1 Samuel 1:15

Authorized King James Version

And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַתַּ֨עַן
answered
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
#2
חַנָּ֤ה
And Hannah
channah, an israelitess
#3
וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
אֲדֹנִ֔י
No my lord
sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)
#6
אִשָּׁ֤ה
I am a woman
a woman
#7
קְשַׁת
of a sorrowful
severe (in various applications)
#8
ר֙וּחַ֙
spirit
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
#9
אָנֹ֔כִי
i
#10
וְיַ֥יִן
neither wine
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
#11
וְשֵׁכָ֖ר
nor strong drink
an intoxicant, i.e., intensely alcoholic liquor
#12
לֹ֣א
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#13
שָׁתִ֑יתִי
I have drunk
to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
#14
וָֽאֶשְׁפֹּ֥ךְ
but have poured out
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
#15
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
נַפְשִׁ֖י
my soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#17
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#18
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

Within the broader context of 1 Samuel, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to 1 Samuel's theological argument.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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