1 Samuel 2:5 “The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no…”

1 Samuel 2:5

The well-fed hire themselves out for food, but the starving hunger no more. The barren woman gives birth to seven, but she who has many sons pines away.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

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.

World English Bible

Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread. Those who were hungry are satisfied. Yes, the barren has borne seven. She who has many children languishes.

American Standard Version

They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; And they that were hungry have ceased to hunger: Yea, the barren hath borne seven; And she that hath many children languisheth.

Geneva Bible 1599

They that were full, are hired foorth for bread, and the hungrie are no more hired, so that the barren hath borne seuen: and shee that had many children, is feeble.

Darby Translation

They that were full have hired themselves out for bread; and the hungry are [so] no more: Even the barren beareth seven, and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

Young's Literal Translation

The satiated for bread hired themselves, And the hungry have ceased. While the barren hath borne seven, And she abounding with sons hath languished.

Bible in Basic English

Those who were full are offering themselves as servants for bread; those who were in need are at rest; truly, she who had no children has become the mother of seven; and she who had a family is wasted with sorrow.

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Cross references

“full”

Luke 1:53 Psalm 34:10 Luke 16:25

Luke 1:53 · BSB

He has filled the hungry with good things, but has sent the rich away empty.

Psalm 34:10 · BSB

Young lions go lacking and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Luke 16:25 · BSB

But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.

“the barren”

Psalm 113:9 1 Samuel 1:20

Psalm 113:9 · BSB

He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!

1 Samuel 1:20 · BSB

So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

“waxed feeble”

Jeremiah 15:9 1 Samuel 1:6 Isaiah 54:1 Galatians 4:27

Jeremiah 15:9 · BSB

The mother of seven will grow faint; she will breathe her last breath. Her sun will set while it is still day; she will be disgraced and humiliated. And the rest I will put to the sword in the presence of their enemies,”…

1 Samuel 1:6 · BSB

Because the LORD had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival would provoke her viciously to taunt her.

Isaiah 54:1 · BSB

“Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD.

Galatians 4:27 · BSB

For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

4The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble are equipped with strength.

6The LORD brings death and gives life; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

Read 1 Samuel 2