Good News Translation makes explicit the fact that Hannah’s rival is Peninnah, who was last mentioned in verse 4 in the Hebrew text. The Revised Standard Version translation of this term has the meaning of someone who causes distress or adversity, but certain versions choose to translate it just as “the other wife” (Bible en français courant) or simply repeat the name “Peninnah” (New Century Version). Many African languages have a special term for “co-wife” that is perfectly appropriate here.
Used to provoke her: as in the previous verse the verb form here implies something that was done repeatedly. This emphasis should be retained in translation. The idea of the adverb sorely (New Revised Standard Version, “severely”) is actually contained in the verb in Hebrew. Its presence in the Revised Standard Version rendering is an indication that the verb is a very strong one. English versions use verbs like “torment” (Revised English Bible) and “taunt” (New Jerusalem Bible). And New American Bible attempts to show the habitual nature of the taunts by translating “turned it into a constant reproach.”
The precise meaning of the Hebrew word translated to irritate is disputed. Though usually understood as “to irritate” (New Revised Standard Version, New International Version), the Hebrew word may be related to an Aramaic word meaning “to humiliate” (so Good News Translation, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Osty-Trinquet, Septuagint). In this context the meanings of the two words are not too different. A constant reminder of her barrenness would have been both an irritation and a humiliation to Hannah. Humiliation would be a way to “provoke her to anger” (Anchor Bible).
Another Hebrew verb with the same root consonants as irritate means “to thunder.” The causative form of this verb occurs in 1 Sam 2.10 and is translated as “he will thunder” (Revised Standard Version). Since the causative form of the verb occurs here also in 1.6, La Bible Pléiade translates the verb as “to cause her to rage.”
The Hebrew conjunction ki is rendered because in most translations, explaining why Peninnah tormented Hannah. But this word may also be translated “that.” This second meaning is found in New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, which says “her rival … would taunt her that the LORD had closed her womb.” If this interpretation is followed, the last part of this verse tells what the content of Peninnah’s words were, rather than why she taunted Hannah (as in Revised Standard Version). In this context the meaning is basically the same, whether one takes the Hebrew word as introducing the cause (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation) or the content (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh).
Anchor Bible understands this first verb to mean “to thunder” and renders it “complain aloud.” Anchor Bible also takes Hannah to be the subject of the second verb. Following this interpretation the preposition preceding the verb is understood to express result, instead of purpose as in Revised Standard Version, and the conjunction is rendered “that” instead of because. Anchor Bible says “Moreover her rival used to provoke her to anger, so that she would complain aloud that Yahweh had closed her womb.” This interpretation does not, however, seem probable and is not recommended.
On the meaning of closed her womb, see the comments on 1.5. Her womb refers to Hannah’s womb. If there is any danger that the pronoun may be understood as referring to Peninnah, then adjustments should be made in translation.
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .