And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

1 SAMUEL 1:26KJV
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1 Samuel 1:26 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:26 mean?

1 Samuel 1:26 shows Hannah respectfully addressing Eli the priest, reminding him that she is the woman who had previously stood before him, praying earnestly to the LORD. Hannah identifies herself and refers to her earlier prayer, setting the stage for explaining how God answered her request.

In this verse, Hannah is speaking directly to Eli in the temple after she has brought her young son Samuel to dedicate him to the LORD. She uses a respectful greeting, calling Eli "my lord," and swears by his life to emphasize her sincerity. Hannah’s words recall her earlier distress and prayer, highlighting the fulfillment of her vow to God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:26

  • "lord" (אֲדֹנִי, adoni): Hannah uses this word twice to address Eli with deep respect, showing her humility and recognizing his authority as priest.
  • "soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): The phrase "as thy soul liveth" is a Hebrew way of making a solemn oath, meaning "as surely as you live," which underscores the seriousness and honesty of her statement.
  • "praying" (פָּלַל, palal): This word means to intercede or plead in prayer. Hannah reminds Eli that her earlier presence was not idle but a heartfelt act of seeking God.

Why 1 Samuel 1:26 matters

  • This verse clears up any confusion Eli might have had about Hannah’s identity, connecting her current joy with her earlier sorrowful prayer.
  • The respectful language and oath show Hannah’s humility and the seriousness with which she approaches both Eli and God.
  • By referencing her earlier prayer, Hannah sets up the story’s turning point: God’s faithfulness in answering heartfelt prayers, which is central to the chapter’s message.

Where else these words appear

“Oh” Hebrew H994 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 43:20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:
  • Exodus 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
  • Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

“stood” Hebrew H5324 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • Numbers 23:6 And he returned unto him, and, lo, he stood by his burnt sacrifice, he, and all the princes of Moab.
  • 1 Kings 9:23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

“praying” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 2 Kings 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
  • Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.