The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

1 Samuel 1

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Nevi'im — the Prophets

1 Samuel chapter 1 — part of the Nevi'im — the Prophets in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “NOW THERE was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu,…” — the complete text of all 28 verses is below, free to read online.

1NOW THERE was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of the hill-country of Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah, the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

2And he had two wives: the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah; and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.

3And this man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice unto HaShem of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there priests unto HaShem.

4And it came to pass upon a day, when Elkanah sacrificed, that he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions;

5but unto Hannah he gave a double portion; for he loved Hannah, but HaShem had shut up her womb.

6And her rival vexed her sore, to make her fret, because HaShem had shut up her womb.

7And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of HaShem, so she vexed her; therefore she wept, and would not eat.

8And Elkanah her husband said unto 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?'

9So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk--now Eli the priest sat upon his seat by the door-post of the temple of HaShem;

10and she was in bitterness of soul--and prayed unto HaShem, and wept sore.

11And she vowed a vow, and said: 'O HaShem of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget Thy handmaid, but wilt give unto Thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto HaShem all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.'

12And it came to pass, as she prayed long before HaShem, that Eli watched her mouth.

13Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice could not be heard; therefore, Eli thought she had been drunken.

14And Eli said unto her: 'How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.'

15And Hannah answered and said: 'No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before HaShem.

16Count not thy handmaid for a wicked woman: for out of the abundance of my complaint and my vexation have I spoken hitherto.'

17Then Eli answered and said: 'Go in peace, and the G-d of Israel grant thy petition that thou hast asked of Him.'

18And she said: 'Let thy servant find favour in thy sight.' So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.

19And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before HaShem, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah; and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and HaShem remembered her.

20And it came to pass, when the time was come about, that Hannah conceived, and bore a son; and she called his name Samuel: 'because I have asked him of HaShem.'

21And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto HaShem the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband: 'Until the child be weaned, when I will bring him, that he may appear before HaShem, and there abide for ever.'

23And Elkanah her husband said unto her: 'Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only HaShem establish His word.' So the woman tarried and gave her son suck, until she weaned him.

24And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of meal, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of HaShem in Shiloh; and the child was young.

25And when the bullock was slain, the child was brought to Eli.

26And she said: 'Oh, my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto HaShem.

27For this child I prayed; and HaShem hath granted me my petition which I asked of Him;

28therefore I also have lent him to HaShem; as long as he liveth he is lent to HaShem.' And he worshipped HaShem there.

28 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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