Online bible study on prayer11/8/2023 Verse one tells us that Elkanah and his family lived in Ramathaim-zophim which means "the two heights.” The word zophim should be read as Zuphite, meaning that the city of Ramathaim is in the district of Zuph. Sin and idolatry also resulted in childlessness (Jeremiah 22:30 and Hosea 9:14) but of course, there were times when childlessness was due to natural causes (II Kings 4:14). The sword made others childless (I Samuel 15:33).ĭavid's wife Michal was childless because she despised him (II Samuel 6:23). Under the Mosaic Law, if one was to prostitute themselves they would be stricken with childlessness (Leviticus 20:20,21). Therefore, every married couple desired to be fruitful and have many children so they might be blessed. A father with sons was deemed to be a rich man. Having children meant material prosperity as well as marital pleasure because with children came the expansion of property and the increase of wealth and prestige. Elizabeth - Her reproach among men was taken away with her conception (Luke 1:25)Īnd now we see the same problem with Hannah, who must live in daily misery with her obvious inadequacy as a mother and every day it was made worse by the mistreatment of Peninnah.Rachel - Leah taunted her sister Rachel to the point where Rachel said "Give me children or I will die" (Genesis 30:1).Sarah - Hagar despised Sarah because she was barren (Genesis 16:4).Several times this situation comes up in the Bible: The sad misfortune of childlessness brought intense sorrow and disappointment to an ancient Hebrew home.Īmong Hebrew women, barrenness was looked upon with reproach or as a punishment from God which disgraced the wife in the eyes of the world. Nevertheless, the joy and importance related to the possession of children is seen throughout the Bible. As a result, she was blessed among all women (Luke 1:42). But that role was reserved for Mary of course. However, in the ancient world and in some cultures and families today, children are a blessing.Īfter the introduction of the Hebrew monarchy, all Hebrew mothers in the line of David hoped their sons might be the Messiah. Unfortunately, some today consider children a nuisance as evidenced by the epidemic of murderous abortions in America. They knew a flourishing family, with resultant benefits, could not be viewed as human achievement but rather as a gift or heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127-3). They understood that no human enterprise could succeed without God’s help. The people of Hannah's time understood this. The Bible tells us that children are a gift from God. Most likely this Hebrew word here means an Ephraimite or “a member of the tribe of Ephraim.” The two terms are used together in Micah 5:2 and in parallel in Ruth 4:11. This town is identified with the city of Bethlehem in Genesis 35:19 and 48:7. That Elkanah had two wives was not in line with what “was from the first.” Perhaps the circumstance that Hannah was not blessed with children led to this double marriage.Įlkanah belonged to the Zuphite clan (I Chronicles 6:34–35), that is, he was a descendant of Zuph, who is mentioned at the end of verse one of chapter one.Įlakanah is identified as an Ephraimite, likely associated with the town of Ephrathah. Penninah had children but Hannah had none. But Elkanah also had another wife named Peninnah. Hannah was the wife of a man named Elkanah. Because the story occurs in another culture and time, it's important for us to understand the background to fully appreciate Hannah's prayer.
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