Bible Figure
Peninnah
woman in the Hebrew or Christian Bible, mentioned in the Book of Samuel
Peninnah was one of Elkanah's wives and the mother of children who repeatedly provoked Hannah because Hannah was childless.
Biography
First Samuel 1 contrasts Peninnah, who had sons and daughters, with Hannah, who was barren. Peninnah's repeated provocation intensified Hannah's grief during the family's annual visits to Shiloh. Scripture records no later narrative about Peninnah.
Biblical Significance
Peninnah's role provides the painful family setting in which Hannah turns to God in prayer and Samuel's birth follows.