Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, New Living Translation Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. English Standard Version And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, Berean Standard Bible There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, Berean Literal Bible And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She, being advanced greatly in years, had lived with a husband seven years from her marriage, King James Bible 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; New King James Version Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; New American Standard Bible And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, NASB 1995 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, NASB 1977 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, Legacy Standard Bible And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, Amplified Bible There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, and had lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, Christian Standard Bible There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, Holman Christian Standard Bible There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, American Standard Version And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, Contemporary English Version The prophet Anna was also there in the temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. In her youth she had been married for seven years, but her husband died. English Revised Version And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, GOD'S WORD® Translation Anna, a prophet, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was now very old. Her husband had died seven years after they were married, International Standard Version Now Anna, a prophetess, was also there. She was a descendant of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, NET Bible There was also a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having been married to her husband for seven years until his death. New Heart English Bible There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, Webster's Bible Translation And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; Weymouth New Testament There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThere was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, World English Bible There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, Berean Literal Bible And there was a prophetess, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She, being advanced greatly in years, had lived with a husband seven years from her marriage, Young's Literal Translation And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, she was much advanced in days, having lived with an husband seven years from her virginity, Smith's Literal Translation And Anna was a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. Catholic Public Domain Version And there was a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was very advanced in years, and she had lived with her husband for seven years from her virginity. New American Bible There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, New Revised Standard Version There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Hannah the prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, was of a great age; and she had lived seven years with her husband from the days of her virginity. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And Hannah the Prophetess, daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, she was also in her old age, and had lived with her husband seven years after her virginity. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentAnd there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was of great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity: Godbey New Testament And Anna was a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher, herself being advanced in many days, having lived with her husband seven years from her virginity; Haweis New Testament And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asser: she was far advanced in old age, having lived but seven years with a husband, from her virgin state: Mace New Testament There was likewise one Anna a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was of a great age, and had liv'd in a married state but seven years ever since she was a virgin: Weymouth New Testament There was also Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, belonging to the tribe of Asher. She was of a very great age, having had after her maidenhood seven years of married life, Worrell New Testament And there was Anna, a prophetess, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, (she was far advanced in days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; Worsley New Testament And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; who was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her first marrying, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Prophecy of Anna35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” 36There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, 37and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.… Cross References 1 Samuel 1:1-28 Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. / He had two wives, one named Hannah and the other Peninnah. And Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none. / Year after year Elkanah would go up from his city to worship and sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts at Shiloh, where Eli’s two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests to the LORD. ... 1 Samuel 2:18-21 Now Samuel was ministering before the LORD—a boy wearing a linen ephod. / Each year his mother would make him a little robe and bring it to him when she went with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. / And Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife, saying, “May the LORD give you children by this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD.” Then they would go home. ... 1 Samuel 2:26 And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the LORD and with man. 2 Chronicles 34:22-28 So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District. / And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you / that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah, ... Nehemiah 7:67 in addition to their 7,337 menservants and maidservants, as well as their 245 male and female singers. Psalm 68:11 The Lord gives the command; a great company of women proclaim it: Isaiah 8:3 And I had relations with the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. The LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz. Joel 2:28-29 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. / Even on My menservants and maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Micah 6:4 For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery. I sent Moses before you, as well as Aaron and Miriam. Acts 21:9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. Acts 2:17-18 ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. / Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. Acts 13:1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. 