1 Samuel 1:19
And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ
And they rose up
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣מוּ
And they rose up
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
1 of 17
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
בַבֹּ֗קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַבֹּ֗קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֙
and worshipped
H7812
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲווּ֙
and worshipped
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
3 of 17
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 17
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיָּשֻׁ֛בוּ
and returned
H7725
וַיָּשֻׁ֛בוּ
and returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
6 of 17
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
and came
H935
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ
and came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 17
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֵּיתָ֖ם
to their house
H1004
בֵּיתָ֖ם
to their house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
9 of 17
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וַיֵּ֤דַע
knew
H3045
וַיֵּ֤דַע
knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
11 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Genesis 21:1And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.1 Samuel 1:11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.Genesis 4:1And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.Genesis 30:22And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.Psalms 25:7Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.Psalms 119:147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.Psalms 55:17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.Mark 1:35And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.Genesis 8:1And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;Luke 23:42And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Historical Context
Morning worship before traveling reflected Israelite piety. The concept of God 'remembering' (zakar) becomes a technical term in covenant theology for God's active intervention on behalf of His people. He remembered Noah (Genesis 8:1), Abraham (Genesis 19:29), and Rachel (Genesis 30:22).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for God to 'remember' you and your prayers?
- How do you see God working through natural processes to accomplish His supernatural purposes?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The family's early morning worship before departure demonstrates prioritized devotion. The verb 'remembered' (zakar) when applied to God indicates more than mental recollection - it means God turned His attention to act on Hannah's behalf. This divine remembering echoes Genesis 30:22 (Rachel) and anticipates God's remembering His covenant throughout Scripture. The phrase 'Elkanah knew Hannah his wife' uses the intimate biblical language for marital union, and God's remembrance means He opened her womb. Divine sovereignty works through natural means to accomplish supernatural purposes.