Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?” New Living Translation “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” English Standard Version And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Berean Standard Bible “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” King James Bible 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? New King James Version Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” New American Standard Bible Then Elkanah her husband would say to her, “Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you not eat, and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” NASB 1995 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” NASB 1977 Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Legacy Standard Bible Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Amplified Bible Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you cry and why do you not eat? Why are you so sad and discontent? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Christian Standard Bible “Hannah, why are you crying? ” her husband, Elkanah, would ask. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible “Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than 10 sons?” American Standard Version And Elkanah her husband said unto 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? Contemporary English Version So Elkanah asked, "Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why do you feel so bad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" English Revised Version And Elkanah her husband said unto 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? GOD'S WORD® Translation Her husband Elkanah would ask her, "Hannah, why are you crying? Why haven't you eaten? Why are you so downhearted? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" Good News Translation Her husband Elkanah would ask her, "Hannah, why are you crying? Why won't you eat? Why are you always so sad? Don't I mean more to you than ten sons?" International Standard Version Elkanah her husband told her, "Hannah, why are you crying and why don't you eat? Why are you upset? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" Majority Standard Bible ?Hannah, why are you crying?? her husband Elkanah asked. ?Why won?t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?? NET Bible Finally her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why do you weep and not eat? Why are you so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" New Heart English Bible And her husband Elkanah said to her, "Hannah, why are you weeping? And why are you not eating? And why are you so sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" Webster's Bible Translation 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? World English Bible Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why don’t you eat? Why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd her husband Elkanah says to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart afflicted? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Young's Literal Translation And Elkanah her husband saith to her, 'Hannah, why weepest thou? and why dost thou not eat? and why is thy heart afflicted? am I not better to thee than ten sons?' Smith's Literal Translation And Elkanah her man will say to her, Hannah, why wilt thou weep? and why wilt thou not eat? and why will thy heart break? am I not good to thee above ten sons? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThen Elcana her husband said to her: Anna, why weepest thou? and why dost thou not eat? And why dost thou afflict thy heart? Am not I better to thee than ten children? Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, her husband Elkanah said to her: “Hannah, why are you weeping? And why do you not eat? And for what reason do you afflict your heart? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” New American Bible Elkanah, her husband, would say to her: “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why are you not eating? Why are you so miserable? Am I not better for you than ten sons?” New Revised Standard Version Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Hilkanah her husband said to her, Why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Behold, am I not better to you than ten sons? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Halqanah her husband said to her: “Khanna, why are you weeping, and why have you not been eating, and why is your heart sad? Behold, I am better for you than ten sons” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Elkanah her husband said unto 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?' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Helkana her husband said to her, Anna: and she said to him, Here am I, my lord: and he said to her, What ails thee that thou weepest? and why dost thou not eat? and why does thy heart smite thee? am I not better to thee than ten children? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Elkanah and His Wives…7And this went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the LORD, her rival taunted her until she wept and would not eat. 8“Hannah, why are you crying?” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” 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?” Ruth 4:13 So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. And when he had relations with her, the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 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 29:31 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. Luke 1:7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well along in years. 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.” Genesis 16:1-2 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. 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. 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. Psalm 113:9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah! 2 Kings 4:14-17 So he asked, “Then what should be done for her?” “Well, she has no son,” Gehazi replied, “and her husband is old.” / “Call her,” said Elisha. So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. / And Elisha declared, “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord,” she said. “Do not lie to your maidservant, O man of God.” ... Luke 1:36-37 Look, even Elizabeth your relative has conceived a son in her old age, and she who was called barren is in her sixth month. / For no word from God will ever fail.” Genesis 30:22-23 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. 