Peninnah is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the First Book of Samuel. She is known as one of the two wives of Elkanah, a man from the hill country of Ephraim. The narrative surrounding Peninnah is primarily found in 1 Samuel 1:1-8.

Family and Background

Peninnah was married to Elkanah, who was also married to Hannah. The text does not provide extensive details about Peninnah's lineage or background, focusing instead on her role within the family dynamics. Elkanah is described as a devout man who regularly went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:3).

Role and Relationship with Hannah

Peninnah is often remembered for her contentious relationship with Hannah, Elkanah's other wife. The Bible notes that Peninnah had children, while Hannah was initially barren. This difference in their maternal status created tension and rivalry between the two women. Peninnah is described as provoking and irritating Hannah, causing her great distress. The scripture states, "Her rival would provoke her and taunt her severely, because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb" (1 Samuel 1:6).

Religious and Cultural Context

In the cultural context of ancient Israel, a woman's ability to bear children was highly valued and often seen as a sign of divine favor. Peninnah's fertility contrasted with Hannah's barrenness, which may have contributed to the rivalry and Peninnah's behavior. The narrative highlights the emotional pain and social stigma associated with childlessness in that era.

Elkanah's Affection

Despite Peninnah's ability to bear children, Elkanah showed a particular affection for Hannah. The scripture notes that he gave Hannah a double portion of the sacrificial meat because he loved her, even though the LORD had closed her womb (1 Samuel 1:5). This preferential treatment may have exacerbated the tension between Peninnah and Hannah.

Significance in the Biblical Narrative

Peninnah's role in the biblical narrative serves to highlight the themes of faith, perseverance, and divine intervention. Her provocations towards Hannah set the stage for Hannah's heartfelt prayer to God, which ultimately leads to the birth of Samuel, a significant prophet and judge in Israel's history. Peninnah's actions, while negative, indirectly contribute to the unfolding of God's plan for Israel through Samuel.

Biblical Lessons

The account of Peninnah and Hannah offers several lessons for readers. It underscores the importance of compassion and empathy in familial relationships and warns against the destructive nature of jealousy and rivalry. Additionally, it illustrates the power of prayer and faith in God's timing and provision, as seen in Hannah's eventual blessing with a child.

References

· 1 Samuel 1:1-8, Berean Standard Bible Peninnah

pearl; precious stone; the face

Peninnah

(coral or pearl), one of the two wives of Elkanah. (1 Samuel 1:2) (B.C. 1125.)

Peninnah

The second wife of Elkanah the father of Samuel. See HANNAH. Their story illustrates the evils of polygamy, 1 Samuel 1:1-28.

PENINNAH

pe-nin'-a (peninnah, "coral," "pearl"): Second wife of Elkanah, father of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:2, 4).

6444. Peninnah -- wife of Elkanah
... 6443, 6444. Peninnah. 6445 . wife of Elkanah. Transliteration: Peninnah
Phonetic Spelling: (pen-in-naw') Short Definition: Peninnah. ...
/hebrew/6444.htm - 6k

Samuel the Boy Prophet
... Elkanah, a Zuphite of the hill country of Ephraim, lived at Ramah with his two wives,
Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/samuel the boy prophet.htm

The History of Saul
... This history maketh mention that there was a man named Elkanah which had two wives,
that one was named Hannah, and the name of the second Peninnah. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of saul.htm

Fret not Thyself
... We see a good illustration of this in the life of Hannah. Elkanah had two wives.
Peninnah had a number of children, but Hannah was childless. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk thirty fret not thyself.htm

That the Church which Before had Been Barren Should have More ...
... And in the first of Kings it is said that Elkanah had two wives: Peninnah, with
her sons; and Hannah, barren, from whom is born Samuel, not according to the ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/20 that the church which.htm

Concerning the Birth of Samuel; and How He Foretold the Calamity ...
... one of a middle condition among his fellow citizens, and one that dwelt at Ramathaim,
a city of the tribe of Ephraim, married two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 concerning the birth.htm

Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia.
... church. So likewise do Hannah and Peninnah of whom the former, at first
barren, afterwards exceeded the latter in fruitfulness. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxiii to ageruchia.htm

On Pentecost.
... This is S. Jerome's explanation. [4217] Psalm 79:12. [4218] Proverbs 9.i. [4219]
Zechariah 3:9. [4220] Psalm 119:164. [4221] 1 Samuel 2:5. [4222] Peninnah who ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xli on pentecost.htm

Peninnah (2 Occurrences)
...PENINNAH. pe-nin'-a (peninnah, "coral," "pearl"): Second wife of Elkanah, father
of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:2, 4). Multi-Version Concordance Peninnah (2 Occurrences) ...
/p/peninnah.htm - 7k

Penin'nah (2 Occurrences)
Penin'nah. Peninnah, Penin'nah. Penitence . Multi-Version Concordance
Penin'nah (2 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 1:2 And he had two wives ...
/p/penin'nah.htm - 6k

Hannah (13 Occurrences)
... On occasion of one of these "yearly" visits, being grieved by reason of Peninnah's
conduct toward her, she went forth alone, and kneeling before the Lord at ...
/h/hannah.htm - 14k

Elkanah (20 Occurrences)
... high position. He had two wives, Hannah, who was the mother of Samuel, and
Peninnah. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELKANAH. el ...
/e/elkanah.htm - 14k

Wives (159 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:2 and he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name
of other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. ...
/w/wives.htm - 38k

Elka'nah (20 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:4 And it came to pass upon a day, when Elkanah sacrificed, that he gave
to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions; (See ...
/e/elka'nah.htm - 11k

Peni'el (1 Occurrence)
Peni'el. Peniel, Peni'el. Peninnah . Multi-Version Concordance Peni'el
(1 Occurrence). ... Peniel, Peni'el. Peninnah . Reference Bible.
/p/peni'el.htm - 6k

Sacrificeth (22 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:4 And the day cometh, and Elkanah sacrificeth, and he hath given to Peninnah
his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions, (YLT). ...
/s/sacrificeth.htm - 13k

Portions (49 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his
wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS ...
/p/portions.htm - 22k

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 1:4 When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave to Peninnah his
wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions: (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV ...
/s/sacrificed.htm - 38k

Who was Hannah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Elkanah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the story of Hannah and Samuel? | GotQuestions.org

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