1 Samuel 1:5

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But unto Hannah {H2584} he gave {H5414} a {H259} worthy {H639} portion {H4490}; for he loved {H157} Hannah {H2584}: but the LORD {H3068} had shut up {H5462} her womb {H7358}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved Hannah, even though ADONAI had kept her from having children.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 1:5 profoundly encapsulates the poignant paradox of Hannah's life: though deeply cherished and honored by her husband Elkanah, as evidenced by the special portion he bestowed upon her, she endured the profound sorrow of barrenness. This verse explicitly reveals the divine hand in her condition, stating that "the LORD had shut up her womb," thereby setting the stage for a narrative of human anguish, divine sovereignty, and miraculous intervention that would ultimately bring forth Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel's history.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the introductory narrative of 1 Samuel, which establishes the foundational circumstances leading to the birth and ministry of Samuel. Immediately preceding it, we are introduced to Elkanah, a Levite from Ramathaim-zophim, and his two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. The text highlights Elkanah's annual pilgrimage to Shiloh to offer sacrifices to the Lord of Hosts. Verse 5 specifically details Elkanah's preferential treatment of Hannah during these feasts, giving her a "worthy portion," a demonstration of his deep affection. This act of love, however, is juxtaposed with the painful reality of her barrenness, which is directly attributed to God. The verse thus sets up the central conflict of Hannah's personal struggle, which is further exacerbated by Peninnah's constant provocation in [1 Samuel 1:6](/1_samuel/1-6 "1 Samuel 1:6 - Peninnah's Provocation"). Her barrenness is not merely a biological condition but a divinely ordained circumstance that will lead to her fervent prayer and God's miraculous response, ultimately paving the way for Samuel's birth and his significant role in Israel's history.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, the ability to bear children, especially sons, was highly valued and considered a divine blessing, while barrenness was often perceived as a curse or a source of shame. A woman's identity and status within the family and community were significantly tied to her fertility. Polygamy, though not the ideal, was practiced, and it often led to domestic strife, as seen in the rivalry between Hannah and Peninnah. The annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, where the tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant were located, was a central religious observance, underscoring the spiritual dimension of Elkanah's family life. The distribution of sacrificial portions was a common practice, symbolizing fellowship with God and within the family. Elkanah's giving Hannah a "worthy portion" (likely a double portion) was a public display of his profound love and honor, seeking to compensate for her childlessness and affirm her value despite societal pressures. The explicit statement that "the LORD had shut up her womb" reflects the Israelite worldview where God was seen as actively involved in all aspects of life, including conception and birth, rather than attributing such conditions solely to natural causes.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 1:5](/1_samuel/1-5 "1 Samuel 1:5 - Hannah's Barrenness") introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the book of Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully establishes the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Life and Conception**. The declaration that "the LORD had shut up her womb" underscores God's ultimate control over human fertility, a theme echoed in the barrenness narratives of [Sarah](/genesis/16-2 "Genesis 16:2 - Sarah's Barrenness") and [Rachel](/genesis/30-2 "Genesis 30:2 - Rachel's Barrenness") in Genesis, and later with Samson's mother in [Judges 13:2](/judges/13-2 "Judges 13:2 - Manoah's Wife Barren"). This divine intervention is not arbitrary but serves a greater redemptive purpose, often leading to the birth of significant figures in salvation history. Secondly, the verse highlights **Human Love and Compassion** in the face of suffering, as Elkanah's deep affection for Hannah provides a counterpoint to her anguish. His "worthy portion" signifies an attempt to alleviate her pain, even if it cannot resolve the core issue. Lastly, Hannah's barrenness, though a source of immense personal distress, serves as a **Preparation for God's Plan**. It necessitates a direct, desperate appeal to God, which ultimately leads to the birth of Samuel, a prophet and judge who would play a crucial role in Israel's transition from the period of judges to the monarchy, as detailed in the subsequent chapters of [1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "1 Samuel - The Book of Samuel"). This demonstrates how God often uses seemingly adverse circumstances to achieve His sovereign and redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Worthy portion (Hebrew, _’appayim'_):** The KJV translates this as "worthy portion," but the Hebrew word _’appayim_ (אפיים) literally means "double portion" or "two faces/portions." This term is unique in this context, but its root suggests "double." This indicates that Elkanah gave Hannah a significantly larger share of the sacrificial meat than he gave to Peninnah or her children, or perhaps a portion that was specially designated as a sign of profound honor and love. It was a tangible expression of his exceptional affection and an attempt to compensate for her childlessness, which was a source of great sorrow and social stigma.
