Topical Encyclopedia
Anna is a significant figure in the New Testament, known for her devout faith and prophetic role. Her account is briefly mentioned in the Gospel of Luke, where she is presented as a model of piety and devotion to God.
Biblical AccountAnna is introduced in
Luke 2:36-38. She is described as a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. The text notes her advanced age, stating that she had been married for seven years before becoming a widow. After her husband's death, Anna dedicated her life to worship, spending her days and nights in the temple, fasting and praying. The Berean Standard Bible recounts her encounter with the infant Jesus: "Coming forward at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the Child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" (
Luke 2:38).
Historical and Cultural ContextAnna's presence in the temple highlights the role of women in the religious life of Israel. As a prophetess, she is part of a long tradition of female prophets in the Bible, such as Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah. Her lineage from the tribe of Asher, one of the northern tribes of Israel, is noteworthy, as it underscores the gathering of all Israel in anticipation of the Messiah.
Theological SignificanceAnna's life exemplifies unwavering faith and devotion. Her constant presence in the temple and her acts of fasting and prayer reflect a deep commitment to God. Her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and her proclamation to those awaiting redemption underscore her prophetic gift and spiritual insight. Anna's testimony is significant as it confirms the messianic identity of Jesus to those present in the temple.
Lessons from Anna's LifeAnna's account offers several lessons for believers. Her dedication to prayer and worship serves as an example of a life centered on God. Her ability to recognize Jesus as the Messiah highlights the importance of spiritual discernment. Furthermore, her role as a prophetess and her public proclamation of Jesus' identity demonstrate the active participation of women in God's redemptive plan.
LegacyAnna's brief but impactful appearance in the Gospel of Luke has left a lasting legacy in Christian tradition. She is often remembered for her faithfulness and her role in heralding the arrival of the Savior. Her account continues to inspire believers to live lives of devotion and to seek God's presence with fervor and dedication.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Annagracious; one who gives
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Anna(grace), a "prophetess" in Jerusalem at the time of our Lord's Presentation in the temple. (Luke 2:36) She was of the tribe of Asher.
ATS Bible Dictionary
AnnaA daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, early married, but left a widow after seven years, and thenceforth devoted to the service of God. She was constant in attendance at the morning and evening sacrifices at the temple; and there, at the age of eighty- four years, was blessed with a sight of the infant Savior, and inspired to announce the coming of the promised Messiah to many who longed to see him,Luke 2:36-38.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Grace, an aged widow, the daughter of Phanuel. She was a "prophetess," like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (
2 Chronicles 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).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) An East Indian money of account, the sixteenth of a rupee, or about 2/ cents.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ANNAan'-a (Anna (Westcott-Hort, Hanna; see Intro, 408); Hebrew equivalent channah, signifying "grace"1 Samuel 1:2):
(1) The wife of Tobit (Tobit 1:9).
(2) A "prophetess," daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, and thus a Galilean, living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:36-38). "Of a great age," she must have been considerably over 100 years, having been a widow 84 years after a short married life of seven (see the Revised Version (British and American)). Exceptionally devout and gifted in spirit, she worshipped so constantly "with fastings and supplications night and day," that she is said to have "departed not from the temple." Some have mistakenly supposed that this signified permanent residence in the temple. The fact that her lineage is recorded indicates the distraction of her family. Tradition says that the tribe of Asher was noted for the beauty and talent of its women, who for these gifts, were qualified for royal and high-priestly marriage. While the tribe of Asher was not among the tribes that returned from the Babylonian exile to Palestine, many of its chief families must have done so as in the case of the prophetess. The period of war and national oppression, through which Anna's early life was passed, created in her, as in the aged Simeon, an intense longing for the "redemption" promised through the Messiah. SeeSIMEON. This hope of national deliverance sustained her through more than four decades of patient waiting. In the birth of Jesus her faith was abundantly rewarded, and she became a grateful and ceaseless witness "to all them that were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem," that the day of their spiritual deliverance had come.
LITERATURE.
See Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus, I, 200-201, Gelkie, Life and Words of Christ, I, 133-34.
Dwight M. Pratt
Greek
451. Hanna --Anna, a prophetess...Anna, a prophetess. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Hanna Phonetic
Spelling: (an'-nah) Short Definition:
Anna Definition:
Anna, a prophetess
...5323. Phanouel -- Phanuel, an Israelite
... Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Phanouel Phonetic Spelling: (fan-oo-ale') Short
Definition: Phanuel Definition: Phanuel, father ofAnna the prophetess....
