Definition: And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 2:36. It’s a fascinating and somewhat surprising passage about a woman who seems to be incredibly special. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Luke 2:36 tells us about a woman who was pregnant – she had been with a man for seven years before giving birth. She then gave birth to a son, and the baby was named Anna. What Does It Mean? “And there was one Anna…” : This establishes that we’re talking about a specific, important woman. “…a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel…” : This tells us she wasn't just any ordinary woman. She was a prophetess , which means she had a special gift for speaking to God and sharing His messages. Her name is “Phanuel,” which is a Hebrew name meaning "son of the shepherd." “of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity” : This is the really surprising part. She was old , older than many men in that time, and she had been married for seven years before giving birth. The word "virginity" is key here – it means she hadn’t yet experienced sexual activity. So, what's the point of this story? This verse highlights a few things: God’s Favor: It suggests that God sees and values people who are unique and special, even if they don’t meet societal expectations for marriage or family life. He chooses her to be a prophetess because of her distinct gifts. A Unique Gift: Anna was a gifted person – she was able to hear God's voice and share His message. This suggests that God has a plan for each person, even those who don’t follow traditional paths. In short, this verse tells us about a woman who was incredibly special because of her age, her past, and her connection to God. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Luke 2? Discuss the significance of Anna as a character? Talk about what this story might mean in terms of faith or spiritual gifts?