פְּנִנָּה (pe.nin.nah)
pe.nin.nah
Peninnah
N:N-F-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-F-P
Word Overview
Peninnah is a proper name in Hebrew that translates to "jewel" or "pearl." It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the first chapter of 1 Samuel. The text identifies her as one of the two wives of Elkanah, serving as the counterpart to Hannah, the other wife who was barren.
While the name itself carries a positive meaning associated with value and beauty, the narrative context presents a complex family dynamic. Peninnah is described as having children, which she uses to provoke Hannah during their annual visits to the sanctuary. This contrast highlights the tension between outward prosperity and inner longing within the household.
Her brief appearance serves a crucial literary function in the biblical account. By embodying the status of a mother with many children, Peninnah’s presence intensifies Hannah’s distress, thereby setting the stage for Hannah’s fervent prayer. This interaction leads to the birth of Samuel, a pivotal figure in Israel’s history, demonstrating how personal conflict can intersect with divine purpose.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Peninnah means "jewel" or "pearl." In the story of 1 Samuel, she is Elkanah’s other wife, the one who has children while Hannah remains barren. Her presence highlights a painful contrast: outward blessing versus inner longing. This tension drives the narrative forward, pushing Hannah to pour out her heart in prayer.
For readers today, Peninnah reminds us that family dynamics can be complex and hurtful. Even when someone seems to have everything—children, status, favor—they may still act from insecurity or pain. Her role shows how human conflict can set the stage for divine intervention. Hannah’s tears lead to Samuel, a prophet who will shape Israel’s future.
Though Peninnah appears briefly, her story invites empathy. It asks us to look beyond surface blessings and consider the hidden struggles of those around us. In times of comparison or envy, we can remember that God sees the heart. Hannah’s faithful prayer changed history, showing that deep longing, when brought to God, becomes a channel for His purposes.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- to/ Peninnah2×
- [was] Peninnah1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- פְּנִנָּ֑ה1×
- לִ/פְנִנָּה֙1×
- לִ/פְנִנָּ֣ה1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:2
He had two wives. The name of one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
This verse introduces Peninnah as the wife with children, establishing the central contrast with barren Hannah that drives the chapter's emotional tension.
-
I Samuel 1:4
When the day came that Elkanah sacrificed, he gave portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and her daughters;
Here, Elkanah’s act of giving portions to Peninnah and her children highlights the favoritism or inequality that provokes Hannah’s distress during their sanctuary visits.