Bible Strands
Luke 2:36
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Luke narrates the temple presentation moment, transitioning from Simeon’s oracle to an older woman who will corroborate the infant’s significance.
The words — προφῆτις (prophētis) identifies Anna’s role as a woman who delivers divine speech, and θυγάτηρ (thugatēr) records her lineage as Phanuel’s offspring.
The thread — The Asher tribe reference connects to Genesis 30:13, the prophetess office parallels Exodus 15:20, and her advanced years correspond to the longevity described in Psalms 92:14.
Why it lands — The text establishes Anna’s tribal identity, prophetic office, and prolonged widowhood as factual markers, requiring the reader to accept her testimony as a grounded witness rather than a symbolic figure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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;
Cross-references
- Psalms 92:14 In old age they will still bear fruit; healthy and green they will remain,
- Genesis 30:13 Leah said, “How happy I am! For the women call me happy.” So she named him Asher.
- Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing.
- Judges 4:4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time.
- Acts 2:18 Even on My menservants and maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.
- Acts 21:9 He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.
- 2 Kings 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.
- Job 5:26 You will come to the grave in full vigor, like a sheaf of grain gathered in season.
- 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
- Revelation 7:6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,