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Anna

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Prophetess in the Gospel of Luke who, guided by the Holy Spirit, recognized the infant Jesus as the Messiah in the Temple.

Detailed Definition
Anna, a widow of great age, worshipped constantly in the Temple and praised God upon seeing Jesus, proclaiming His redemption to all in Jerusalem. Her devotion embodies faithful anticipation. In poetry, Anna represents enduring hope, the voice of aged wisdom affirming divine promise, and the quiet yet powerful witness of women in sacred history.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Anna the prophetess (Luke 2) embodies watchful expectation; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Anna’s devotion models lifelong prayer; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Virgin Mary to the Child Jesus," Anna’s recognition of Christ affirms incarnation; In John Keble’s "The Christian Year," Anna symbolizes the faithful remnant; In Christina Rossetti’s "Advent," Anna’s vigilance inspires patient hope; In T.S. Eliot’s "Ash-Wednesday," Anna’s age and faith contrast with modern restlessness.
Additional Notes
Anna: Prophetess in Luke 2 who recognized infant Jesus in the temple; aged, widowed, and devoted to worship. Anna embodies patient expectancy, female prophetic witness, and the continuity between old and new covenants. In poetry, she is ideal for meditations on aging, devotion, or the quiet recognition of the sacred. Pair with Simeon for complementary perspectives on fulfillment.
Also Known As
Anna the Prophetess Anna daughter of Phanuel Bellicent
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