Ἄννα
Ánna
G451 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Proper name: Anna. A personal name referring to a specific woman in the New Testament; ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Channah (meaning 'favor, grace'), but in Greek usage simply denotes the individual's given name. In the New Testament, refers especially to Anna, a prophetess described as residing in Jerusalem during the time of Jesus' birth. The Greek form does not carry additional meaning beyond personal designation in recorded Hellenistic and early Christian texts.
Semantic Range
personal name; designation for a specific Israelite woman; transliteration of the Hebrew Channah
Root / Etymology
From the Hebrew feminine name חַνָּה (Channah), meaning 'favor' or 'grace.' Incorporated into Greek as Ἄννα, reflecting typical Hellenization of Hebrew proper nouns.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Greek of the Septuagint and the New Testament, Ἄννα is a transliteration of the Hebrew name חַנָּה, commonly rendered 'Hannah' in English Old Testament translations. By the first century CE, this Hebrew name appears in Greek records both within Jewish and broader Levantine communities. In Luke's Gospel (2:36), Ἄννα occurs as the name of a prophetess of Israelite descent who is presented as a pious figure in Jerusalem. Standard English translations traditionally retain 'Anna' as a proper name, though its roots refer to the same meaning as 'Hannah' — signifying 'favor' or 'grace.' The name's use in the New Testament reflects patterns of Hebrew names being maintained among Judeans/Jews in Greek-speaking contexts. There is no evidence that Anna referred to a class or type, only to the specific individual identified by this name in the text.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
of Hebrew origin (חַנָּה); Anna, an Israelitess:--Anna.
Root Family
Ἄννα (Anna) — name, personal designation
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G451-01 |
Ἅννα | anna | N NOM F SG |
Anna | Anna | Anna | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G451-01 |
Luke 2:36 | Ἅννα | anna | N NOM F SG |
Anna | Anna | Anna |