A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Anna, the Prophetess
ANNA, THE PROPHETESS,
Was a Jewess, the daughter, of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She had been early married, and had lived seven years with her husband. After his death, she devoted herself to the service of Grod, and while thus employed, finding the virgin Mary with her son in the temple, she joined with the venerable Simeon in thanking God for him, and bearing testimony to him as the promised Messiah. It is worth remarking, that these two early testifiers of our Saviour's mission being both far advanced in life, could not be liable to the most distant suspicion of collusion with Joseph and Mary, in palming a false Messiah on their countrymen, as they had not the smallest probable chance of living to see him grow up to maturity, and fulfil their prophecies, and therefore could have no interest in declaring a falsehood. Thus we find the advent of our Lord was made known, spiritually, to woman as well as to man. The good old Simeon had no clearer revelation than the aged devout Anna. Both were inspired servants of the Most High; but here the characteristic piety of the woman is shown to excel. Simeon dwelt "in Jerusalem," probably engaged in secular pursuits; Anna "departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day." See St. Luke, chap. ii.