What does 1 Samuel 2:5 mean?

"They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble." - 1 Samuel 2:5

"They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble." - 1 Samuel 2:5

The Bible verse 1 Samuel 2:5 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble."

This verse comes from the first book of Samuel in the Old Testament, and is part of a larger passage known as the "Song of Hannah." The Song of Hannah is a poetic expression of gratitude and praise to God for His faithfulness and provision. In this particular verse, Hannah contrasts the fate of the rich and the poor, the fertile and the infertile, in order to illustrate that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice and power.

Taken in its larger context, 1 Samuel 2:5 is part of a passage in which Hannah rejoices in God's deliverance and blessing. Earlier in the song, Hannah exclaims, "My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation" (1 Samuel 2:1). The song is a celebration of God's sovereignty and His ability to transform the fortunes of His people.

The verse 1 Samuel 2:5 contains several themes, including justice, power, and blessings. The first part of the verse, "They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased," speaks to the idea that the wealthy and satisfied will come to a point of need or desperation, while the poor and hungry will find relief. This highlights God's ability to reverse the fortunes of those who are materially rich or materially poor. It reminds the reader that earthly wealth and power are not ultimate, but that God is the one who truly provides and sustains.

The next part of the verse, "so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble," also underscores the theme of divine reversal. In ancient Hebrew culture, bearing many children was a sign of God's blessing, while being barren was considered a curse. However, Hannah's song emphasizes that God has the power to change these circumstances, and that those who are barren can bear many children, while those who have many children can become weak and feeble. This challenges the traditional understanding of blessings and curses, and instead points to God as the source of all blessing and power.

This verse also touches on the theme of God's sovereignty and justice. It illustrates that God has the power to humble the proud and exalt the humble. In the song as a whole, Hannah declares that it is God who brings life and death, who makes rich and poor, who brings low and lifts up (1 Samuel 2:6-7). This serves as a reminder that God is the one who ultimately holds power and authority over all aspects of life, and that His justice will ultimately prevail.

Symbolically, 1 Samuel 2:5 can be seen as representing the idea of God's ability to bring about transformation and change. It portrays the reordering of social status, material provision, and fertility as a symbol of God's sovereignty and divine justice. The verse challenges the reader to trust in God's ability to bring about unexpected and profound shifts in circumstances, and to recognize His authority over all aspects of life.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 2:5 is a powerful and poetic verse that highlights the themes of justice, power, and blessings within the larger context of Hannah's song of praise. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to reverse fortunes, His sovereignty over all aspects of life, and His ultimate justice. The verse challenges the reader to place their trust in God as the ultimate source of power and provision, and to recognize His ability to bring about transformation and change.

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1 Samuel 2:5 Artwork

1 Samuel 2:5 - "They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble."

1 Samuel 2:5 - "They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble."

"They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble." - 1 Samuel 2:5

"They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble." - 1 Samuel 2:5

1 Samuel 5:2 - "When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon."

1 Samuel 5:2 - "When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon."

2 Samuel 1:5 - "And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?"

2 Samuel 1:5 - "And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?"

2 Samuel 5:1 - "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh."

2 Samuel 5:1 - "Then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh."

1 Samuel 2:12

1 Samuel 2:12

2 Samuel 5:12

2 Samuel 5:12

2 Samuel 5:16 - "And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet."

2 Samuel 5:16 - "And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet."

2 Samuel 5:15 - "Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,"

2 Samuel 5:15 - "Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,"

1 Samuel 7:5 - "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD."

1 Samuel 7:5 - "And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD."

1 Samuel 5: 3-4

1 Samuel 5: 3-4

2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."

2 Samuel 5:21 - "And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them."

2 Samuel 5:18 - "The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."

2 Samuel 5:18 - "The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."

1 Samuel 15:5 - "And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley."

1 Samuel 15:5 - "And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley."

"When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon." - 1 Samuel 5:2

"When the Philistines took the ark of God, they brought it into the house of Dagon, and set it by Dagon." - 1 Samuel 5:2

2 Samuel 5:7 - "Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David."

2 Samuel 5:7 - "Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David."

1 Samuel 5:1 - "And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod."

1 Samuel 5:1 - "And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Eben-ezer unto Ashdod."

2 Samuel 5:10 - "And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him."

2 Samuel 5:10 - "And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him."

2 Samuel 11:5 - "And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child."

2 Samuel 11:5 - "And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child."

2 Samuel 5:22 - "¶ And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."

2 Samuel 5:22 - "¶ And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim."

"And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet." - 2 Samuel 5:16

"And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet." - 2 Samuel 5:16

2 Samuel 3:5 - "And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron."

2 Samuel 3:5 - "And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron."

1 Samuel 5:5 - "Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day."

1 Samuel 5:5 - "Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day."

1 Samuel 2:26 - "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men."

1 Samuel 2:26 - "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men."

1 Samuel 2:18 - "¶ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod."

1 Samuel 2:18 - "¶ But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod."

2 Samuel 2:5 - "¶ And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him."

2 Samuel 2:5 - "¶ And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him."

1 Samuel 9:1-2

1 Samuel 9:1-2

2 Samuel 5:5 - "In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah."

2 Samuel 5:5 - "In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah."

2 Samuel 22:5 - "When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;"

2 Samuel 22:5 - "When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;"

2 Samuel 5:14 - "And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,"

2 Samuel 5:14 - "And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammua, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,"