פְּנִנָּה
Peninnah, an Israelitess
Definition
Peninnah is a proper name given to one of the two wives of Elkanah, the father of the prophet Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 1. She is specifically identified as an Israelitess. Her primary role in the biblical narrative is as the rival wife to Hannah, who was initially barren. Peninnah is depicted as having children, which in the cultural context gave her social standing, and she used this to provoke and irritate Hannah deeply because of Hannah's childlessness (1 Samuel 1:6-7). The name itself is likely derived from a word for 'pearl' or 'coral,' suggesting preciousness or beauty.
Biblical Usage
The name Peninnah is used exclusively in the opening chapter of 1 Samuel (1:2, 1:4). It appears only in the context of describing the family structure of Elkanah and establishing the tense domestic situation that sets the stage for Hannah's prayer and the birth of Samuel. The usage is purely narrative, serving to introduce a key character whose actions drive the emotional conflict in the story.
Etymology
The name Peninnah (פְּנִנָּה) is likely a feminine form derived from the noun פָּנִין (panin, H6443), which is thought to mean 'pearl' or 'coral.' It is a contracted or diminutive form, essentially meaning 'little pearl' or 'coral.' This etymology suggests a connotation of something precious, rare, or beautiful, which may have been the intended meaning of the personal name.
Semantic Range
Peninnah's role, while not theologically central, highlights significant biblical themes. Her provocation of Hannah underscores the pain of barrenness and social shame in the Old Testament, a recurring motif that God often reverses (e.g., Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel). This conflict sets in motion Hannah's desperate prayer at Shiloh, which models heartfelt petition and vow-making to God. The narrative contrasts Peninnah's fertility with Hannah's faith, ultimately showing that God's blessing and the birth of a key leader (Samuel) come through dependence on Him, not through human status or rivalry.
In the ancient Near East, polygamy was an accepted, though often problematic, practice. A wife's primary value and security were often tied to bearing children, especially sons. Peninnah, having children, held significant social leverage and security within the household. Her 'provocation' of Hannah (1 Samuel 1:6) was not merely petty teasing but a serious social and psychological attack, exploiting Hannah's greatest vulnerability in a culture where barrenness was often seen as a divine curse or disgrace.
None directly applicable as a proper name. For the concept of a rival wife, see: צָרָה (tsarah, H6862) — a rival wife or adversary in a polygamous context.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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