Hannah's Doubled Tears and Elkanah's Blessing at Shiloh

Midrash Shmuel 1:9

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And Elkanah her husband said to her: Hannah, why do you weep, and why do you not eat, etc.? Am not I (anokhi) better to you, etc." (1 Samuel 1:8). Rabbi Levi said: It is not written here "Am not I (ani)," but rather "Am not I (anokhi)." He said to her: Blessed be your portion, as you say, "I (anokhi) am the LORD your God" (Exodus 20:2). "And Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk; and Eli the priest sat upon the seat" (1 Samuel 1:9). This teaches that on that very day they appointed him High Priest. "And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore" (1 Samuel 1:10). Every deed of Hannah was in twos. Her provocation was in twos: "And her rival provoked her sore." Her portion was in twos: "But unto Hannah he gave a double portion." Her weeping was in twos: "And wept sore." Her seeing was in twos: "If You will indeed look." Her vowing was in twos: "And she vowed a vow."

Retold in these myths

The Name Hannah Taught God at the Shrine of ShilohA barren woman at Shiloh reached for a title of God no mouth had ever spoken, and heaven answered by counting her children like an army.

Themes

PrayerDivine Names

Biblical References

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