1 Samuel 1:11 kjv

And 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.

1 Samuel 1:11 nkjv

Then she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head."

1 Samuel 1:11 niv

And she made a vow, saying, "LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

1 Samuel 1:11 esv

And she vowed a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head."

1 Samuel 1:11 nlt

And she made this vow: "O LORD of Heaven's Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the LORD, his hair will never be cut. "

1 Samuel 1 verses

1 Samuel 1 11 Meaning

This verse details Hannah's fervent and specific prayer, made during her deep anguish over barrenness, while worshipping at the Tabernacle in Shiloh. She solemnizes her petition with a conditional vow to God, stating that if He would alleviate her affliction, remember her, and grant her a son, she would in return dedicate him to the Lord for his entire life, specifically marked by the sign of a Nazirite (no razor cutting his hair). It encapsulates her desperate plea for a child, her faith in God's ability to intervene, and her willingness to wholly consecrate her prospective son to divine service.

1 Samuel 1 11 Context

This verse is central to the narrative of Hannah's barrenness and deep distress within a polygamist household, where her rival, Peninnah, had children and provoked her ceaselessly. The events occur during the annual pilgrimage to Shiloh, the site of the Tabernacle, where Elkanah, Hannah's husband, would offer sacrifices. While everyone else partook joyfully, Hannah wept bitterly and would not eat, symbolizing her profound spiritual and emotional turmoil. Her vow to God is the turning point of this personal struggle, articulating her faith and desperate longing directly to the Lord in the sacred space. This intense, heartfelt prayer at Shiloh contrasts sharply with the corrupt state of the priesthood under Eli's sons, setting the stage for Samuel's emergence as God's faithful prophet. Historically, male offspring were crucial for family lineage, social status, and economic security, making barrenness a profound social and spiritual stigma.

