Luke 2:37

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 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;

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.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.
KJV
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.
WEB
and she had been a widow for about eighty-four years), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day.
ASV
and she had been a widow even unto fourscore and four years), who departed not from the temple, worshipping with fastings and supplications night and day.
DARBY
and herself a widow up to eighty-four years; who did not depart from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers;
BLB
and she [was] a widow until eighty-four years, who did not depart the temple, serving with fastings and petitions night and day.
ÅB
og nå for seg selv som enke inntil en alder av fire og åtti år; hun vek aldri fra templet, men tjente Gud med faste og bønn natt og dag.
OTB
og hadde siden levd som enke til hun var åttifire år. Hun forlot aldri tempelet, men tjente Gud med faste og bønn natt og dag.
B1930
og nu for sig selv som enke inntil en alder av fire og åtti år; hun vek aldri fra templet, men tjente Gud med faste og bønn natt og dag.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Timothy 5:5

    Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

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  • Psalms 23:6

    Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

    Read in context
  • Acts 14:23

    And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

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  • Psalms 27:4

    One 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.

    Read in context
  • Acts 13:3

    And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

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  • Acts 26:7

    Unto 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.

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  • Psalms 135:1–2

    Praise ye the LORD. Praise ye the name of the LORD; praise him, O ye servants of the LORD.

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  • Exodus 38:8

    And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

    Read in context