Illustration created for this project.

Anna

An aged widow and prophetess who worshipped in the Temple and spoke of the child Jesus to all awaiting redemption.

Role: Prophetess

Lived: 1st century

Belonged to: Prophets, Tribe of Asher

Tribe/lineage: Asher

Born: Jerusalem

What we know — and how we know it

Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 3 Scholarly — supported scholarly belief · 2

Origin & birthplace

BibleFrom Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36

↳ Jerusalem

Family & lineage

BibleDaughter of Phanuel.

Luke 2:36

↳ Phanuel

Tribe & people

BibleOf the tribe of Asher.

Luke 2:36

ScholarlyLuke specifies that Anna, daughter of Phanuel, was "of the tribe of Asher," one of the northern tribes usually thought to have lost its distinct identity after the Assyrian conquest. Scholars note this detail as evidence that memory of northern-tribal descent persisted into the first century, whether as genuine genealogical tradition or as a literary marker of Israel's hoped-for restoration.

Scholarly discussion of Second Temple tribal identity; Asher is a northern tribe, making the explicit lineage notice historically noteworthy.

Name & titles

ScholarlyAnna is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Hannah, "grace" or "favor" (from ḥanan, "to be gracious"), the same name borne by the mother of Samuel. The choice is apt for a figure Luke presents devoted to the temple and awaiting redemption.

Onomastic: Hebrew חַנָּה (Ḥannah) from the root ḥ-n-n; Greek Ἅννα.