The centuries-old Ana BeKoach prayer (also Ana BeCoach or Ana B’Koach) is believed to be composed in the 1st century CE by the great Kabbalist Rabbi Nehonia. The poem portrays the 72 names of G-d and consisted of seven lines. Every line contains exactly six words. The first letter of each word suggests the 42-letter name that is also encrypted in the first 42 letters of the book of Genesis – from Bereshit (‘in the beginning’) to Vavohoo (‘without form, and void’).
The Ana BeKoach poem can be found in the Shaharit and Mincha prayers, and in the Shabbat prayer before Lecha Dodi.
The centuries-old Ana BeKoach prayer (also Ana BeCoach or Ana B’Koach) is believed to be composed in the 1st century CE by the great Kabbalist Rabbi Nehonia. The poem portrays the 72 names of G-d and consisted of seven lines. Every line contains exactly six words. The first letter of each word suggests the 42-letter name that is also encrypted in the first 42 letters of the book of Genesis – from Bereshit (‘in the beginning’) to Vavohoo (‘without form, and void’).
The Ana BeKoach poem can be found in the Shaharit and Mincha prayers, and in the Shabbat prayer before Lecha Dodi.
Many followers of Kabbalah and Jewish traditions (both secular and religious) favor this powerful prayer and treasure it not only in Shabbat and holiday prayers but also as an amulet pendant to be carried on ones chest as a pendant (see Ana BeKoach pendant) or as a ring (see Ana BeKoach ring).
Ana-BeKoach Lyrics Transliterated:
Ana bekoach, g’dulat yemincha, tatir tz’rura;
Kabel rinat amcha sagveinu, tahareinu nora;
Na gibor dorshei yichudcha, k’vavat shamrem;
Barchem, taharem, rachamei tzidkatcha, Tamid gamlem;
Chasin kadosh, Berov tuvcha nahel adatecha;
Yachid ge’eh le’amcha p’neh, zochrei k’dushatecha;
Shavateinu kabel ushma tza’akateinu, yode’a ta’alumot;
(Rabbi Nehonia, 1st century CE)
Ana-BeKoach Lyrics in English Translation:
Please, by the great power of thy right hand, O set the captive free;
Revered G-d, accept thy people’s prayer; strengthen us, cleanse us;
Almighty G-d, guard us as the apple of the eye of those who seek thee;
Bless them, cleanse them, pity them; ever grant them thy truth;
Mighty, holy G-d, in thy abundant grace, guide thy people;
Accept our prayer, hear our cry, thou who knowest secret thoughts;
Blessed be the name of his glorious majesty forever and ever;
(Based on original translation by Philip (Paltiel) Birnbaum, Ha-Siddur Ha-Shalem, New York: Hebrew Publishing Co., 1949, p. 33-4)