Hannah
Pronounced HAN-uh
- Meaning
- "Grace; Favor"
- Origin
- Hebrew
Hannah means "grace" or "favor" in Hebrew, and her story beautifully illustrates the meaning of her name. Hannah was a woman of deep faith who endured years of barrenness and the taunts of her husband's other wife, Peninnah. Hannah's prayer at the tabernacle in Shiloh is one of the most moving passages in Scripture. She prayed with such intensity that the priest Eli initially thought she was drunk. When God answered her prayer and gave her a son, she named him Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord's service. Hannah's song of praise (1 Samuel 2:1-10) anticipates many themes of Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1. Her faithfulness in keeping her vow — giving her long-awaited son to serve in the tabernacle — demonstrates extraordinary devotion to God.
Spiritual meaning
Hannah's name — meaning 'grace' — reflects a life transformed by prayer. Her story teaches us that persistent, heartfelt prayer moves the hand of God and that our greatest gifts are meant to be offered back to Him.
Related verses (KJV)
"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him."
1 Samuel 1:27 (KJV)
"And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD."
1 Samuel 2:1 (KJV)