King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
She conceived; and in due time she gave birth to a son, whom she named Sh'mu'el, "because I asked ADONAI for him." "Sh'mu'el" is derived from shem El, "name of God," but sounds like sha'ul me'el, "asked from God."
Berean Standard Bible:
So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”
American Standard Version:
and it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bare a son; and she called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of Jehovah.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Wherefore it came to pass, when the time{H3117} was come{H8622} about after Hannah{H2584} had conceived{H2029}, that she bare{H3205} a son{H1121}, and called{H7121} his name{H8034} Samuel{H8050}, saying, Because I have asked{H7592} him of the LORD{H3068}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 41:51
- And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, [said he], hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
Genesis 41:52
- And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.
Matthew 1:21
- And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Exodus 2:10
- And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.
Exodus 2:22
- And she bare [him] a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.
Genesis 30:6
- And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.
Genesis 30:21
- And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 1:20
1 Samuel 1:20 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel. The verse reads, "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." This verse captures the fulfillment of Hannah's fervent prayer for a child, as recounted earlier in 1 Samuel 1.
Set within the historical context of the period of the judges, a time marked by spiritual declension and moral chaos in Israel, Hannah's story begins with her barrenness, a significant personal and social trial in the ancient world. Her deep anguish and faithful prayer at the tabernacle in Shiloh are central to the narrative. Eli the high priest initially misunderstands her silent, fervent prayer as drunkenness but then blesses her when he learns of her heartfelt petition to God.
The verse speaks to several key themes: the power of prayer and the faithfulness of God in answering the prayers of His people, the end of barrenness as a symbol of spiritual fruitfulness, and the dedication of children to God's service. Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord if He granted her request is a testament to her devotion and faith. The name Samuel, which means "God has heard," serves as a constant reminder of the divine response to Hannah's petition and the special role Samuel would play in Israel's history as a prophet, priest, and judge.
In summary, 1 Samuel 1:20 encapsulates the answered prayer of a faithful woman, the birth of a significant figure in Israel's religious history, and the themes of divine providence, prayer, and dedication, setting the stage for the influential ministry of Samuel, who would later anoint the first two kings of Israel and guide the nation through critical transitions.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H8622
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּקוּפָה
Transliteration: tᵉqûwphâh
Pronunciation: tek-oo-faw'
Description: or תְּקֻפָה; from נָקַף; a revolution, i.e. (of the sun) course, (of time) lapse; circuit, come about, end. - Strong's Number: H2584
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַנָּה
Transliteration: Channâh
Pronunciation: khan-naw'
Description: from חָנַן; favored; Channah, an Israelitess; Hannah. - Strong's Number: H2029
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: הָרָה
Transliteration: hârâh
Pronunciation: haw-raw'
Description: a primitive root; to be (or become) pregnant, conceive (literally or figuratively); been, be with child, conceive, progenitor. - Strong's Number: H3205
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַד
Transliteration: yâlad
Pronunciation: yaw-lad'
Description: a primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage; bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H7121
There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָרָא
Transliteration: qârâʼ
Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H8050
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמוּאֵל
Transliteration: Shᵉmûwʼêl
Pronunciation: sehm-oo-ale'
Description: from the passive participle of שָׁמַע and אֵל; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites; Samuel, Shemuel. - Strong's Number: H7592
There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאַל
Transliteration: shâʼal
Pronunciation: shaw-al'
Description: or שָׁאֵל; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand; ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, [idiom] earnestly, enquire, [phrase] greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, [phrase] salute, [idiom] straitly, [idiom] surely, wish. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.