SEV Biblia, Chapter 2:36
Estaba tambin allí Ana, profetisa, hija de Fanuel, de la tribu de Aser; la cual había venido en grande edad, y había vivido con su marido siete aos desde su virginidad;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Luke 2:36
Verse 36. Anna, a prophetess] It does not appear that this person was a prophetess in the strict sense of the word, i.e. one who could foretell future events; but rather a holy woman; who, from her extensive knowledge and deep experience in Divine things, was capable of instructing others; according to the use of the word profhteuw, 1 Cor. xiv. 3: He that prophesieth, speaketh unto men to edification, and to exhortation, and to comfort. So we find this holy widow proclaiming Jesus to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem, ver. 38. The tribe of Asher] This was one of the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel, several families of which had returned from their idolatry unto God, in the time that Hezekiah proclaimed the passover in Jerusalem, which is mentioned 2 Chron. xxx. 1-11. Though her family might have been a distinguished one in Jerusalem, yet we find that it was her very exemplary piety that entitled her to be thus honourably mentioned in the sacred history. It is an honourable thing indeed to have one's name written in the sacred records; but to be written in the book of life is of infinitely greater moment.
Seven years] She was a pure virgin when married, was favoured with her husband but seven years, and was now in all, taking in the time of her virginity, marriage, and widowhood, eighty-four years of age. At such an age, it might be supposed she was reasonably exempted from performing the severer duties of religion; but her spirit of piety continued still to burn with a steady and undiminished fame.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 36. And there was one Anna , etc.] The name is the same with Hannah: so Hannah, the mother of Samuel, is by the Septuagint called Anna, in ( 1 Samuel 1:2,5,9,15,19,22,25) and it signifies grace; or gracious: and as was her name, so was she, a gracious woman; One that had the grace of God herself, and was a publisher of the glad tidings of grace and redemption by Christ, to others; and she was a prophetess : for though prophecy had ceased among the Jews for some hundreds of years, it now revived upon the coming of the Messiah; and though instances of women prophets were rare, yet some there were, both before, and after the coming of Christ; as Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, and Huldah, the wife of Shallum; and this Anna, at the time of Christ's birth, and afterwards four daughters of Philip the Evangelist, who were virgins. This woman was the daughter of Phanuel ; it is the same name with Penuel; and which, by the Septuagint, in ( 1 Chronicles 4:4 8:25) is called Phanuel, as here.
This man might be a person of some note, or he may be mentioned for the sake of his name, which signifies the face of God, and is the name Jacob gave to a certain place where he had seen God face to face, ( Genesis 32:30,31). And now Phanuel's daughter both saw and gave the light of the knowledge of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, and now beheld his face in the flesh, who is God over all, blessed for ever. Of the tribe of Aser ; the same with Asher; for so Asher is called, as here, by the Septuagint, in ( Genesis 30:13 49:20) and elsewhere: and though this tribe was carried captive with the rest of the ten tribes; yet there were some of the ten tribes that returned along with Judah and Benjamin, and were dispersed among them. This tribe had its seat in Galilee; so that though the Jews denied that any prophet came from thence, yet it seems a prophetess did. She was of a great age : the phrase is the same with that in ( Luke 1:7) there rendered, stricken in years; (See Gill on Luke 1:7). Her age will appear to be great, if it be observed, that she was seven years a married woman, and fourscore and four years a widow, which make ninety one; and if she was married at twelve years and a half, at which time the Jews reckoned females marriageable, she must be an hundred and three years old; and perhaps her age might be eight or ten years more: and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity : this is mentioned to observe her chastity, that she was in her virginity, or a chaste virgin, when she became a wife; such an one as the high priest was obliged to have, ( Leviticus 21:13) and that the tokens of her virginity were brought, which the Jewish laws obliged to, ( Deuteronomy 22:15,17,20) and that she lived honestly, and honourably, with her husband, during the term of her marriage state.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 36-40 - There was much evil then in the church, yet God left not himsel without witness. Anna always dwelt in, or at least attended at, the temple. She was always in a praying spirit; gave herself to prayer, an in all things she served God. Those to whom Christ is made known, have great reason to thank the Lord. She taught others concerning him. Le the example of the venerable saints, Simeon and Anna, give courage to those whose hoary heads are, like theirs, a crown of glory, being foun in the way of righteousness. The lips soon to be silent in the grave should be showing forth the praises of the Redeemer. In all things i became Christ to be made like unto his brethren, therefore he passe through infancy and childhood as other children, yet without sin, an with manifest proofs of the Divine nature in him. By the Spirit of God all his faculties performed their offices in a manner not seen in an one else. Other children have foolishness bound in their hearts, whic appears in what they say or do, but he was filled with wisdom, by the influence of the Holy Ghost; every thing he said and did, was wisel said and wisely done, above his years. Other children show the corruption of their nature; nothing but the grace of God was upon him.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ην 2258 5713 V-IXI-3S αννα 451 N-NSF προφητις 4398 N-NSF θυγατηρ 2364 N-NSF φανουηλ 5323 N-PRI εκ 1537 PREP φυλης 5443 N-GSF ασηρ 768 N-PRI αυτη 846 P-NSF 3778 D-NSF προβεβηκυια 4260 5761 V-RAP-NSF εν 1722 PREP ημεραις 2250 N-DPF πολλαις 4183 A-DPF ζησασα 2198 5660 V-AAP-NSF ετη 2094 N-APN μετα 3326 PREP ανδρος 435 N-GSM επτα 2033 A-NUI απο 575 PREP της 3588 T-GSF παρθενιας 3932 N-GSF αυτης 846 P-GSF
Vincent's NT Word Studies
36. A prophetess (profhtiv). Only here and Apoc. ii. 20. Asher. That tribe was celebrated in tradition for the beauty of its women, and their fitness to be wedded to high priests or kings.Of great age (probebhkuia en hmeraiv pollaiv). Lit., advanced in many days.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
2:36 {One Anna a prophetess} (hanna profetis). The word profetis occurs in the N.T. only here and #Re 2:20. In old Greek writers it means a woman who interprets oracles. The long parenthesis into verse #37 tells of her great age. Montefiore makes it 106 as she was 15 when married, married 7 years, a widow 84.
