Girl Old Testament Rare
Peninnah
pearl; precious stone; the face
פְּנִנָּה pe.nin.nah
Peninnah (Hebrew: פְּנִנָּה, pe.nin.nah) means “pearl; precious stone; the face”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 2 verses across 1 book of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears in the same passages as Elihu.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Peninnah
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 2 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 1:2 |
| Last appears | 1 Samuel 1:4 |
| Cross-references | 27 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Elkanah co-occurrence Appears with Elkanah in 1 Samuel 1.
- Hannah co-occurrence Appears with Hannah in 1 Samuel 1.
- Jeroham co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Jeroham.
- Elihu co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Elihu.
- Zuph co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Zuph.
- Tohu co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Tohu.
- Hophni co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Hophni.
- Phinehas co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Phinehas.
Origin & meaning
A woman living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.1.2; married to Elkanah (H0511H)
§ Peninnah = "jewel"
the other wife of Elkanah besides Hannah
Peninnah, one of Elkanah's two wives and the rival of Hannah, Samuel's mother.
The biblical story
Peninnah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, an Ephraimite man, and the rival of Hannah, according to 1Sa.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 (1Sa.1.4-5). Peninnah would provoke and irritate Hannah because of her barrenness, causing Hannah great distress (1Sa.1.6-7). 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.
Key verses
Peninnah appears in 2 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
And he had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
1 Samuel 1:2 -
And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
1 Samuel 1:4
Show all 2 references
1 Samuel (2)
- 1 Samuel 1:2
- 1 Samuel 1:4