1 Samuel 1:8
Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?
Original Language Analysis
אִישָׁ֗הּ
her husband
H376
אִישָׁ֗הּ
her husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 19
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לָ֣מֶה
H4100
לָ֣מֶה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
וְלָ֙מֶה֙
H4100
וְלָ֙מֶה֙
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְלָ֖מֶה
H4100
וְלָ֖מֶה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
יֵרַ֣ע
grieved
H3415
יֵרַ֣ע
grieved
Strong's:
H3415
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, to be broken up (with any violent action) i.e., (figuratively) to fear
לְבָבֵ֑ךְ
thou not and why is thy heart
H3824
לְבָבֵ֑ךְ
thou not and why is thy heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
13 of 19
the heart (as the most interior organ)
הֲל֤וֹא
H3808
הֲל֤וֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
ט֣וֹב
am not I better
H2896
ט֣וֹב
am not I better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
16 of 19
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Ruth 4:15And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.Isaiah 54:6For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.Job 6:14To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.Psalms 43:4Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.John 20:13And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.John 20:15Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.1 Thessalonians 5:14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Historical Context
The rhetorical question format was common in ancient Near Eastern literature for expressing devotion. Elkanah's comparison to 'ten sons' uses the number of completeness to express the fullness of his love, similar to Ruth 4:15 where Ruth is praised as 'better than seven sons.'
Questions for Reflection
- How can human love, though valuable, fail to satisfy our deepest spiritual longings?
- What needs in your life can only be fulfilled by God rather than human relationships?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Elkanah's questions reveal both genuine concern and incomplete understanding. His threefold inquiry addresses Hannah's tears, loss of appetite, and grieved heart. His final question, 'Am I not better to thee than ten sons?' shows tender affection but misses Hannah's deeper longing. Ten sons represented complete blessing (Ruth 4:15), so Elkanah claims his love should compensate fully. Yet human love, however genuine, cannot satisfy every longing. Only God can fill the deepest needs of the human heart, and sometimes He withholds lesser goods to drive us toward greater ones.