And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

1 SAMUEL 2:21KJV
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1 Samuel 2:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 2:21 mean?

1 Samuel 2:21 says that God blessed Hannah, allowing her to have more children—three sons and two daughters—after she had Samuel. Meanwhile, Samuel, the child she had dedicated to God, continued to grow up in the presence of the LORD.

This verse comes after Hannah had prayed earnestly for a child and promised to dedicate him to God if her prayer was answered. The verse highlights that God not only answered her prayer by giving her Samuel but also gave her additional children. It also notes Samuel’s ongoing growth and development in service to God, setting the stage for his future role as a prophet.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 2:21

  • "Visited" (פָּקַד, paqad): This word often means to pay attention to or care for someone. Here, it shows that God was actively involved in Hannah’s life, responding to her needs.
  • "Grew" (גָּדַל, gadal): This word means to become great or to grow up. It emphasizes Samuel’s physical and spiritual development as he lived before the LORD.

Why 1 Samuel 2:21 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Hannah’s story ended with Samuel’s birth; it shows God’s ongoing kindness to her beyond her first answered prayer.
  • The mention of Samuel growing "before the LORD" connects his upbringing directly to God’s presence, highlighting his special role from a young age.
  • The verse ties together themes of answered prayer, faithfulness, and God’s generosity, linking Hannah’s personal story to the larger narrative of Israel’s spiritual leadership.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“before” Hebrew H5973 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Genesis 48:12 And Joseph brought them out from between his knees, and he bowed himself with his face to the earth.
  • 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

“conceived” Hebrew H2029 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 30:17 And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:23 And when he went in to his wife, she conceived, and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house.

“And” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
  • Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: