In all truth, they could repeat what the Book says when it sings the praises of Wisdom in the book of the same name: See Wis 8:2 below.
Anne, daughter of Aaron, was the strong woman of whom our forefather speaks. Solomon, from whom Jesus descended. Author of the "Proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel" (Proverbs 1:1). For the quotation, see Proverbs 31:10-27.
Joachim had thus twice married wisdom "loving her more than any other woman": God's wisdom contained in the heart of the righteous woman. See Wis 8:9 below.
To be the emblem of the "strong woman", all she needed was to be crowned with children, for this is the glory of a wife, the justification of marriage, of which Solomon speaks. See Pr 31, 28.
Now an old woman, Joachim's wife for decades, she remained for him "the wife of his youth, his joy, his beloved hind, his graceful gazelle". See Pr 5:18-19. Almost unanimous tradition has it that Anne was married for more than 20 years (4 lustres) (cf. P.V. Charland, Les trois légendes de Madame Saincte Anne, volume 1 1898, page 11), and that she had Mary in her old age. This tradition is also confirmed by Marie d'Agreda(La Cité mystique de Dieu - Livre 1, Chapitre 15, § 209, page 518), as well as by Anne-Catherine Emmerich (La Vie de la Vierge Marie, Presses de la Renaissance, 2006, page 45).
In their sadness at being childless, they spoke to each other "words of comfort in their cares and woes": see Wis 8, 9 below.
The words of the Book of Wisdom seem to have been written for them: "For her sake I will have glory among the multitudes... For her sake I will have immortality, and I will leave an everlasting memory for those who come after me. "See Wis 8, 9-10.
Book of Wisdom 8, 2 and 8, 9-10
Wis 8, 2 : I loved her and sought her out from my youth; I sought her as my wife, and was enamored of her beauty.
Wis 8:9-10 : So I resolved to take her as my life's companion, knowing that she would be to me a counsellor of all good, and a comfort in my cares and sorrows. Through her, I said to myself, I would have glory in the assemblies, and, still young, honor with the old men.
Book of Proverbs 5, 18-19
Pr 5, 18-19 : Bless your spring, and rejoice in the wife of your youth. Charming doe, graceful gazelle, - let her charms intoxicate you at all times, be always enamored of her love!
Book of Proverbs 31, 10-31
Pr 31, 10-31 :
THE STRONG WOMAN.
ALEPH. Who can find a strong woman? Her price far outweighs that of pearls.
BETH. Her husband's heart trusts her, and profits will not fail her.
GHIMEL. She does him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
DALETH. She seeks wool and flax, and works with her cheerful hand.
HÉ. She is like the merchant's vessel, bringing her bread from afar.
VAV. She rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her house, and task to her maids.
ZAIN. She thinks of a field, and acquires it; with the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
HETH. She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
TETH. She feels that her gain is good; her lamp is not extinguished in the night. YOD. She puts her hand to the distaff, and her fingers take up the spindle.
CAPH. She stretches out her hand to the unfortunate, she opens her hand to the needy.
LAMED. She does not fear the snow for her house, for all her house is clothed in crimson.
MEM. She makes herself blankets, byssus and purple are her garments.
NUN. Her husband is well known at the city gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
SAMECH. She makes shirts and sells them, and delivers belts to the merchant.
AĂŹN. Strength and grace are her adornment, and she laughs at the future.
PHE. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and good words are on her tongue.
TSADÉ. She watches over the paths of her house, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
QOPH. Her sons rise up and proclaim her happy; her husband rises up and gives her praise:
RESCH. "Many daughters have shown themselves virtuous; but you, you surpass them all."
SCHIN. Deceitful is grace, and vain is beauty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one who will be praised.
THAV. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works declare her praise at the gates of the city.