📖 Biblical Definition
Anna was a prophetess of the tribe of Asher, daughter of Phanuel — "a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day" (Luke 2:37). She had been married seven years before her husband died, and now lived in the temple precincts, an aged Spirit-filled intercessor. At Christ’s presentation by Joseph and Mary on the fortieth day, she "coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (2:38). Anna is a luminous picture of late-life faithfulness: decades of fasting and prayer kept her ready for the one moment.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ANNA_THE, n.
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A scriptural proper name; in the New Testament, a prophetess who recognized the infant Christ.
📖 Key Scripture
Luke 2:36 — "There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser."
Luke 2:37 — "And 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."
Luke 2:38 — "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
1 Timothy 5:5 — "She that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Anna's eighty-four-year vigil produced one moment of recognition; modern impatience would not have lasted.
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Anna's vigil is one of the longest faithful watches in Scripture. Eighty-four years of widowhood, fasting, and prayer in the temple, looking for the Messiah. Then one day Mary and Joseph walk in with a forty-day-old baby, and Anna sees what every other priest and pilgrim missed.
Modern impatience would not have lasted three months in Anna's station. Eighty-four years of nothing visible — just prayer and fasting — produced the perception to recognize the Messiah at first sight. Long faithfulness sharpens spiritual sight. If your station is small and unrecognized, stay there. The Christ-child may walk through the door this morning.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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G451 — Anna — Anna (Greek)
H2584 — Channah — Hannah; grace
Usage
"Anna's eighty-four-year vigil produced one moment of recognition."
"Long faithfulness sharpens spiritual sight; modern impatience would not have lasted."
"If your station is small and unrecognized, stay there; the Christ-child may walk through the door."