Hannah (biblical figure) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hannah |
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Samuel Dedicated by Hannah at the Temple by Frank W.W. Topham
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| Prophetess | |
| Venerated in | Judaism Christianity |
| Major shrine | Tomb of Samuel, Israel |
| Feast | December 9 (Eastern Orthodox Church) |
| Attributes | Often shown as a woman praying to God for a child. |
| Patronage | Women who wish to have children |
| Major works | Song of Hannah |
Hannah (from Hebrew: חַנָּה, meaning "favor" or "grace") is an important woman in the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament. She was one of the wives of Elkanah and the mother of Samuel, a great prophet and leader of ancient Israel. Her story is told in the First Book of Samuel.
Contents
The Story of Hannah in the Bible
The story of Hannah is found in the first two chapters of the First Book of Samuel. She is a powerful example of faith and prayer.
A Family's Sadness and Hope
In the Bible story, Hannah was one of two wives of a man named Elkanah. His other wife, Peninnah, had children, but Hannah could not. This made Hannah feel very sad because she longed to be a mother.
Even though Hannah had no children, her husband Elkanah loved her very much. Every year, the family would travel to the holy Tabernacle in Shiloh to worship God. Elkanah would give portions of the sacrifice to his family. He always gave Hannah a special, double portion to show his love for her.
Hannah's Prayer at the Temple
One day at Shiloh, Hannah was so heartbroken that she went to the Tabernacle by herself to pray. She wept deeply and prayed to God with all her heart.
In her prayer, she made a special promise to God, called a vow. She promised that if God would give her a son, she would give the son back to God for a lifetime of service. This meant he would be a Nazarite, a person set apart to serve God.
Eli, the High Priest, was sitting nearby. He saw Hannah's lips moving as she prayed silently in her heart. He misunderstood what she was doing and thought she was acting strangely. But Hannah explained that she was not being disrespectful. She told him she was praying out of her deep sadness.
When Eli heard this, he understood and gave her a blessing. He said, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
A Promise Kept
God answered Hannah's prayer. She and Elkanah had a son, and she named him Samuel. This name means "Heard by God," because she had asked God for him.
Hannah was filled with joy. She cared for Samuel until he was a young boy. When he was old enough, Hannah kept her promise to God. She brought Samuel to the temple at Shiloh and presented him to Eli the priest. Samuel then lived at the temple and spent his life serving God. Hannah's faithfulness in keeping her promise showed her deep trust in God.
The Song of Hannah
When Hannah brought Samuel to the temple, she sang a beautiful prayer of joy and thanks. This prayer is now known as the Song of Hannah.
In her song, she praises God for his greatness and for helping those who are in need. She sings that God helps the humble and brings down the proud. Because of this powerful and wise song, Hannah is also considered a prophetess, a person who shares God's message. Her song is very famous and is similar to the Magnificat, a song of thanks sung by Mary in the New Testament.
After dedicating Samuel to God, Hannah was blessed with five more children: three sons and two daughters.
Hannah in Art and Books
Hannah's powerful story of faith has inspired people for centuries. Many artists have created works showing scenes from her life.
- William Wailes made a stained-glass window showing Hannah, Samuel, and Eli. It is in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Ambleside, Great Britain.
- A fresco (a type of wall painting) by Matteo Giovanetti from 1353 shows Hannah among other prophets from the Bible.
Her story has also been told in modern books, including:
- A Passionate Hope: Hannah's Story, Daughters of the Promised Land (2018) by Eileen Smith
- Hannah: Mother of a Prophet (2022) by H.B. Moore
- The Song of Hannah (2005) by Eve Etzioni-Halevy
See also
- Tel Arad
- Midrash Samuel
- Song of Hannah
