This verse is from the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Let's break down what it means:
"She said, 'Oh, my lord...'": Hannah is addressing Eli, the high priest. She is speaking to him respectfully.
"...as your soul lives, my lord...": This is an oath or a respectful expression. It's like saying "As surely as you live" or "As true as you are." It's meant to emphasize the truthfulness of what she is about to say.
"...I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.": She is reminding Eli of a previous encounter. She is identifying herself as the woman he would have seen earlier, who was deeply distressed and praying to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God).
In summary: Hannah is telling Eli, "As surely as you live, I am the same woman you saw here before, fervently praying to God."
Context is Important: To fully understand the significance, consider the preceding events:
1. Hannah was barren and deeply distressed by her inability to have children.
2. She went to the tabernacle in Shiloh and prayed intensely, weeping and vowing that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to His service.
3. Eli observed her praying, but misjudged her to be drunk due to her silent weeping and moving lips.
4. Hannah explained that she was not drunk, but deeply troubled and pouring out her soul to God.
5. Eli then blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
Now, after some time (likely a year or so), Hannah has given birth to Samuel. She has come back to Shiloh to fulfill her vow and present Samuel to Eli. This verse is part of her introducing herself to Eli again. She is reminding him who she is, and that she is there to fulfill the promise she made to God.
Therefore, the verse is a key moment in the story as it signifies:
Fulfillment: Hannah is fulfilling the vow she made.
Gratitude: She is expressing her gratitude to God for answering her prayer.
Dedication: She is presenting her son, Samuel, to Eli to be raised in the service of the Lord.
Reconnection: She's reminding Eli of their previous interaction and implicitly showing him the result of his blessing.
This verse is from the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel. Let's break down what it means:
"She said, 'Oh, my lord...'": Hannah is addressing Eli, the high priest. She is speaking to him respectfully.
"...as your soul lives, my lord...": This is an oath or a respectful expression. It's like saying "As surely as you live" or "As true as you are." It's meant to emphasize the truthfulness of what she is about to say.
"...I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to Yahweh.": She is reminding Eli of a previous encounter. She is identifying herself as the woman he would have seen earlier, who was deeply distressed and praying to God (Yahweh is the Hebrew name for God).
In summary: Hannah is telling Eli, "As surely as you live, I am the same woman you saw here before, fervently praying to God."
Context is Important: To fully understand the significance, consider the preceding events:
1. Hannah was barren and deeply distressed by her inability to have children.
2. She went to the tabernacle in Shiloh and prayed intensely, weeping and vowing that if God gave her a son, she would dedicate him to His service.
3. Eli observed her praying, but misjudged her to be drunk due to her silent weeping and moving lips.
4. Hannah explained that she was not drunk, but deeply troubled and pouring out her soul to God.
5. Eli then blessed her, saying, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."
Now, after some time (likely a year or so), Hannah has given birth to Samuel. She has come back to Shiloh to fulfill her vow and present Samuel to Eli. This verse is part of her introducing herself to Eli again. She is reminding him who she is, and that she is there to fulfill the promise she made to God.
Therefore, the verse is a key moment in the story as it signifies:
Fulfillment: Hannah is fulfilling the vow she made.
Gratitude: She is expressing her gratitude to God for answering her prayer.
Dedication: She is presenting her son, Samuel, to Eli to be raised in the service of the Lord.
Reconnection: She's reminding Eli of their previous interaction and implicitly showing him the result of his blessing.