Elkanah's wife, rival of Hannah
Peninnah
Named in 2 verses of 1 Samuel, first in 1 Samuel 1:2.
פְּנִנָּהPeninnah
The name means “pearl; precious stone; the face.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Married to
- Elkanah
About Peninnah Written by AI
Peninnah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, an Ephraimite man, and the rival of Hannah, according to 1 Samuel 1:2. Peninnah had children, while Hannah was initially barren. Elkanah would give portions of the sacrificial meat to Peninnah and her children, but he would give a double portion to Hannah because he loved her (1 Samuel 1:4 to 5). Peninnah would provoke and irritate Hannah because of her barrenness, causing Hannah great distress (1 Samuel 1:6 to 7). This rivalry between the two wives highlights the challenges of polygamy and the importance of children in ancient Israelite society. Peninnah's actions also serve as a contrast to Hannah's faith and prayerful response to her situation.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Where the Bible names her
- 1 Samuel 1:2
He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.
- 1 Samuel 1:4
And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.