannah's barrenness was not due to any fault of her own but was part of God's divine plan. In the ancient Near Eastern context, fertility was often seen as a blessing from the gods, and barrenness as a curse. However, this verse challenges that notion by attributing Hannah's condition to the LORD, suggesting a purpose beyond human understanding. It sets the stage for the miraculous intervention that will follow, highlighting themes of faith, patience, and divine timing.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) A worthy portion.--Literally, one portion for two persons: i.e., a double portion. It was an expression of his deep love for her. As Von Gerlach puts it, "Thou art as dear to me as if thou hadst borne me a child." Some scholars would translate the difficult Hebrew expression here by, "But to Hannah he gave a portion of anger or sadness," thus intensifying the natural sorrow of Hannah by representing her husband as unkind. The Vulgate, Luther, and Abarbanel favour this singular interpretation; but the one adopted by the English Version, and explained above, is in all respects grammatically and exegetically to be preferred.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - A worthy portion. This rendering is based upon the idea that the Hebrew, which is literally "one portion of two faces," may mean "one portion enough for two persons." But for this there is no sufficient authority, and though the word is a dual, it really signifies the two sides of the face, or more exactly "the two nostrils," and so simply the countenance. The Syriac translation, "a double portion," is based upon an accidental resemblance between the words. As the term sometimes signifies anger from the swelling of the nostrils of an enraged person, the Vulgate translates, "And Elkanah was sad when he gave Hannah her portion; for..." The Septuagint has a different reading, epes for apaim, and though the words look different in our writing, they are nearly identical in Hebrew. This is probably the true reading, and the translation would then be, "And to Hannah he gave one portion only (because she bad no child, while Peninnah had many portions, as each son and daughter had a share); for he loved Hannah (and did not leave her without this mark of affection), though Jehovah had shut up her womb." These portions were of course taken from those parts of the victim which formed a feast for the offerers, after Jehovah and the priests had had their dues. It is plain from this feast that Elkanah's annual sacrifice was a peace offering, for the law of which see Leviticus 7:11-21.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But to Hannah
וּלְחַנָּ֕ה (ū·lə·ḥan·nāh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2584: Hannah -- mother of Samuel

he would give
יִתֵּ֛ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a
אַחַ֖ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

double
אַפָּ֑יִם (’ap·pā·yim)
Noun - md
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

portion,
מָנָ֥ה (mā·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4490: Something weighed out, a division, a ration, a lot

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he loved
אָהֵ֔ב (’ā·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

her
חַנָּה֙ (ḥan·nāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2584: Hannah -- mother of Samuel

even though the LORD
וַֽיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

had closed
סָגַ֥ר (sā·ḡar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

her womb.
רַחְמָֽהּ׃ (raḥ·māh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7358: The womb

Links

1 Samuel 1:5 NIV
1 Samuel 1:5 NLT
1 Samuel 1:5 ESV
1 Samuel 1:5 NASB
1 Samuel 1:5 KJV

1 Samuel 1:5 BibleApps.com
1 Samuel 1:5 Biblia Paralela
1 Samuel 1:5 Chinese Bible
1 Samuel 1:5 French Bible
1 Samuel 1:5 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Samuel 1:5 But to Hannah he gave a double (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)