Anna the Prophetess

Elderly prophetess from the tribe of Asher who devoted her life to worship at the Temple in Jerusalem after being widowed young. Daughter of Phanuel, she was married seven years before her husband died, then spent 84 years in continuous devotion—fasting and praying night and day (Luke 2:37). At the presentation of Jesus at the temple, following Simeon’s prophecy, Anna recognized the infant as the promised Redeemer and proclaimed him to all awaiting Jerusalem’s redemption (Luke 2:38). Her tribal affiliation with Asher—one of the northern tribes scattered after the Assyrian exile—demonstrates faithful remnants from all Israel witnessing the Messiah.