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.

1 SAMUEL 1:11KJV
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1 Samuel 1:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:11 mean?

1 Samuel 1:11 describes Hannah making a solemn promise to God: if God will see her suffering and give her a son, she will dedicate that child to God for his entire life, with the sign that no razor will ever touch his head. This is Hannah’s heartfelt prayer in her distress over being childless.

In this verse, Hannah is speaking directly to God in the temple, pouring out her grief and longing for a child. She calls God “LORD of hosts,” recognizing His power, and refers to herself as His “handmaid,” showing humility. The promise that no razor will touch her son’s head means she is vowing to make him a Nazirite—someone set apart for God in a special way.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:11

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): Hannah addresses God by His personal name, emphasizing a close and direct appeal.
  • hosts (צְבָאוֹת, tseva’ot): This title, “LORD of hosts,” highlights God’s authority over heavenly armies, underlining His power to help in impossible situations.
  • handmaid (אָמָה, ’amah): Hannah calls herself God’s servant three times, stressing her humility and dependence on God’s mercy.
  • razor (מֹרָה, morah): The mention of a razor not coming upon the child’s head points to the Nazirite vow, which involved special dedication and separation to God.

Why 1 Samuel 1:11 matters

  • This verse shows the depth of Hannah’s faith and desperation, as she is willing to give up the very thing she longs for most if God will answer her prayer.
  • The reference to the Nazirite vow connects Samuel’s life to other figures in Israel’s history who were specially dedicated to God, like Samson.
  • Hannah’s prayer sets the stage for the birth of Samuel, who will become a major leader and prophet in Israel, showing how personal faith can have a wide impact.

Where else these words appear

“razor” Hebrew H4177 · used in 3 verses

  • Judges 13:5 For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
  • Judges 16:17 That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.

“vowed” Hebrew H5087 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
  • Deuteronomy 12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:
  • Psalms 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

“affliction” Hebrew H6040 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 16:11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
  • Nehemiah 9:9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;
  • Psalms 107:10 Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

“handmaid” Hebrew H519 · used in 49 verses

  • Genesis 20:17 So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.
  • Leviticus 25:44 Both thy bondmen, and thy bondmaids, which thou shalt have, shall be of the heathen that are round about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids.
  • 1 Samuel 25:41 And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.