TIP OF THE DAY 141: Analyze time in a passage example 2

MJ. Smith

 I am adding these posts to the previous tip list L/V 10 Tip of the Day (when it doesn't time out)

POST ISSUE: Analyze time in a passage: example 2

In introducing the topic of time in scripture, we listed some of the ways time could be expressed: temporal prepositions and phrases, genealogical dating, event-base dating, specific time makers, chronological summaries, implied sequence, cyclic ritual time, pilgrimage feasts, additional Biblical festivals, . . . One must look for all of these possible time elements within a passage to analyze the use time within the passage. Both the Bible sense lexicon and the Louw-Nida semantic domains identify words related to time. Entering “time” in the Bible sense lexicon provides several key words which have numerous related terms below them. In the Louw-Nida scheme, 67.1-67.208 covers time itself. We will look more thoroughly at Louw-Nida time after consolidating what has been learned of time so far.

QUESTION: Do a time analysis of this passage: 12 As she continued praying before the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk. 14 So Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your sight.” Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer.[1]

ANSWER 1: from Perplexity with the prompt: Analyze the following text noting the elements that denote or imply time and sequence:: + text

This passage from 1 Samuel 1:12-18 contains several elements that denote or imply time and sequence. Let's analyze them:

"As she continued praying" (v. 12):

The use of "continued" implies an ongoing action that started before this moment.

"As" indicates simultaneity with Eli's observation.

"Hannah was praying silently" (v. 13):

The past continuous tense "was praying" denotes an ongoing action.

This provides background information concurrent with Eli's observation.

"therefore Eli thought" (v. 13):

"Therefore" indicates a logical sequence: Eli's observation leads to his conclusion.

"So Eli said to her" (v. 14):

"So" implies a consequence, showing that Eli's speech follows his observation and conclusion.

"How long will you..." (v. 14):

This question implies a duration of time that Eli perceives has already passed.

"But Hannah answered" (v. 15):

"But" indicates a contrast and a shift in the narrative focus.

"Answered" shows an immediate response to Eli's accusation.

"I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink" (v. 15):

The present perfect tense "have drunk" refers to a past action with present relevance.

"I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD" (v. 15):

The present perfect continuous tense indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

"I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time" (v. 16):

"All this time" emphasizes the duration of Hannah's prayer.

"Then Eli answered" (v. 17):

"Then" indicates a sequence, showing Eli's response follows Hannah's explanation.

"Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank" (v. 18):

Another use of "Then" to show sequence of events after the conversation.

The simple past tense verbs "went," "ate," and "drank" indicate completed actions in sequence.

"her countenance was sad no longer" (v. 18):

This phrase implies a change in state over time, from sadness to contentment.

Overall, the passage uses a combination of verb tenses (past continuous, present perfect, simple past), temporal conjunctions ("as," "then"), logical connectors ("therefore," "so"), and implied durations to create a clear sequence of events and convey the passage of time throughout the narrative.

ANSWER 2: from Perplexity with the prompt: Analyze the following text noting the how the sequence of events is expressed in language and noting the relationships between events: before, meets, overlaps, starts, during, finishes, equals: + text

This passage from 1 Samuel 1:12–18 presents a sequence of events involving Hannah, Eli, and their interaction at the temple. Below is an analysis of how the sequence of events is expressed in language and the relationships between events (before, meets, overlaps, starts, during, finishes, equals).

Text Analysis:

Verse 12:

"As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth."

Sequence of Events:

Hannah continues praying (during her prayer).

Eli observes her mouth (starts his observation during her prayer).

Relationships:

During: Hannah's prayer is ongoing while Eli observes her.

Starts: Eli's observation begins during Hannah's prayer.

Verse 13:

"Hannah was praying silently; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard; therefore Eli thought she was drunk."

Sequence of Events:

Hannah prays silently (equals ongoing prayer from verse 12).

Her lips move, but no voice is heard (overlaps with silent prayer).

Eli interprets her behavior and assumes she is drunk (finishes his observation).

Relationships:

Equals: Silent prayer continues from verse 12.

Overlaps: Movement of her lips occurs simultaneously with silent prayer.

Finishes: Eli’s observation leads to his conclusion about her being drunk.

Verse 14:

"So Eli said to her, 'How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Put away your wine.'”

Sequence of Events:

Eli addresses Hannah directly (starts their verbal interaction).

He accuses her of being drunk and instructs her to stop drinking.

Relationships:

Meets: Eli’s accusation meets the ongoing silent prayer (interrupts it).

Eli’s speech marks a transition from observation to confrontation.

Verse 15–16:

"But Hannah answered, 'No, my lord, I am a woman deeply troubled; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation all this time.'”

Sequence of Events:

Hannah responds to Eli’s accusation (starts her defense).

She explains that she has been praying out of distress (equals the silent prayer described earlier).

Relationships:

Equals: Hannah’s explanation aligns with the earlier silent prayer.

During/Finishes: Her response occurs during their verbal interaction and finishes the misunderstanding.

Verse 17:

"Then Eli answered, 'Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.'”

Sequence of Events:

Eli responds to Hannah’s explanation (meets her defense).

He blesses her and affirms that God may grant her request.

Relationships:

Meets/Finishes: Eli’s response meets Hannah’s explanation and finishes their verbal exchange.

Verse 18:

"And she said, 'Let your servant find favor in your sight.' Then the woman went to her quarters, ate and drank with her husband, and her countenance was sad no longer."

Sequence of Events:

Hannah expresses gratitude to Eli (starts a new action after their conversation).

She returns to her quarters (finishes interaction with Eli).

She eats and drinks with her husband.

Her sadness ends (finishes emotional distress).

Relationships:

Finishes/Starts: The conversation finishes as Hannah begins new actions (eating, drinking).

Equals/Finishes: Her sadness equals the emotional distress described earlier and finishes as she finds peace.

Overall Temporal Relationships Between Events

Event	Relationship
Hannah prays silently	Before/During/Equals: Continues throughout verses.
Eli observes	During: Occurs while Hannah prays.
Eli assumes drunkenness	Finishes: Observation leads to assumption.
Eli confronts Hannah	Meets: Interrupts silent prayer.
Hannah defends herself	Equals: Aligns with earlier silent prayer.
Verbal exchange concludes	Finishes: Misunderstanding resolved.
Blessing by Eli	Starts: New positive interaction begins.
Hannah returns home	Finishes: Interaction with Eli ends.
Sadness ends	Finishes: Emotional distress resolves completely.

Narrative Techniques Used to Express Sequence:

Conjunctions and Temporal Markers:

"As she continued" signals ongoing action (Hannah's prayer) while introducing simultaneous events (Eli observing).

"Therefore" links cause-and-effect (Eli's assumption based on observation).

Sequential Verbs:

Actions like "continued," "observed," "thought," "said," "answered," "went," "ate" create a clear chronological flow.

Dialogue for Relationships Between Events:

The verbal exchange between Hannah and Eli clarifies misunderstandings and transitions from confrontation to resolution.

Cause-and-Effect Relationships:

Eli’s assumption leads to confrontation; Hannah’s defense leads to blessing; blessing leads to emotional resolution.

Summary:

The passage uses explicit temporal markers ("as," "therefore") and dialogue-driven narrative techniques to express relationships between events. Actions are often sequential but include overlapping moments (e.g., silent prayer during observation). Relationships such as before, meets, overlaps, starts, during, finishes, and equals are effectively conveyed through linguistic cues, emphasizing both human misunderstanding (Eli's assumption) and divine resolution (Hannah's peace).

[1]The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 1 Sa 1:12–18.