Why Hannah Named Her Son Shmuel and the Heavenly Voice

Midrash Shmuel 3:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And Elkanah her husband said to her, 'Do what is good in your eyes; stay until you have weaned him; only may the LORD fulfill His word'" (1 Samuel 1:23). Rabbi Yirmiyah in the name of Rabbi Shmuel bar Rav Yitzchak said: Every single day a heavenly voice (bat kol) would go forth and resound throughout the entire world, saying, "A certain righteous man is destined to arise, and his name is Shmuel." Every woman who bore a son would bring forth his name as Shmuel; and when they would see his deeds, they would say, "This is Shmuel"—[but then they would say,] "This is not that Shmuel." And when this one was born, they saw his deeds [and] said, "It seems that this is he." And this is what is said: "Only may the LORD fulfill His word."

Themes

ProphecyDivine Promise

Biblical References

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