Boy New Testament Rare
Phanuel
face or vision of God
Φανουήλ Phanouēl
Phanuel (Greek: Φανουήλ, Phanouēl) means “face or vision of God”, by traditional interpretation. It appears once, at Luke 2:36. In 2025 it was given to 6 children in the United States. Use is rising. Appears with Anna in Luke 2.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
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Phanuel
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 1 across 1 book
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
- Hapax
- Yes occurs exactly once
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 6 | Rising |
| All-time total | 37 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 8 in 2020 | Its highest year on record |
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Luke 2:36 |
| Cross-references | 22 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Anna co-occurrence Appears with Anna in Luke 2.
- Quirinius co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Quirinius.
- Simeon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Simeon.
- Asher co-occurrence Appears with Asher in Luke 2.
- Augustus co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Augustus.
- Joseph co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Joseph.
- Mary co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Mary.
- Ishmael root Shares the element -el, “God”.
Origin & meaning
Φανουήλ, ὁ indecl. (Heb. פְּנוּאֵל),
Phanuel: Luk.2:36.†
(AS)
Phanuel, the father of Anna, a prophetess who witnessed the infant Jesus at the temple.
The biblical story
Phanuel is mentioned in the Bible as the father of Anna, a prophetess who witnessed the infant Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem (Luk.2.36). Anna was from the tribe of Asher and was advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years before becoming a widow. She devoted herself to worship, fasting, and prayer in the temple. When Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple for the purification rites, Anna recognized him as the Messiah and spoke about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem (Luk.2.37-38). Phanuel's name means "face of God," which may suggest that he was a devout man. However, no other details are provided about his life or role in Anna's upbringing.
Key verses
Phanuel appears in 1 verse. Here are some of the most notable:
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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;
Luke 2:36
Show all 1 reference
Luke (1)
- Luke 2:36