1 Samuel 1 11 Word analysis

• And she vowed a vow (וַתִּדַּר נֶדֶר, wa-ttiddar neder): This is an intensive or emphatic construction using a cognate infinitive (vowed) with its noun (vow). It emphasizes the solemn, deliberate, and binding nature of Hannah's pledge. This was a serious commitment before God, involving a specific promise in return for a divine favor. It underscores the weight and sincerity of her petition, showing her commitment to honor her part of the agreement.
• and said, O Lord of hosts (וַתֹּאמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, wa-ttommer YHWH Tzva'ot): "Lord of hosts" (YHWH Tzva'ot) is a powerful divine title appearing for the first time in the biblical narrative here, making it highly significant. "YHWH" is God's covenant name. "Tzeva'ot" means armies, multitudes, or heavenly hosts. It presents God as the Commander of heavenly armies, powerful and sovereign over all creation and historical events. This appellation acknowledges God's supreme authority, strength, and ability to intervene decisively, precisely what Hannah needed. Her choice of this title suggests an understanding of God's immense power beyond a local deity, recognizing His cosmic dominion.
• if thou wilt indeed look on (אִם־רָאֹה תִרְאֶה, im-ra'oh tir'eh): This Hebrew construction again uses an infinitive absolute before the finite verb, similar to "vowed a vow." It serves as a strong emphatic conditional statement, literally "if seeing, you will see." It conveys the earnestness of her plea, her desperate longing for God to truly acknowledge and pay attention to her plight. It's a prayer for God to not merely observe, but to actively regard her situation with compassion and intention.
• the affliction (עֳנִי, oni): Refers to her deep misery, distress, suffering, or humiliation. This is not just physical discomfort but profound emotional and social pain resulting from her barrenness and the constant taunting from Peninnah. It encompasses her deep internal burden and desperate longing for a child, viewed as a gift and blessing from God.
• of thine handmaid (אֲמָתֶךָ, 'amateka): A term of humble self-designation, highlighting Hannah's subservient posture before the Almighty God. It expresses her unworthiness and complete reliance on God's mercy and favor, emphasizing her dependence as a servant upon her Master.
• and remember me (וּזְכַרְתַּנִי, u-z'kharta-ni): To "remember" in a biblical context often means to take notice and to act decisively on behalf of the one remembered. It's not just intellectual recall but active intervention. Hannah pleads for God to remember His covenant promises and respond to her deep need with His power and faithfulness, much as God remembered Noah (Gen 8:1) or Rachel (Gen 30:22) by bringing about action.
• and not forget thine handmaid (וְלֹא תִשְׁכַּח אֶת־אֲמָתֶךָ, w'lo' tishkach et 'amateka): This phrase acts as a parallel strengthening of the previous plea to "remember me." Forgetting implies a cessation of care or action. Her plea is for a continuous, active, and beneficial divine engagement, reinforcing her desire for God's enduring concern and effective intervention.
• but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child (וְנָתַתָּ לַֽאֲמָתְךָ זֶרַע אֲנָשִׁים, w'natta la'amatekha zera' anashim): Literally "seed of men" – meaning a male child or son. This specifies the object of her intense desire. Culturally, a son was vital for inheritance, perpetuating the family name, and social standing. The lack of a male heir would have been devastating for a woman in ancient Israel.
• then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life (וּנְתַתִּיו לַֽיהוָה כָּל־יְמֵי חַיָּיו, u-n'tattiv lYHWH kol-y'mei chayyaw): This is the core of her vow. She commits to "give him back" or "lend him" (as she states later in v. 28) to the Lord for lifelong service. This indicates complete dedication, distinguishing it from temporary forms of service. It signifies her radical trust and sacrificial devotion, recognizing that any child would be a gift from God, and therefore due back to Him.
• and there shall no razor come upon his head (וּמוֹרָה לֹא־יַעֲלֶה עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ, u-morah lo'-ya'aleh 'al-ro'sho): This specific condition is the defining mark of a Nazirite vow (Num 6:5). A Nazirite was one set apart, consecrated to God through specific vows, including abstinence from wine and strong drink, avoiding defilement by the dead, and not cutting one's hair. This permanent Nazirite status for Samuel signifies his total dedication and separation for God's service from birth, setting him apart as unique, much like Samson (Judg 13:5) who was also a Nazirite from the womb.

1 Samuel 1 11 Bonus section

Hannah's deep agony and intense prayer served as a divine catalyst. God's response to her sincere plea not only ended her personal distress but also provided Israel with a key leader. The "no razor" condition for Samuel (paralleling Samson, another figure of divine appointment), marks him out as exceptionally consecrated from birth, reflecting his unique prophetic role even before he was conceived. Her dedication of Samuel illustrates the theological principle of God gifting life and calling for a portion, or even the entirety, of that life to be consecrated back to Him for His purposes. Hannah's experience profoundly demonstrates that God listens to the prayers of the afflicted, often choosing to work through seemingly desperate human circumstances to accomplish His greater divine plan.

1 Samuel 1 11 Commentary

Hannah's vow in 1 Samuel 1:11 stands as a powerful testament to fervent prayer, unwavering faith, and radical devotion. Her prayer is deeply personal and arises from intense suffering, yet it is directed to the "Lord of hosts," a title acknowledging God's omnipotent sovereignty. She appeals not merely for a child, but for God's "remembrance" and attention to her "affliction," signaling a desire for divine action within her life. The structure of her vow, conditional ("if you will... then I will..."), reveals a clear understanding of the sacred covenant between a person and God. What she requests—a son—is then committed back to God for a lifelong, extraordinary service, signified by the Nazirite vow. This total dedication is profound; it's a relinquishing of her greatest desire to the Giver. Hannah exemplifies a faithful Israelite recognizing that what God grants should ultimately be consecrated to Him. This humble yet determined interaction foreshadows the divine intervention that will raise Samuel as a crucial prophet and judge in a time of spiritual decline for Israel.