1 Samuel 1:5

5 Mais il donnait à Anne une portion double, car il aimait Anne; mais l'Éternel l'avait rendue stérile.

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.


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 Or, cet homme montait de sa ville, tous les ans, pour adorer et pour sacrifier à l'Éternel des armées, à Silo; et là étaient les deux fils d'Héli, Hophni et Phinées, sacrificateurs de l'Éternel.
4 Et le jour qu'Elkana sacrifiait, il donnait des portions à Péninna sa femme, et à tous les fils et filles qu'il avait d'elle.
5 Mais il donnait à Anne une portion double, car il aimait Anne; mais l'Éternel l'avait rendue stérile.
6 Et sa rivale la mortifiait, même fort aigrement, afin de l'irriter, parce que l'Éternel l'avait rendue stérile.
7 Et Elkana faisait ainsi tous les ans. Chaque fois qu'Anne montait à la maison de l'Éternel, Péninna l'offensait de la même manière; et Anne pleurait, et ne mangeait point.
The Ostervald translation is in the public domain.