1 Corinthians 11:5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved. 1 Corinthians 14:3-5 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort. / The one who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. / I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets so that the church may be edified. 1 Corinthians 14:29-33 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. / And if a revelation comes to someone who is seated, the first speaker should stop. / For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ... Treasury of Scripture 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; a prophetess. Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. 2 Kings 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. Aser. Genesis 30:13 And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher. Asher. Revelation 7:6 Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. she. Job 5:26 Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season. Psalm 92:14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; Jump to Previous Advanced Age Anna Aser Asher Daughter Family Great Hearts Husband Life Marriage Married Phanuel Pierce Prophet Prophetess Reasonings Revealed Seven Soul Sword Tribe VirginityJump to Next Advanced Age Anna Aser Asher Daughter Family Great Hearts Husband Life Marriage Married Phanuel Pierce Prophet Prophetess Reasonings Revealed Seven Soul Sword Tribe VirginityLuke 2 1. Augustus taxes all the Roman empire.6. The nativity of Jesus. 8. An angel relates it to the shepherds, and many sing praises to God for it. 15. The shepherds glorify God. 21. Jesus is circumcised. 22. Mary purified. 25. Simeon and Anna prophesy of Jesus, 39. who increases in wisdom, 41. questions in the temple with the teachers, 51. and is obedient to his parents. There was also a prophetess named Anna Anna is one of the few women in the New Testament explicitly identified as a prophetess, indicating her role in receiving and proclaiming divine revelations. This highlights the presence and importance of women in spiritual roles within the early Jewish and Christian communities. Her prophetic role connects her to other biblical prophetesses like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah, emphasizing that God speaks through both men and women. the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher who was well along in years She had been married for seven years Persons / Places / Events 1. AnnaA prophetess mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. Her role as a prophetess indicates she was a woman of spiritual insight and devotion. Her presence in the temple signifies her dedication to God. 2. Phanuel Anna's father, whose name means "face of God" in Hebrew. This connection may imply a heritage of faith and devotion. 3. Tribe of Asher One of the twelve tribes of Israel. The mention of Anna's tribal affiliation highlights her Jewish heritage and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. 4. Temple The setting where Anna encounters Jesus. The temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship and a place of prophecy and revelation. 5. Prophetess Anna's role as a prophetess underscores the presence of women in spiritual leadership and their ability to receive and proclaim God's messages. Teaching Points Faithful DevotionAnna's life exemplifies unwavering devotion to God. Her constant presence in the temple encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith and worship. Role of Women in Ministry Anna's role as a prophetess highlights the significant contributions of women in spiritual leadership and ministry. It encourages the church to recognize and support the gifts of women. Heritage of Faith Anna's lineage from the tribe of Asher reminds us of the importance of spiritual heritage and the impact of family faithfulness on future generations. Waiting on God's Timing Anna's long years of waiting teach us patience and trust in God's perfect timing. Her account encourages believers to remain hopeful and expectant for God's promises. Witnessing and Proclaiming Anna's response to seeing Jesus was to give thanks and speak about Him. Believers are called to witness and proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to others. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Luke 2:36?2. How does Anna's devotion inspire your daily worship and prayer life? 3. What role does fasting play in your spiritual growth, as seen in Luke 2:36? 4. How can Anna's example encourage you to serve God in your community? 5. How does Anna's faithfulness connect to other biblical examples of devoted service? 6. What can you learn from Anna about perseverance in faith and witness? 7. Who was Anna, and why is her role significant in Luke 2:36? 8. How does Anna's prophecy in Luke 2:36 impact the understanding of Jesus' early life? 9. What does Anna's devotion in Luke 2:36 teach about faith and perseverance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Luke 2? 11. What defines feminist theology? 12. Who was Anna the Prophetess in the Bible? 13. What is the significance of the Tribe of Asher? 14. In 1 Chronicles 4:9–10, why do we only hear about Jabez’s miraculous blessing here, with no corroborating historical or archaeological evidence? What Does Luke 2:36 Mean There was also a prophetess named Anna• God makes it plain that He still speaks through people who love and obey Him, and He is free to choose women as well as men for that role—just as He had done with Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14). • Anna’s prophetic office is confirmed by her immediate recognition of Jesus as the Messiah (Luke 2:38), paralleling Simeon’s Spirit-led declaration earlier in the chapter (Luke 2:25-32). • Joel 2:28, later quoted in Acts 2:17, promises that “your sons and daughters will prophesy,” a promise already being fulfilled here in Luke 2. • The presence of Anna in the narrative underscores that every word of God is true and reliable; what the Spirit reveals is always consistent with the written Word (2 Peter 1:19-21). the daughter of Phanuel • Scripture often mentions a person’s father to highlight heritage and godly influence—think of Lois and Eunice in Timothy’s life (2 Timothy 1:5). • A faithful upbringing positions Anna to recognize the Messiah instantly; Proverbs 22:6 assures us that training a child “in the way he