Anna

Anna, a prophetess and widow, witnessed the dedication of the infant Jesus in the temple and spoke about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Anna was a prophetess mentioned in the Gospel of Luke. She was the daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. At the time of Jesus' birth, Anna was an elderly widow who had been married for seven years before her husband died, and she had remained a widow for eighty-four years. She was known for her devotion to God, as she never left the temple but worshiped day and night, fasting and praying.

When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple to dedicate Him according to the law, Anna was present. Upon seeing Jesus, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Her prophetic insight allowed her to recognize Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah, and she shared this knowledge with others who were eagerly anticipating God's redemptive work through Him.

Grace, an aged widow, the daughter of Phanuel. She was a “prophetess,” like Miriam, Deborah, and Huldah (2 Chr. 34:22). After seven years of married life her husband died, and during her long widowhood she daily attended the temple services. When she was eighty-four years old, she entered the temple at the moment when the aged Simeon uttered his memorable words of praise and thanks to God that he had fulfilled his ancient promise in sending his Son into the world (Luke 2:36, 37).