Luk 2:36-38 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Luke 2:36-38: 2:36-38 Anna is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Hannah, Samuel’s mother (1 Sam 1–2 ). Jewish tradition identified seven Old Testament women as prophets: Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah, and Esther. Anna was another prophetic witness to Jesus’ identity as the Messiah. • The tribe of Asher , one of the ten northern tribes of Israel, was named after Jacob’s eighth son (Gen 30:12-13 ). Most of those who returned from Babylonian exile were from the tribe of Judah; other Israelites also knew their tribal ancestry in Jesus’ day. For instance, the apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5 ).

a2:36-38►

b1 Sam 1–2►

cGen 30:12-13►

dPhil 3:5►

‏ Luke 2:36-38

Summary for Luke 2:36-38: 2:36-38 ^a Anna is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name Hannah, Samuel’s mother (1 Sam 1–2 ^b). Jewish tradition identified seven Old Testament women as prophets: Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Abigail, Huldah, and Esther. Anna was another prophetic witness to Jesus’ identity as the Messiah.

• The tribe of Asher, one of the ten northern tribes of Israel, was named after Jacob’s eighth son (Gen 30:12-13 ^c). Most of those who returned from Babylonian exile were from the tribe of Judah; other Israelites also knew their tribal ancestry in Jesus’ day. For instance, the apostle Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Phil 3:5 ^d).
2:37 ^e she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four: In the ancient world, great age was associated with wisdom and honor.

• She never left the Temple: This is probably hyperbole; we might say, “She was there all the time,” reflecting her total dedication to God.