Topical Encyclopedia Anna, a prophetess mentioned in the New Testament, is a significant figure who exemplifies the role of women as prophets in the biblical narrative. Her account is found in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 2:36-38. Anna is one of the few women in the Bible explicitly identified as a prophetess, highlighting the important spiritual roles women held in biblical times.Anna was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This detail underscores her Jewish heritage and connection to the people of Israel. The tribe of Asher, though not as prominent as some other tribes, is noted for its blessings and prophecies in the Old Testament, which may add depth to Anna's prophetic role. The Berean Standard Bible describes Anna as "very old," having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. Her long widowhood is marked by her devout service to God. Luke 2:37 states, "She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying." This dedication to worship and prayer in the temple signifies her deep spiritual commitment and her role as a respected figure within the religious community. Anna's prophetic gift is demonstrated when she encounters the infant Jesus during His presentation at the temple. Luke 2:38 records, "Coming forward at that moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem." Her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and her proclamation to those present reveal her prophetic insight and the fulfillment of God's promises through her testimony. Anna's role as a prophetess is significant in several ways. Firstly, she serves as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, representing the faithful remnant of Israel who awaited the coming of the Messiah. Her presence at the temple and her recognition of Jesus highlight the continuity of God's redemptive plan. Secondly, Anna's account emphasizes the inclusion of women in the prophetic tradition. Her life of prayer, fasting, and worship exemplifies the spiritual authority and insight granted to women by God. Her testimony about Jesus underscores the important role women played in the early recognition and proclamation of the Messiah. In summary, Anna the prophetess stands as a testament to the active participation of women in the spiritual life of Israel and the early Christian community. Her account, though brief, is rich with meaning and serves as an inspiration for the faithful dedication to God's service. Nave's Topical Index Luke 2:36-38And 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; Nave's Topical Index Library Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed... Miscellaneous Subjects. These Discussions, Therefore, Concerning the Different Deserts of ... The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ... Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna Appeal to the Christian Women of the South A Case of Conscience Resolved Concerning Our Lord's Genealogy and Concerning the Holy Mother of ... Marriage of the Blessed virgin to Joseph Proofs of the Foregoing, Drawn from the Gospels of Mark and Luke. 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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