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. Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Treasury of Scripture Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weep you? and why eat you not? and why is your heart grieved? am not I better to you than ten sons? why weepest 2 Samuel 12:16,17 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth… 2 Kings 8:12 And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child. Job 6:14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty. am not Ruth 4:15 And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. Psalm 43:4 Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Isaiah 54:1,6 Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the LORD… Jump to Previous Afflicted Better Eat Eatest Elkanah Elka'nah Hannah Heart Husband Mean Sad Ten Troubled Weep Weepest WeepingJump to Next Afflicted Better Eat Eatest Elkanah Elka'nah Hannah Heart Husband Mean Sad Ten Troubled Weep Weepest Weeping1 Samuel 1 1. Elkanah, a Levite, having two wives, worships yearly at Shiloh4. 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 Hannah, why are you crying? Elkanah's question to Hannah highlights her deep emotional distress. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a woman's worth was often tied to her ability to bear children. Hannah's barrenness would have been a source of great shame and sorrow. This question reflects Elkanah's concern but also his lack of understanding of the depth of Hannah's pain. The Bible often portrays God as attentive to the cries of the heartbroken, as seen in Psalm 34:18, which states that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted. her husband Elkanah asked. Why won’t you eat? Why is your heart so grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons? Persons / Places / Events 1. ElkanahA devout man from the hill country of Ephraim, Elkanah is the husband of Hannah and Peninnah. He is portrayed as a loving husband, particularly towards Hannah, despite her barrenness. 2. Hannah One of Elkanah's wives, Hannah is deeply distressed due to her inability to bear children. Her account is central to the account, highlighting themes of faith, prayer, and divine intervention. 3. Peninnah Elkanah's other wife, who has children. She often provokes Hannah, exacerbating her distress over her barrenness. 4. Ramah The hometown of Elkanah and his family, located in the hill country of Ephraim. It serves as the setting for much of the early account. 5. Shiloh The religious center where the tabernacle was located during this period. Elkanah and his family would travel here annually to worship and sacrifice to the LORD. Teaching Points Understanding Emotional DistressElkanah's questions to Hannah reveal a lack of understanding of her deep emotional pain. This highlights the importance of empathy and sensitivity in relationships, especially when dealing with issues of grief and unfulfilled desires. Value Beyond Circumstances Elkanah's statement, "Am I not better to you than ten sons?" suggests that he sees his love as a source of comfort. This can remind us that our worth and joy should not solely depend on our circumstances or what we lack. The Role of Supportive Relationships While Elkanah's attempt to comfort Hannah may fall short, it underscores the importance of supportive relationships in times of distress. We are called to bear one another's burdens and offer genuine support. Turning to God in Distress Hannah's account ultimately points to the power of turning to God in prayer when faced with deep sorrow. It encourages believers to seek God's presence and peace in times of trouble.(8) Than ten sons.--Merely a round number to express many. The simple narration evidently came from Hannah, who, no doubt, in after years loved to dwell on her past sorrowful life, contrasted with her present strange blessedness as mother of the Restorer of the people. Hebrew “Hannah,חַנָּה֙ (ḥan·nāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 2584: Hannah -- mother of Samuel why לָ֣מֶה (lā·meh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what are you crying?” תִבְכִּ֗י (ṯiḇ·kî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan her husband אִישָׁ֗הּ (’î·šāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person Elkanah אֶלְקָנָ֣ה (’el·qā·nāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 511: Elkanah -- 'God has created', the name of several Israelites asked. וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Why וְלָ֙מֶה֙ (wə·lā·meh) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what won't you לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no eat? תֹֽאכְלִ֔י (ṯō·ḵə·lî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person feminine singular Strong's 398: To eat Why וְלָ֖מֶה (wə·lā·meh) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what is your heart לְבָבֵ֑ךְ (lə·ḇā·ḇêḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine singular Strong's 3824: Inner man, mind, will, heart so grieved? יֵרַ֣ע (yê·ra‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3415: To be broken up, to fear Am I אָֽנֹכִי֙ (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I not הֲל֤וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no better ט֣וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good to you לָ֔ךְ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular Strong's Hebrew than ten מֵעֲשָׂרָ֖ה (mê·‘ă·śā·rāh) Preposition-m | Number - masculine singular Strong's 6235: Ten sons?” בָּנִֽים׃ (bā·nîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1121: A son Links 1 Samuel 1:8 NIV1 Samuel 1:8 NLT 1 Samuel 1:8 ESV 1 Samuel 1:8 NASB 1 Samuel 1:8 KJV 1 Samuel 1:8 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 1:8 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 1:8 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 1:8 French Bible 1 Samuel 1:8 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 1:8 Elkanah her husband said to her Hannah (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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