Anna the Prophetess

[adstrinity]

Luke 2:

36 And 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. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

Why is it important that she was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher? It’s for a reason it’s in the Bible, why do we need to know this, what does this help us?

 

[thistle]

Luke 2:

36 And 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. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

Why is it important that she was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher? It’s for a reason it’s in the Bible, why do we need to know this, what does this help us?

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 36. Anna, a prophetess. She was another witness that Jesus was the Messias, venerable for age, and more for her piety. — And had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity; i.e. had been seven years a wife: and from the death of her husband, had remained always a widow: now 84 years of age: who departed not from the temple, but was constantly there at the times of prayer, with fastings and prayers, serving God day and night. (Witham)

 

[puzzleannie]

Luke 2:

Why is it important that she was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher? It’s for a reason it’s in the Bible, why do we need to know this, what does this help us?

I honestly don’t know, except to refer to what our 6th grade text tells us about the OT prophets, that almost every prophetic book begins with the prophet giving his lineage, who is his father, what tribe, and establishes the historical context of his prophecy, and states how he received authority from God to prophecy.

 

[AmbroseSJ]

Luke 2:

36 And 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. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel.

Why is it important that she was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher? It’s for a reason it’s in the Bible, why do we need to know this, what does this help us?

The Bible was written for everyone, not just for people of today. It was also written for people that lived in the very times when it was written. Considering that fact, we may assume that it was important to contemporary Christians, many of whom were converted Jews.

It is also important to Christians today, in that we see the wondrous way everyone was being affected by the coming of the Messiah, and how revelation is made to men (and women) on earth.

 

[Fidelis]

Luke 2:

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed to the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for **the redemption of Israel./**B]

Why is it important that she was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher? It’s for a reason it’s in the Bible, why do we need to know this, what does this help us?

The keys to perhaps understanding the significance of Anna are in the highlighted words above.

Asher: One of the northern tribes that went into exile when Israel was overthrown by the Assyrians in 582 BC and was part of the Diaspora (those Jews living in other areas outside Israel). Some members of this tribe were left behind to till the land and do menial work, but by and large they were in exile.

Anna: (a variation on the name “Hannah” who was the mother of the Old Testament prophet Samuel) The name Anna did not seem to be a popular name in the Holy Land in the Second Temple period when these events ocurred. However, scholars tell us it was much more popular among Diaspora Jews

The name “Phanuel” (which is unknown elsewhere in the Bible as a personal name) means “God’s face looks with favor,” a term used often in the Old Testament to express God’s pleasure with his people. One might imagine a Jew living outside Israel to give this name to their son as a sign of hope of one day returning to their land (Simeon also sppoke of “the consolation of Israel”, verse 26). Perhaps Phanuel (along with his daughter Anna) managed to make their way back to Jerusalem from where their people had been in exile.

Prophetess: Anna herself points to a prophecy: the prophecy that runs through the prophetic books (especially Isaiah) that “all Israel” will be restored, i.e., “the redemption of Israel,” when all the tribes would be brought back to Israel. It is clear that when she saw the infant Messiah brought to the Temple, she saw that this restoration was about to begin. However, as we know, God would not only incorporate the exiled Jews, but from even among the Gentiles, God’s whole people would be brought together. As Simeon said right before this: “My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30-32. See also Isaiah 52:10).

Hope that helps.