The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 2:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And the Lord visited Anna, and she conceived, and bore three sons, and two daughters: and the child Samuel became great before the Lord.

Douay-Rheims

כִּֽי־פָקַ֤ד יְהוָה֙ אֶת־חַנָּ֔ה וַתַּ֛הַר וַתֵּ֥לֶד שְׁלֹשָֽׁה־בָנִ֖ים וּשְׁתֵּ֣י בָנ֑וֹת וַיִּגְדַּ֛ל הַנַּ֥עַר שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל עִם־יְהוָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Jerome of Stridon

4th centuryChurch Father

When Anna brought her son to the house of the Lord, dedicating him to God, she did not reclaim him, allowing the future prophet to flourish in the Lord's presence rather than in a household that sought after other sons. Thus, when Anna became pregnant and delivered her child, she refrained from entering the temple, not wanting to appear before the Lord without fulfilling her promise; after making such a significant offering, she returned home and gave birth to five more children, her firstborn being dedicated to God. Are you amazed by the joy of this devout woman? Strive to emulate her faith!

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.