"And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Peninnah Meaning in the Bible
Peninnah
girl
Peninnah means "Pearl; Coral; Precious stone", a girl's name of Hebrew origin. Peninnah appears in the King James Bible, and 1 Samuel 1:6 is the passage most often tied to it. Peninnah's name — 'pearl' — ironically mirrors how pearls are formed: through irritation. The pain she inflicted on Hannah produced the prayer that gave Israel one of its greatest prophets. God transforms our deepest wounds into our most powerful testimonies.
Is Peninnah in the Bible?
Yes — Peninnah appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/peh-NIN-uh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningPearl; Coral; Precious stone
What does Peninnah mean?
Peninnah is a girl name of Hebrew origin meaning "Pearl; Coral; Precious stone". Peninnah means "pearl" or "precious stone" in Hebrew. She was the second wife of Elkanah and the rival of Hannah. Though she had children while Hannah was barren, Peninnah's role in Scripture is primarily as Hannah's antagonist.
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What does Peninnah mean in the Bible?
Peninnah means "Pearl; Coral; Precious stone" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Peninnah means "pearl" or "precious stone" in Hebrew. She was the second wife of Elkanah and the rival of Hannah. Though she had children while Hannah was barren, Peninnah's role in Scripture is primarily as Hannah's antagonist.
Peninnah "provoked" Hannah "sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb." Year after year at the tabernacle, Peninnah's taunts drove Hannah to tears and emotional anguish. This rivalry, though painful, was part of the crucible that forged Hannah's extraordinary prayer life.
Ironically, Peninnah's cruelty drove Hannah to the desperate prayer that produced Samuel — one of Israel's greatest leaders. What Peninnah intended for harm, God used for profound good. Her story illustrates how God can transform even the pain caused by others into instruments of purpose.
Where does Peninnah appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Peninnah is connected to 2 key passages in the King James Bible, beginning with 1 Samuel 1:6. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Peninnah?
Peninnah has 1 recorded variant, short form, and translation across languages and biblical traditions.
Variants & related forms
Which books of the Bible mention Peninnah?
Peninnah is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Peninnah?
Peninnah's name — 'pearl' — ironically mirrors how pearls are formed: through irritation. The pain she inflicted on Hannah produced the prayer that gave Israel one of its greatest prophets. God transforms our deepest wounds into our most powerful testimonies.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Peninnah:
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God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
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God Promises Courage for Every Battle
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Strength (עֹז (oz))
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Stone (אֶבֶן (eben))
A solid, enduring substance — representing permanence, witness, foundation, and Christ.
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What names are related to Peninnah?
Names like Peninnah
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Pearl; Coral; Precious stone" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Peninnah
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Peninnah
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Peninnah name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Peninnah appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Peninnah means "Pearl; Coral; Precious stone." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Peninnah comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Pearl; Coral; Precious stone." It appears in the King James Bible.
Common questions about the name Peninnah
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Peninnah?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Peninnah?
You can read every verse where Peninnah appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.