"And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Phanuel Meaning in the Bible
Phanuel
boy
Phanuel means "Face of God; Vision of God", a boy's name of Hebrew origin. Phanuel appears in the King James Bible, and Luke 2:36 is the passage most often tied to it. Phanuel — 'face of God' — raised a daughter who spent 84 years seeking that very face in the temple. When the face of God finally appeared in a baby's form, Anna recognized Him instantly.
Is Phanuel in the Bible?
Yes — Phanuel appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 2:36.
Pronunciation:/FAN-yoo-el/
OriginHebrew
MeaningFace of God; Vision of God
What does Phanuel mean?
Phanuel is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "Face of God; Vision of God". Phanuel means "face of God" in Hebrew — the same meaning as Peniel, where Jacob wrestled with God. In the New Testament, Phanuel is known as the father of Anna the prophetess, the elderly woman who recognized the infant Jesus in the temple.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
What does Phanuel mean in the Bible?
Phanuel means "Face of God; Vision of God" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Phanuel means "face of God" in Hebrew — the same meaning as Peniel, where Jacob wrestled with God. In the New Testament, Phanuel is known as the father of Anna the prophetess, the elderly woman who recognized the infant Jesus in the temple.
Anna "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." When she saw the baby Jesus, she "gave thanks likewise unto the LORD, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem."
That Luke identifies Anna as "the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser" provides several important details. The tribe of Asher was part of the northern kingdom — demonstrating that faithful Israelites from all tribes still worshipped in Jerusalem. The name Phanuel connects Anna's prophetic recognition of Christ to the patriarchal tradition of encountering God face to face.
Phanuel's daughter became one of only two people (alongside Simeon) who publicly recognized the newborn Messiah — a privilege born from decades of faithful prayer and temple service.
Where does Phanuel appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Phanuel is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Luke 2:36. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"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."
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Phanuel?
Phanuel is mentioned across 1 book of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Phanuel?
Phanuel — 'face of God' — raised a daughter who spent 84 years seeking that very face in the temple. When the face of God finally appeared in a baby's form, Anna recognized Him instantly.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Phanuel:
God Promises to Be Faithful
Bible promises about God's unwavering faithfulness in every situation.
God Promises Contentment Through Him
Bible promises about finding true satisfaction and contentment in God.
God Promises to Answer Prayer
Bible promises that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Devotional
Hebrews 13:8 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Faithfulness
Commentary
Hebrews 13:8 Commentary
In-depth study • The Unchanging Christ
Commentary
Hebrews 13:5 Commentary
In-depth study • Contentment & God's Presence
Word Meaning
Faithfulness (אֱמוּנָה (emunah))
Steadfast reliability and trustworthiness — firm, unwavering loyalty.
Word Meaning
Vision (חָזוֹן (chazon))
A divine revelation — God's supernatural communication through sight and insight.
Strong's
Strong's H2377 — Vision
חָזוֹן (chazon) • A divine revelation — God's supernatural communication through sight and insight.
What names are related to Phanuel?
Names like Phanuel
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "Face of God; Vision of God" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Phanuel
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Phanuel
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Phanuel name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Phanuel appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 2:36.
Phanuel means "Face of God; Vision of God." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it in Luke 2:36, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Hebrew. Phanuel comes into English from Hebrew and carries the sense "Face of God; Vision of God." It appears in the King James Bible, including Luke 2:36.
Common questions about the name Phanuel
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Phanuel?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Phanuel?
You can read every verse where Phanuel appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.