King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 1:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 1:11 in the King James Version says “And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and rememb...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. a man: Heb. seed of men”

1 Samuel 1:11 · King James Version


Context

9

So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.

10

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. in: Heb. bitter of soul

11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head. a man: Heb. seed of men

12

And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. continued: Heb. multiplied to pray

13

Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.


Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
Hannah's vow contains several significant elements. She addresses God as 'LORD of hosts,' acknowledging His sovereign power over all creation. Her self-designation as 'handmaid' (amah, female servant) three times emphasizes humble submission. The request for a 'man child' (literally 'seed of men') would provide both personal vindication and national blessing. The Nazirite vow ('no razor upon his head') dedicated the child to lifelong sacred service (Numbers 6:1-21). Hannah's promise to 'give him unto the LORD' transformed a personal petition into an offering for God's purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Nazirite vow typically involved abstaining from wine, avoiding corpses, and not cutting hair. While usually temporary, lifelong Nazirites included Samson (by divine command) and Samuel (by maternal vow). John the Baptist would later follow this pattern (Luke 1:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does Hannah's willingness to give back the very thing she prayed for teach about true devotion?
  2. How might God be calling you to dedicate something precious to His service?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וַתִּדֹּ֨ר1 of 29

“And she vowed”

H5087

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

נֶ֜דֶר2 of 29

“a vow”

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

וַתֹּאמַ֗ר3 of 29

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַֽיהוָה֙4 of 29

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֜וֹת5 of 29

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אִם6 of 29
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִרְאֶ֣ה׀7 of 29

“if thou wilt indeed”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

תִרְאֶ֣ה׀8 of 29

“if thou wilt indeed”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

בָּֽעֳנִ֣י9 of 29

“on the affliction”

H6040

depression, i.e., misery

לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖10 of 29

“of thine handmaid”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וּזְכַרְתַּ֙נִי֙11 of 29

“and remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

וְלֹֽא12 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁכַּ֣ח13 of 29

“me and not forget”

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

אֶת14 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖15 of 29

“of thine handmaid”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

וּנְתַתִּ֤יו16 of 29

“but wilt give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַאֲמָֽתְךָ֖17 of 29

“of thine handmaid”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

זֶ֣רַע18 of 29

“child”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֲנָשִׁ֑ים19 of 29
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

וּנְתַתִּ֤יו20 of 29

“but wilt give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַֽיהוָה֙21 of 29

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כָּל22 of 29
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְמֵ֣י23 of 29

“all the days”

H3117

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 asso

חַיָּ֔יו24 of 29

“of his life”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

וּמוֹרָ֖ה25 of 29

“and there shall no razor”

H4177

a razor

לֹֽא26 of 29
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַעֲלֶ֥ה27 of 29

“come”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עַל28 of 29
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃29 of 29

“upon his head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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