* **Shut up (Hebrew, _‘atsar'_):** The Hebrew verb _‘atsar_ (עצר) means "to restrain," "to hold back," "to shut up," or "to close." Here, it is used in the Piel stem, which often denotes an intensive or causative action, emphasizing God's direct and active agency in Hannah's barrenness. This is not a passive state but an intentional divine act. The phrase "the LORD had shut up her womb" explicitly attributes Hannah's infertility not to natural causes or fate, but to the direct, sovereign will of Yahweh, setting the stage for His miraculous intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion":** This clause highlights Elkanah's deep and unwavering love for Hannah. Despite her barrenness, which in ancient Israelite culture could diminish a woman's status, Elkanah publicly demonstrated his affection and esteem by giving her a special, likely double, share of the sacrificial meal. This act was a profound gesture of honor and compassion, intended to comfort her in her sorrow and affirm her value within the family.
* **"for he loved Hannah":** This is the explicit explanation for Elkanah's generous act. His love for Hannah was profound and unconditional, transcending the societal expectation of fertility. This love stands in stark contrast to the emotional pain Hannah endured and the provocation she received from Peninnah, underscoring Elkanah's unique devotion to her.
* **"but the LORD had shut up her womb":** This crucial clause reveals the divine hand behind Hannah's barrenness. It is not a random misfortune or a natural deficiency, but a direct, sovereign act of God. This statement is pivotal, as it establishes God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly in matters of life and death, and sets the theological foundation for the miraculous birth of Samuel as a divine gift, not merely a biological event. This divine closure of her womb is essential to God's larger plan.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 1:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, which is central to the verse's emotional and theological impact. Elkanah's deep love for Hannah, manifested in the "worthy portion," stands in stark contrast to Hannah's profound sorrow caused by her barrenness. This human affection, though significant, is ultimately powerless to alleviate the divinely ordained condition. Furthermore, the verse uses **Divine Agency** by explicitly stating, "the LORD had shut up her womb." This direct attribution of Hannah's infertility to God's active will emphasizes His sovereignty over life and human destiny, making her condition not a random occurrence but a purposeful part of His plan. This divine action also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting that if God is responsible for closing her womb, He is also capable of opening it, thus preparing the reader for the miraculous birth of Samuel and the unfolding of God's redemptive purposes through him. The **Irony** lies in the fact that Elkanah's human love, while commendable, cannot solve a problem that only divine intervention can address, highlighting the limitations of human effort in the face of God's sovereign will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 1:5 is a foundational verse for understanding God's sovereign control over life, His often mysterious ways, and His ultimate purpose in human suffering. The explicit declaration that "the LORD had shut up her womb" places Hannah's barrenness squarely within the realm of divine providence, echoing similar narratives of barren matriarchs (Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel) whose infertility served as a precursor to miraculous births that advanced God's covenantal promises. This theme underscores that God is not merely a distant observer but an active participant in human lives, orchestrating circumstances, even painful ones, to accomplish His greater redemptive plan. Hannah's inability to conceive by natural means forces her into a desperate reliance on God, leading to a fervent prayer that is answered with the birth of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel's history. This teaches us that God often uses our deepest longings and perceived deficiencies as the very means through which He reveals His power and faithfulness, transforming personal anguish into a testimony of His glory.

