Topical Encyclopedia Anna is a significant yet often overlooked figure in the New Testament, known for her devout faith and prophetic role. Her account is briefly recounted in the Gospel of Luke, where she is presented as a model of piety and devotion to God.Biblical Account Anna's account is found in Luke 2:36-38. She is introduced as a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. The text highlights her advanced age and her long widowhood, stating, "She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four" (Luke 2:36-37). This detail underscores her lifelong dedication to God, as she spent her days in the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer. Role and Significance Anna's role as a prophetess is significant, as it places her among the few women in the Bible recognized for this spiritual gift. Her presence in the temple at the time of Jesus' presentation is divinely orchestrated. Upon seeing the infant Jesus, Anna "gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). Her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah highlights her spiritual insight and the fulfillment of God's promises. Cultural and Historical Context Anna's mention as a member of the tribe of Asher is noteworthy. Asher was one of the ten northern tribes of Israel, often considered lost after the Assyrian exile. Her identification with this tribe may symbolize the restoration and hope for all of Israel through the coming of the Messiah. Her life of prayer and fasting reflects the Jewish tradition of piety and devotion, particularly among those who awaited the Messiah. Anna's constant presence in the temple signifies her deep commitment to God and her anticipation of His salvation. Theological Implications Anna's encounter with Jesus emphasizes the theme of divine revelation and the recognition of Jesus as the Savior. Her prophetic declaration serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Anna's account also highlights the important role of women in the early Christian narrative, as she is one of the first to proclaim the good news of Jesus' arrival. Legacy Anna's legacy is one of faithfulness and devotion. Her life serves as an example of steadfastness in prayer and worship, and her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah underscores the importance of spiritual discernment. Her account encourages believers to remain faithful and attentive to God's work in the world, trusting in His promises and timing. Nave's Topical Index Luke 2:37And 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. Nave's Topical Index Library Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed... Thereafter He Appeared to Anna his Wife, Saying: Fear Not... These Discussions, Therefore, Concerning the Different Deserts of ... The Blessed virgin Mary May have Lived Without Sin. None of the ... The Annunciation The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... The Purification of Mary The Departure of Mary and the Holy Women of Calvary. Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna The Holy Women at the Sepulchre. Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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