Anna
Israelite / Jew Jewish (tribe of Aser) · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Name means
- 'grace' (Greek form of Hannah)
- Role
- Prophetess in the temple
- When
- c. 6-4 BC
What they did
An aged widow who served God in the temple with fastings and prayers night and day; when the infant Jesus was brought to the temple she gave thanks and spoke of him to all who looked for redemption.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
Her faithful waiting and witness show that God reveals his salvation to those who seek him, and she was among the first to tell others of the Redeemer.
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (KJV)
Bible references
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; Luke 2:36 (KJV)
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. Luke 2:37 (KJV)
And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. Luke 2:38 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Phanuel
She had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity and was then a widow of about fourscore and four years (Luke 2:36-37).