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.
He had two wives: one was named Hannah, and the other was named Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
This verse introduces us to Elkanah's family situation - he had two wives, but only one of them (Peninnah) had been able to have children, while Hannah remained childless.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical book of 1 Samuel, this verse introduces Elkanah, a man from the tribe of Ephraim, who lived during the period of the Judges in ancient Israel, a time of tribal leadership before the monarchy. At that time, polygamy was a common practice in some cultures, including among the Israelites, though it often led to family conflicts, as illustrated by Elkanah's two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Hannah's childlessness was a significant personal and social issue, as fertility was highly valued for continuing family lines and securing inheritance in that patriarchal society.
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