Proto-Gospel of James

Joachim and Anna — their long childlessness, the reproach of Joachim by Reubim in the temple, his fast in the wilderness, and the answer of the Lord by the angel.

1In the records of the twelve tribes of Israel, Joachim was a man rich exceedingly. He brought his offerings two-fold, saying within himself: That which I bring of my superfluity shall be for the whole people; and that which is for my forgiveness shall be for the Lord God, for a propitiation for me.

2Now the great day of the Lord drew nigh; and the children of Israel brought their offerings. Reubim stood up over against Joachim, saying: It is not lawful for thee first to offer thy gifts; for thou hast not raised up seed in Israel. And Joachim was sore grieved; and he went unto the records of the twelve tribes of the people, saying: I shall look in the records of the twelve tribes of Israel, whether I alone have not raised up seed in Israel. And he searched, and found that all the righteous had raised up seed in Israel. He remembered the patriarch Abraham, that in the last day God gave him a son, even Isaac.

3And Joachim was sore grieved; and showed not himself unto his wife. He betook himself unto the wilderness; and he pitched there his tent; and he fasted forty days and forty nights, saying within himself: I shall not go down either for food or for drink, until the Lord my God shall look upon me. My prayer shall be my food and drink.

4Now Anna his wife mourned and lamented in two-fold sorrow. She mourned, saying: I shall mourn my widowhood; and I shall mourn my childlessness.

5Now the great day of the Lord drew nigh; and Judith her handmaid said unto her: How long wilt thou afflict thy soul? Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and it is unlawful for thee to mourn. Take, therefore, this head-band, which the mistress of the work gave me; and it is not lawful for me to wear it, since I am thy handmaid, and it hath a royal mark.

6And Anna said: Depart from me; I have not done these things, and the Lord hath greatly humbled me. I fear lest some perchance hath given thee this; and thou hast come to make me partaker in thy sin. And Judith said: How shall I curse thee, since the Lord hath shut up thy womb to give thee no fruit in Israel?

7And Anna was sore grieved; and she put off her garments of mourning, and she cleansed her head, and she put on her garments of bridal attire. About the ninth hour she went down into the garden to walk; and she saw a laurel tree; and she sat under it. And after she had rested, she made supplication unto the Master, saying: O God of our fathers, bless me, and hear my prayer; even as Thou didst bless the womb of Sarah, and gavest her a son, even Isaac.

8Looking up unto the heaven, she beheld a sparrow's nest in the laurel; and she made a lamentation in herself, saying: Wo unto me — who begat me? And what manner of womb brought me forth? — that I should become accursed before the children of Israel; and that they should reproach me, and laugh me unto scorn in the temple of my God. Wo unto me — unto what have I been likened? I am not like the fowls of the heaven, for even the fowls of the heaven are fruitful before Thee, O Lord. Wo unto me — unto what have I been likened? I am not like the beasts of the earth, for even the beasts of the earth are fruitful before Thee, O Lord. Wo unto me — unto what have I been likened? I am not like the waters of the earth, for even the waters of the earth are fruitful before Thee, O Lord. Wo unto me — unto what have I been likened? I am not like this earth, for the earth bringeth forth its fruits in season, and blesseth Thee, O Lord.

9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by, saying: Anna, Anna, the Lord hath heard thy prayer; thou shalt conceive and bring forth, and thy seed shall be spoken of throughout the whole world. And Anna said: As the Lord my God liveth, if I beget either male or female, I shall bring it as a gift unto the Lord my God; and it shall be ministering unto Him in the holy things all the days of its life.

10And behold there came two messengers, saying unto her: Behold, Joachim thy husband is coming with his flocks; for an angel of the Lord came down unto him, saying: Joachim, Joachim, the Lord God hath heard thy prayer. Go down hence; for behold thy wife Anna shall conceive in her womb. So Joachim went down, and called his herdsmen, saying: Bring me hither ten lambs without spot or blemish, and they shall be for the Lord my God; and bring me twelve tender calves, and they shall be for the priests and the elders; and an hundred kids for the whole people.

11And behold, Joachim came with his flocks. And Anna stood at the gate, and beheld Joachim coming; and forthwith she ran and hung upon his neck, saying: Now know I that the Lord God hath blessed me exceedingly. For behold, the widow is no more a widow; and the childless one shall conceive in her womb. And Joachim rested the first day in his house.