1 Samuel 1:11
And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
1 Samuel 1:11 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse from the Bible tells the story of Hannah, a woman who was barren and desperately wanted a child. In her sorrow, she made a vow to the Lord, promising that if He granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the service of the Lord all the days of his life. This vow was a serious commitment, as it meant that the child would be set apart for God's work and would not have his hair cut, signifying his consecration to the Lord. This act of dedication was a way for Hannah to show her gratitude and trust in God, believing that He would fulfill her deepest desire. This story highlights the power of prayer and faith, as Hannah's vow was ultimately fulfilled when she gave birth to Samuel, who became a great prophet and leader in Israel. It serves as a reminder that God hears our prayers and responds to our deepest needs when we come to Him with faith and trust.
Theological Overview
The theological interpretation of this verse from 1 Samuel 1:11 reveals the deep faith and desperation of Hannah, who was barren and prayed to God for a child. In her vow, she appeals to the Lord of hosts, acknowledging His power and authority. By promising to dedicate her future son to the service of the Lord, Hannah demonstrates her commitment to God and her willingness to fulfill her vow if her prayer is answered. The phrase "there shall no razor come upon his head" is often interpreted as a reference to the Nazirite vow, which involved abstaining from cutting one's hair as a sign of dedication to God. Hannah's vow reflects her desire to fulfill her duty as a faithful servant of God and highlights the importance of keeping promises made to Him.
1 Samuel 1:11 in other translations
American Standard Version
And she vowed a vow, and said, O Jehovah of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thy handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thy handmaid, but wilt give unto thy handmaid a man-child, then I will give him unto Jehovah all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.
World English Bible
She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
Douay-Rheims
And she made a vow, saying: O Lord of hosts, if thou wilt look down, and wilt be mindful of me, and not forget thy handmaid, and wilt give to thy servant a manchild: I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Also she vowed a vowe, and sayd, O Lord of hostes, if thou wilt looke on the trouble of thine handmaide, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaide, but giue vnto thine handmaide a manchilde, then I will giue him vnto the Lord all the dayes of his life, and there shall no rasor come vpon his head.