should go” bears fruit decades later. • Like Abraham passing blessing to Isaac (Genesis 17:19), Phanuel’s name here quietly signals a generational chain of faith culminating in Anna’s prophetic ministry. of the tribe of Asher • Asher was one of the ten northern tribes carried into exile (2 Kings 17:6). Yet Anna’s lineage proves God keeps track of His people even when history seems to scatter them (Amos 9:9). • Jacob’s blessing over Asher promised, “From Asher shall come rich food, and he will provide delicacies fit for a king” (Genesis 49:20). In the temple, Anna presents something far richer—the news of the King Himself. • Deuteronomy 33:24 speaks of Asher being “most blessed of sons,” and Revelation 7:6 lists Asher among the sealed tribes in the end times. Anna becomes a living bridge, testifying that every tribal promise remains intact. who was well along in years • God values seasoned saints; Psalm 92:14 declares they “still bear fruit in old age.” • Age never disqualifies anyone from frontline ministry. Moses was eighty when he faced Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7), and Elizabeth, like Anna, was advanced in years when she bore John the Baptist (Luke 1:7, 36). • Proverbs 16:31 calls gray hair “a crown of glory.” Anna’s longevity amplifies, rather than diminishes, her influence: decades of faithfulness sharpen spiritual discernment. She had been married for seven years • Seven often marks completion in Scripture (Genesis 2:2-3), so Anna’s short seven-year marriage is the completed chapter that precedes a lifelong calling. • After her husband’s death she devoted herself wholly to the Lord, echoing 1 Timothy 5:5: “The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.” • God’s heart for widows is constant (Psalm 68:5; James 1:27). Anna, rather than withdrawing, steps forward as a worshiper and witness, embodying Paul’s counsel to single believers in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 to serve the Lord undistracted. summary Luke 2:36 introduces Anna as a Spirit-filled prophetess whose godly heritage, tribal identity, advanced age, and brief marriage converge to display God’s unbroken faithfulness. Her life testifies that no circumstance—gender, family background, scattered tribe, age, or widowhood—can limit God’s ability to use a willing heart. She stands in the temple at just the right moment, confirming that every detail of Scripture is precisely fulfilled and inviting us to the same joyful, lifelong devotion to Christ. (36) One Anna, a prophetess.--The fact is in many ways remarkable. We find a woman recognised as a prophetess at a time when no man is recognised as a prophet. She bears the name of the mother of the founder of the School of the Prophets, identical with that which the legends of Apocryphal Gospels assign to the mother of the Virgin. She is named, as if it were a well-known fact, as having been the wife of Phanuel, and she is not of the tribe of Judah, but of Aser. That tribe, then, though belonging to the Ten that had been carried into exile by Shalmaneser (2Kings 17:6), had not been altogether lost. Some, at least, of its members survived and cherished the genealogies of their descent, as one family of the neighbouring tribe of Naphthali are said to have done at Nineveh (Tobit 1:2). In that family also we find the name of Anna (Tobit 1:9).Seven years from her virginity.--The words are emphasised (1) as expressing chastity prior to marriage, and (2) as excluding the thought of a second marriage. Verses 36-38. - Greeting of Anna the prophetess. Verse 36. - There was one Anna, a prophetess. The name of this holy woman is the same as that of the mother of Samuel. It is not necessary to assume that this Anna had the gift of foretelling future events. She was, at all events, a preacher. These saintly, gifted women, though never numerous, were not unknown in the story of the chosen people. We read of the doings - in some cases the very words are preserved - of Miriam, Hannah, Deborah, Huldah, and others. Of the tribe of Aser. It is true that at this period the ten tribes had been long lost, the "Jews" being made up of the two tribes of Judah and Benjamin; but yet certain families preserved their genealogies, tracing their descent to one or other of the lost divisions of the people. Thus Anna belonged to Asher.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek There wasἦν (ēn) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. also Καὶ (Kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. a prophetess προφῆτις (prophētis) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4398: A prophetess. Feminine of prophetes; a female foreteller or an inspired woman. [named] Anna, Ἅννα (Hanna) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 451: Anna, a prophetess, who visited the infant Jesus. Of Hebrew origin; Anna, an Israelitess. [the] daughter θυγάτηρ (thygatēr) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2364: Apparently a primary word; a female child, or descendant. of Phanuel, Φανουήλ (Phanouēl) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 5323: Phanuel, father of Anna the prophetess. Of Hebrew origin; Phanuel, an Israelite. of ἐκ (ek) Preposition Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. [the] tribe φυλῆς (phylēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular Strong's 5443: A tribe or race of people. From phuo; an offshoot, i.e. Race or clan. of Asher, Ἀσήρ (Asēr) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 768: Asher, one of the sons of Jacob, and founder of one of the Twelve Tribes. Of Hebrew origin; Aser, an Israelite tribe. [who] αὕτη (hautē) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it. was well along προβεβηκυῖα (probebēkuia) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 4260: To go forward, advance. From pro and the base of basis; to walk forward, i.e. Advance. in ἐν (en) Preposition Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. years. ἡμέραις (hēmerais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural Strong's 2250: A day, the period from sunrise to sunset. She had been married ζήσασα (zēsasa) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular Strong's 2198: To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. for seven ἑπτὰ (hepta) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2033: Seven. A primary number; seven. years, ἔτη (etē) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural Strong's 2094: A year. Apparently a primary word; a year. Links Luke 2:36 NIVLuke 2:36 NLT Luke 2:36 ESV Luke 2:36 NASB Luke 2:36 KJV Luke 2:36 BibleApps.com Luke 2:36 Biblia Paralela Luke 2:36 Chinese Bible Luke 2:36 French Bible Luke 2:36 Catholic Bible NT Gospels: Luke 2:36 There was one Anna a prophetess (Luke Lu Lk) |
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