anna Summary and Overview

grace, an aged widow, the daughter of Phanuel. She was a "prophetess," like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (2 Chr. 34:22). After seven years of married life her husband died, and during her long widowhood she daily attended the temple services. When she was eighty-four years old, she entered the temple at the moment when the aged Simeon uttered his memorable words of praise and thanks to God that he had fulfilled his ancient promise in sending his Son into the world (Luke 2:36, 37).

(grace), a "prophetess" in Jerusalem at the time of our Lord's Presentation in the temple. #Lu 2:36| She was of the tribe of Asher.

AN'NA (grace), a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. Luke 2:36. Her husband having died after she had been married seven years, she devoted herself to the Lord, and was very constant in her attendance on the services of the temple. She did not, however, live in the temple itself. At eighty-four years of age she listened to the prophetic blessing which Simeon uttered when he held the infant Redeemer in his arms, and joined in it with great fervor.

(Luke 2:36-37). Daughter of Phanuel, of Asher; a widow of 84; a prophetess, i.e. guided by Providence, when the infant Jesus was being presented in the temple, to come in "that instant," and enabled by the Spirit to discern and to announce to others the Messiah, and to render praises accordingly. After seven years of married life she had given up all other concerns to join the women who devoted themselves to a continual attendance at the temple services "night and day"; "a widow indeed" (1 Timothy 5:5). One of "God's own elect, which cry day and night unto Him," looking for the promised redemption "unto which the twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come" (Acts 26:7; contrast Revelation 12:10; Luke 18:7; compare Exodus 38:8). It is remarkable she is the only one of note mentioned in Scripture of the tribe of Asher, though the name means blessedness. A sample of an aged female's waiting faith, as Simeon is of an aged man's.