But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved Hannah, even though the LORD had made her unable to have children.
This verse shows that Elkanah gave Hannah extra food at their religious feast because he loved her deeply, despite her struggle with infertility.
📚 Historical Context
In the time of the judges in ancient Israel, Elkanah was a man with two wives, Hannah and Peninnah, which was a common practice in that patriarchal society, though it often led to rivalry and heartache. Hannah was deeply loved by Elkanah, who showed his affection by giving her a double portion at meals, but she faced the cultural stigma of barrenness, which was seen as a personal and social curse in a world where children were viewed as essential blessings from God. This verse sets the stage for Hannah's story, emphasizing God's ultimate control over human fertility as part of a larger narrative leading to the birth of Samuel, a pivotal prophet in Israel's history.
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