* [Genesis 20:18](/genesis/20-18 "Genesis 20:18 - God Closes Wombs")
* [Psalm 127:3](/psalms/127-3 "Psalm 127:3 - Children are a Heritage from the Lord")
* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15 "Romans 9:15-16 - God's Sovereign Choice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 1:5 invites us to ponder the complexities of divine sovereignty and human suffering. Hannah’s situation reminds us that even when we are deeply loved and cared for by others, there are certain voids in our lives that only God can fill. Her barrenness, explicitly stated as God's doing, challenges our assumptions about what constitutes a "good" or "blessed" life. It teaches us that God's plans are often unfolded through circumstances that appear to be setbacks or injustices from a human perspective. Rather than being a punishment, Hannah's barrenness was a divinely orchestrated pathway to a deeper relationship with God and the miraculous birth of a prophet who would shape a nation. This verse encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing and His ultimate purposes, even when our present difficulties are inexplicable or painful. It calls us to respond to our own "closed wombs"—whether literal barrenness, unfulfilled dreams, or persistent challenges—with the same desperate, yet hopeful, turning to God that Hannah eventually demonstrates. Furthermore, Elkanah's compassionate love for Hannah serves as a model for how we should support and affirm those who are suffering, offering comfort and honor even when we cannot fix their deepest pain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you respond when God seems to "close a door" in your life, preventing a desire or dream from being fulfilled?**
* **What does Hannah's situation teach you about God's sovereignty over life's circumstances, even those that bring great pain?**
* **In what ways can you offer "a worthy portion" of love and compassion to those in your life who are experiencing deep sorrow or unfulfilled longings?**
* **How might God be using a seemingly adverse circumstance in your life to draw you closer to Him or to prepare you for a greater purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why would God "shut up" Hannah's womb and cause her barrenness?**

Answer: The Bible frequently portrays God as sovereign over all aspects of life, including conception and birth. In Hannah's case, God's act of "shutting up her womb" was not a punishment but a deliberate part of His divine plan to bring about the birth of Samuel, a pivotal prophet and judge for Israel. This seemingly adverse circumstance served several purposes: it highlighted God's unique power to open a barren womb, demonstrating that Samuel's birth was a miraculous divine gift rather than a natural occurrence; it drove Hannah to a place of desperate, fervent prayer and complete reliance on God, deepening her faith; and it set the stage for Samuel's dedication to the Lord from birth, ensuring his unique role in Israel's history. Similar narratives of divinely ordained barrenness leading to miraculous births of significant figures (e.g., Isaac, Samson, John the Baptist) are found throughout the Bible, emphasizing God's ability to work through human limitations to achieve His redemptive purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Hannah's barrenness and the sovereign hand of God in [1 Samuel 1:5](/1_samuel/1-5 "1 Samuel 1:5 - Hannah's Barrenness") finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. Hannah's "shut womb" leading to the miraculous birth of Samuel, a prophet who inaugurated a new era for Israel, foreshadows a greater spiritual barrenness and the ultimate divine intervention through Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is spiritually barren, unable to produce true righteousness or eternal life on its own, as described in [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned"). Just as God sovereignly closed Hannah's womb to highlight His power in opening it, so too did humanity's spiritual inability underscore the necessity of God's miraculous work through Christ. Jesus, the true "seed" promised in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"), entered the world not through human will but through the miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit in the virgin Mary, as detailed in [Luke 1:34-35](/luke/1-34 "Luke 1:34-35 - The Annunciation"). He is the one who opens the "womb" of spiritual barrenness, enabling believers to be "born again" not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but "born of God" ([John 1:13](/john/1-13 "John 1:13 - Born of God")). Hannah's desperate prayer and God's gracious answer prefigure the ultimate answer to humanity's deepest longings found in the person and work of Christ, who brings spiritual life and fruitfulness to all who believe, transforming barrenness into an abundance of grace and new creation ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.