1 Samuel 1:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 1:7 mean?

1 Samuel 1:7 describes how, year after year, Hannah was provoked and made miserable by her rival whenever she went to the house of the LORD, causing her deep sorrow so that she wept and could not eat. The verse highlights the repeated emotional pain Hannah experienced during these annual visits to worship.

The setting is Hannah’s family making their yearly trip to the sanctuary at Shiloh. Hannah’s husband’s other wife, Peninnah, would taunt her because Hannah had no children. This ongoing provocation led Hannah to such distress that she would cry and lose her appetite, showing how deeply the situation affected her.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 1:7

• The word "provoked" (כַּעַס, ka'as) means to irritate or deeply trouble someone. In this context, it shows that Peninnah’s actions were not just teasing but caused real anguish for Hannah.
• The word "wept" (בָּכָה, bakhah) means to cry or lament. The use of this word emphasizes the intensity of Hannah’s grief, not just sadness but open, heartfelt weeping.
• The word "eat" (אָכַל, akhal) simply means to eat, but here it underscores how Hannah’s sorrow was so great that it affected her physically, taking away her desire or ability to eat.

Why 1 Samuel 1:7 matters

• This verse clarifies that Hannah’s suffering was not a one-time event but happened repeatedly, making her pain ongoing and not just a passing feeling.
• The verse sets up the emotional background for Hannah’s later prayer and vow, helping readers understand the depth of her desperation and faith.
• It shows the reality of family tension and personal pain even during religious observance, making the story relatable and honest about human struggles.