Luke 2:37

37 and herself [as] a widow up to eighty-four years) who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day.

Luke 2:37 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 2:37

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years
Which is not the date of her whole age, as some have thought, but of her widowhood state, as distinct from her marriage state, and the time of her virginity. And this sense all the versions favour.

Which departed not from the temple
that is, she was constant in her devotion there, at the time of divine service, whether by night or day; not that she was in it, for she had been out of it now; otherwise it could not with propriety be said of her, that

she coming in that instant,
as in the next verse; but that she always was there when there was any worship performed, in which women might be concerned, and which is pointed out in the next clause:

but served God with fastings and prayers, night and day:
she attended to the usual fasts of twice a week, and to such as were enjoined the whole congregation, and to the several set times of prayer, and to every act of devotion, private or public, by night or day. In ( Exodus 38:8 ) we read of women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: both the Targums of Onkelos and Ben Uzziel render it, "who came to pray"; and the Septuagint version, "that fasted": Anna did both.

Luke 2:37 In-Context

35 and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!"

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced {in years}, having lived with [her] husband seven years {after her marriage},

37 and herself [as] a widow up to eighty-four years) who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day.

38 And at [that] same hour she approached [and] began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "eighty-four years as a widow"