ABSTRACT
A variety of biblical women follow Miriam’s example by engaging in songs of thanksgiving. Hannah voices her song of thanks after the delivery of her first child into holy service. Her lyric is exceptional both for its poetic composition, and for the rhetorical authority it announces.1 Hannah’s song appears all the more remarkable because it follows an unusual performance-a silent performance-of prayer. Hannah’s private devotion marks a critical episode in the Bible since she is the first person who is not identified as a prophet to be shown addressing God in the sanctuary (Hyman 121). Furthermore, she is the first and only woman whose prayer is quoted in the Bible (Dennis 124). Hannah successfully asserts her faith and uses her faith to inspire and legitimize her words. This chapter explores the significance of Hannah’s language and activities as recognized in early modern Protestant texts. Though she appears in only two chapters of the Bible, Hannah represents for early modern Protestants the character of earnest petitioner, exemplary parent, and enthusiastic celebrant of divine glory. And she does this in the character of a woman.
