Who Was Anna the Prophetess in the Bible?

Asher was one of Jacob’s sons, becoming one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The tribe of Asher became part of the northern kingdom of Israel after Solomon’s rule, and after being defeated by the Assyrians in 723 BC, they were taken into exile. Many members of the tribe never returned but assimilated into the lands where they were taken. The fact Anna traced her lineage through this tribe is an indication that some of these Israelites did indeed return to the land, and now one of their descendants stood praying and fasting on the Temple Mount, seeing the Messiah promised so long ago. It is a reminder that God is faithful to ensuring a remnant of his people remained, and that they were strong in his power.

“In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true”. - John 8:17

Finally, Anna’s importance extends to serving as one of two witnesses to proclaim Jesus as the promised Messiah. Along with Simeon, a righteous and devout man who “had the Holy Spirit on him” (Luke 2:25), Anna witnessed the truth of God’s promise being fulfilled. The beauty lies in the fact that God himself revealed this to them, and they testified this child was indeed the Son of God.

Anna is the only woman in the New Testament to be referred to as a prophetess, and the only woman to have her tribe named. This woman of faith, who served the Lord and his people, recognized Jesus as the savior of the world the first time he entered the temple – the temple he would one day replace as he became the redemption for our sins, and our means to know God.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Jacek_sopotnicki

Jason Soroski is a homeschool dad and member of the worship team at matthias lot church in St. Charles, MO. He spends his free time hanging out with his family, exploring new places, and writing about the experiences. Connect on Facebook or at JasonSoroski.net.