Strong's Hebrew
577. annah -- ah, now! I (we) beseech you!annah or
anna. 576, 577. annah or
anna. 578 . ah, now! I (we) beseech
you! Transliteration: annah or
anna Phonetic Spelling: (awn
...Library
By the Example ofAnna St. ...
... Concerning Widows. Chapter IV. By the example ofAnna St.? By the example
ofAnna St. Ambrose shows what ought to be the life...
Oration Concerning Simeon andAnna
... Fragments Oration Concerning Simeon andAnna. On the Day that They Met in the
Temple. [2986].... ForAnna is, by interpretation, grace. XIII....
ThenAnna, Filled with the Holy Spirit, Said Before them All...
... Chapter 5. ThenAnna, filled with the Holy Spirit, said before them all?
ThenAnna, filled with the Holy Spirit, said before them...
Thereafter He Appeared toAnna his Wife, Saying: Fear Not...
... Chapter 4. Thereafter he appeared toAnna his wife, saying: Fear not?
Thereafter he appeared toAnna his wife, saying: Fear not...
Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed,Anna More Blessed...
... Section 10. Nor, because I called Ruth blessed,Anna more blessed? 10.
Nor, because I called Ruth blessed,Anna more blessed, in...
After These Things, Her Nine Months Being Fulfilled,Anna Brought...
... Chapter 4. After these things, her nine months being fulfilled,Anna brought
forth a daughter? After these things, her nine months...
For that Also is no Foolish Question which is Wont to be Proposed....
... Further, the desert ofAnna herself is herein chiefly commended, in that, after
she had so soon buried her husband, through her protracted life she long...
Preface
... After he had met the German nun and mystic,Anna Emmerich, on September 24,
1818, he was so amazed, he decided to be her stenographer....
Letter cxxvii. To Principia.
... In the gospel according to Luke we read the following passage: "there was oneAnna,
a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of...
Related Works by or About Anne Catherine Emmerich
... 1. Schm??ger, K. (1867). Das Leben der gottseligenAnna Katharina Emmerich . Freiberg:
Herder.... Miscellaneous. 1. Emmerich,Anna Katharina. (1869)....
Thesaurus
Anna (1 Occurrence)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ANNA. an'-a (
Anna (Westcott
... 133-34. Dwight M.
Pratt. Multi-Version Concordance
Anna (1 Occurrence). Luke 2
...Erech (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Its Patron-Deities and Their Temples: Two great deities, Ishtar and Nanaa, were
worshipped in this city, the temple of the former being E-anna, "the house...
Phanuel (1 Occurrence)
... Face of God, father of the prophetessAnna (qv), Luke 2:36. Int.... PHANUEL.
fan-u'-el, fan'-u-el (penu'el, "vision of God"; Phanouel): Parent ofAnna (Luke...
Asher (43 Occurrences)
...Anna the prophetess was of this tribe (Luke 2:36). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ASHER (1).... To this tribe belonged the prophetessAnna (Luke 2:36)....
Prophetess (8 Occurrences)
... Among others mentioned as having the prophetic gift we find Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1),
Anna (Luke 2:36) and the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:8, 9). See PROPHET...
Cyrus (20 Occurrences)
... He states that the gods (of the various cities of Babylonia) forsook their dwellings
in anger that he (Nabonidus) had made them enter within Su-anna (Babylon)....
Babel (3 Occurrences)
... It was also called Su-anna (which is of uncertain meaning) and Uru-azagga, "the
holy city." Herodotus, the Greek historian, has given us a picture of Babylon...
Tobit
... They are warmly welcomed by the aged and anxious parents Tobit andAnna, and Tobias'
dog which he took with him (Tobit 5:16) was so pleased upon getting back...
Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... They are warmly welcomed by the aged and anxious parents Tobit andAnna, and Tobias'
dog which he took with him (Tobit 5:16) was so pleased upon getting back...
Woman (4043 Occurrences)
... as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah
(Judges 4:4, 5), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14),Anna (Luke 2:36...
Resources
Who was Anna the prophetess in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Heinrich Bullinger? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a prophetess? Does the Bible mention any prophetesses? | GotQuestions.orgAnna: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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