And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

1 SAMUEL 2:1KJV
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1 Samuel 2:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 2:1 mean?

1 Samuel 2:1 describes Hannah praying with deep joy and gratitude to the LORD, celebrating that God has lifted her up and given her victory over those who looked down on her. Hannah’s heart is full, her strength is renewed, and she openly rejoices because she has experienced God’s saving help.

Hannah is speaking these words after God answered her prayer for a child, following years of being unable to have children and being mocked by others. In this verse, she expresses how her inner feelings (“my heart rejoiceth”) and her sense of honor (“mine horn is exalted”) are transformed by God’s intervention. This marks the beginning of Hannah’s longer prayer of praise, often called her “song,” which sets the tone for the rest of the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 2:1

  • לִבִּי (libbi, “heart”): This word points to the center of Hannah’s emotions and thoughts, showing her joy is not just outward but comes from deep within.
  • קַרְנִי (qarni, “horn”): In Hebrew, “horn” is a symbol of strength or dignity. Hannah is saying that her sense of honor and strength has been restored by God.
  • רָחַב (rachav, “enlarged”): This word, used for “my mouth is enlarged,” carries the idea of being able to speak boldly or triumphantly, showing Hannah now feels free to speak up after being silenced by shame.
  • יְשׁוּעָתֶךָ (yeshuatekha, “thy salvation”): This word for “salvation” refers to God’s act of rescue or deliverance, not just spiritual salvation but real help in her life situation.

Why 1 Samuel 2:1 matters

  • This verse clears up that Hannah’s joy is not just about having a child, but about experiencing God’s personal care and intervention in her life.
  • The verse highlights how God’s help can change a person’s sense of self-worth and give them courage to speak out, especially after hardship or shame.
  • Hannah’s prayer sets a pattern for later biblical songs of praise, including Mary’s song in Luke 1, showing a tradition of responding to God’s faithfulness with heartfelt gratitude.

Where else these words appear

“rejoiceth” Hebrew H5970 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 16:32 Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein.
  • Psalms 9:2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
  • Psalms 68:3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice.

“Hannah” Hebrew H2584 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:2 And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
  • 1 Samuel 1:9 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.
  • 1 Samuel 1:19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

“enlarged” Hebrew H7337 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 26:22 And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
  • Psalms 25:17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses.
  • Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

“horn” Hebrew H7161 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 22:13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.
  • 2 Samuel 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
  • Jeremiah 48:25 The horn of Moab is cut off, and his arm is broken, saith the LORD.