Luke 2:37
And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτὴ
G846
αὐτὴ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
χήρα
was a widow
G5503
χήρα
was a widow
Strong's:
G5503
Word #:
3 of 20
a widow (as lacking a husband), literally or figuratively
ὡς
of about
G5613
ὡς
of about
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
4 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ἣ
which
G3739
ἣ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
8 of 20
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀφίστατο
departed
G868
ἀφίστατο
departed
Strong's:
G868
Word #:
10 of 20
to remove, i.e., (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
11 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἱεροῦ
the temple
G2411
ἱεροῦ
the temple
Strong's:
G2411
Word #:
13 of 20
a sacred place, i.e., the entire precincts (whereas g3485 denotes the central sanctuary itself) of the temple (at jerusalem or elsewhere)
νηστείαις
God with fastings
G3521
νηστείαις
God with fastings
Strong's:
G3521
Word #:
14 of 20
abstinence (from lack of food, or voluntary and religious); specially, the fast of the day of atonement
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λατρεύουσα
but served
G3000
λατρεύουσα
but served
Strong's:
G3000
Word #:
17 of 20
to minister (to god), i.e., render religious homage
Cross References
1 Timothy 5:5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.Acts 14:23And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.Psalms 23:6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.Psalms 27:4One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.Acts 13:3And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.Acts 26:7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Historical Context
Temple worship included morning and evening sacrifices with accompanying prayers (Exodus 29:38-42). Devout worshippers often attended both, but Anna's presence extended beyond scheduled services to virtually continuous intercession. Her lifestyle paralleled later Christian monastic traditions of perpetual prayer.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Anna's 84 years of temple devotion challenge contemporary views of retirement or decreased spiritual service in old age?
- What does her practice of 'fastings and prayers night and day' teach about prioritizing intimacy with God over physical comfort?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A widow of about fourscore and four years (χήρα ἕως ἐτῶν ὀγδοήκοντα τεσσάρων, chēra heōs etōn ogdoēkonta tessarōn)—Likely 84 years of widowhood (not total age), making Anna over 100. The Greek construction suggests prolonged state: 84 years of faithfulness despite loss.
Which departed not from the temple (οὐκ ἀφίστατο τοῦ ἱεροῦ, ouk aphistato tou hierou)—The imperfect tense indicates continuous, habitual action: she never left. But served God with fastings and prayers night and day (νηστείαις καὶ δεήσεσιν λατρεύουσα νύκτα καὶ ἡμέραν, nēsteiais kai deēsesin latreuousa nykta kai hēmeran)—The verb latreuō means 'worship' or 'serve,' particularly in religious ritual. Her life became perpetual liturgy, fasting and intercession without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), anticipating reward for those who 'hunger and thirst after righteousness' (Matthew 5:6).