King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 1:8 Mean?

1 Samuel 1:8 in the King James Version says “Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? a...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

1 Samuel 1:8 · KJV

Context

6

And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb. provoked: Heb. angered

7

And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. when: or, from the time that she, etc: Heb. from her going up

8

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?

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Elkanah's questions reveal both genuine concern and incomplete understanding. His threefold inquiry addresses Hannah's tears, loss of appetite, and grieved heart. His final question, 'Am I not better to thee than ten sons?' shows tender affection but misses Hannah's deeper longing. Ten sons represented complete blessing (Ruth 4:15), so Elkanah claims his love should compensate fully. Yet human love, however genuine, cannot satisfy every longing. Only God can fill the deepest needs of the human heart, and sometimes He withholds lesser goods to drive us toward greater ones.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The rhetorical question format was common in ancient Near Eastern literature for expressing devotion. Elkanah's comparison to 'ten sons' uses the number of completeness to express the fullness of his love, similar to Ruth 4:15 where Ruth is praised as 'better than seven sons.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How can human love, though valuable, fail to satisfy our deepest spiritual longings?
  2. What needs in your life can only be fulfilled by God rather than human relationships?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 19

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָ֜הּ2 of 19
H0
אֶלְקָנָ֣ה3 of 19

“Elkanah”

H511

elkanah, the name of several israelites

אִישָׁ֗הּ4 of 19

“her husband”

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)

חַנָּה֙5 of 19

“to her Hannah”

H2584

channah, an israelitess

לָ֣מֶה6 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תִבְכִּ֗י7 of 19

“why weepest”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

וְלָ֙מֶה֙8 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לֹ֣א9 of 19
H3808

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

תֹֽאכְלִ֔י10 of 19

“thou and why eatest”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

וְלָ֖מֶה11 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

יֵרַ֣ע12 of 19

“grieved”

H3415

properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e., (figuratively) to fear

לְבָבֵ֑ךְ13 of 19

“thou not and why is thy heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

הֲל֤וֹא14 of 19
H3808

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

אָֽנֹכִי֙15 of 19
H595

i

ט֣וֹב16 of 19

“am not I better”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לָ֔ךְ17 of 19
H0
מֵֽעֲשָׂרָ֖ה18 of 19

“to thee than ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

בָּנִֽים׃19 of 19

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

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 1:8 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 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ruth 4:15Job 6:14Isaiah 54:6Psalms 43:4John 20:15John 20:13

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