1 Samuel 1:5

5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved Hannah, even though ADONAI had kept her from having children.

1 Samuel 1:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 1:5

But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion
Or, one choice portion, as the Targum; the best part or portion in the peace offering, of what the priest had not; he had the breast and the right shoulder, the next best piece he gave to Hannah; and the word being of the dual number, some render it a double portion; others, "one part of two faces" ^F8; which Jerom interprets, which might be received with a cheerful countenance, it was so good and excellent in its kind; others interpret it that he gave it with a sorrowful ^F9 and displeased countenance, because of the reason following, that she had no children; but Ben Gersom understands it of a part or portion of meat that had two faces or appearances; that he gave her one of the pieces, one part of which was very fat, and the other had no fat on it, so that she might choose what she liked best:

for he loved Hannah;
loved her best, and therefore did everything to please her, and make her comfortable under her affliction for want of children, and to express his tender affection for her:

but the Lord had shut up her womb;
restrained her from conception, and bearing children; see ( Genesis 20:18 ) or "though the Lord had shut up her womb" ^F11; this did not abate his love to her.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 (Mypa txa hnm) "unam portionem duarum facicrum", Sanctius Belgae.
F9 Sic Stockins, p. 79.
F11 (hwhyw) "quanquam Jehovah", Piscator.

1 Samuel 1:5 In-Context

3 This man went up from his city every year to worship and sacrifice to ADONAI-Tzva'ot in Shiloh. The two sons of 'Eli, Hofni and Pinchas, were cohanim of ADONAI there.

4 One day, when Elkanah was sacrificing, he gave a portion of the sacrifice to his wife P'ninah and portions to each of her sons and daughters;

5 but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved Hannah, even though ADONAI had kept her from having children.

6 Her rival taunted her and made her feel bad, because ADONAI had kept her from having children.

7 He did the same every year; and each time she went up to the house of ADONAI, she taunted her so much that she would cry and not eat.