Topical Encyclopedia
The Anakim are a group of people mentioned in the Old Testament, known for their great size and strength. They are often associated with the Nephilim and are considered to be descendants of Anak, from whom they derive their name. The Anakim are primarily mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, where they are depicted as formidable adversaries.
Biblical ReferencesThe first mention of the Anakim is found in the Book of Numbers, where the Israelite spies report on the inhabitants of Canaan: "We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them" (
Numbers 13:33). This report instilled fear among the Israelites, contributing to their reluctance to enter the Promised Land.
In Deuteronomy, Moses recounts the journey of the Israelites and their encounters with the Anakim: "The people are strong and tall, the descendants of the Anakim. You know about them and have heard it said: 'Who can stand up to the sons of Anak?'" (
Deuteronomy 9:2). Despite their fearsome reputation, God assures the Israelites of victory over these giants.
The Anakim are also mentioned in the context of the conquest led by Joshua. In
Joshua 11:21-22 , it is recorded that Joshua cut off the Anakim from the hill country, leaving none in the land of Israel except in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. This indicates that while the Anakim were largely defeated, remnants of them continued to exist in certain Philistine cities.
Historical and Cultural ContextThe Anakim are often associated with the Nephilim, a mysterious group mentioned in
Genesis 6:4, described as "mighty men who were of old, men of renown." The exact nature of the Nephilim and their connection to the Anakim is a subject of much debate among scholars. Some interpretations suggest that the Anakim were a race of giants, possibly of mixed human and angelic descent, while others view them as a powerful and intimidating people group.
The presence of the Anakim in Canaan posed a significant challenge to the Israelites, both physically and spiritually. Their defeat by Joshua is seen as a testament to God's power and faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to the Israelites.
Theological SignificanceThe narrative of the Anakim serves as a reminder of the obstacles that God's people may face in their journey of faith. The Israelites' initial fear of the Anakim highlights the human tendency to focus on visible challenges rather than trusting in God's promises. The eventual victory over the Anakim underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands.
The Anakim also symbolize the spiritual battles that believers encounter. Just as the Israelites were called to conquer the physical giants in the land, Christians are called to overcome spiritual giants through faith in God. The account of the Anakim encourages believers to rely on God's strength rather than their own, trusting that He will lead them to victory over any adversary.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Anakim(long-necked), a race of giants, descendants of Arba, (Joshua 15:13;21:11) dwelling in the southern part of Canaan, and particularly at Hebron, which from their progenitor received the name of "city of Arba." Anak was the name of the race rather than that of an individual. (Joshua 14:15) The race appears to have been divided into three tribes or families, bearing the names Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai. Though the war-like appearance of the Anakim had struck the Israelites with terror in the time of Moses, (Numbers 13:28;9:2) they were nevertheless dispossessed by Joshua, (Joshua 11:21,22) and their chief city, Hebron, became the possession of Caleb. (Joshua 15:14;Judges 1:20) After this time they vanish from history.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The descendants of Anak (
Joshua 11:21;
Numbers 13:33;
Deuteronomy 9:2). They dwelt in the south of Palestine, in the neighbourhood of Hebron (
Genesis 23:2;
Joshua 15:13). In the days of Abraham (
Genesis 14:5, 6) they inhabited the region afterwards known as Edom and Moab, east of the Jordan. They were probably a remnant of the original inhabitants of Palestine before the Canaanites, a Cushite tribe from Babel, and of the same race as the Phoenicians and the Egyptian shepherd kings. Their formidable warlike appearance, as described by the spies sent to search the land, filled the Israelites with terror. They seem to have identified them with the Nephilim, the "giants" (
Genesis 6:4;
Numbers 13:33) of the antediluvian age. There were various tribes of Anakim (
Joshua 15:14). Joshua finally expelled them from the land, except a remnant that found a refuge in the cities of Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (
Joshua 11:22). The Philistine giants whom David encountered (
2 Samuel 21:15-22) were descendants of the Anakim. (see
GIANTS.)
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n. pl.) Alt. of Anaks.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ANAKIMan'-a-kim (`anaqim; Enakim, or Enakeim; also called "sons of Anak" (Numbers 13:33), and "sons of the Anakim" (Deuteronomy 1:28)): The spies (Numbers 13:33) compared them to the Nephilim or "giants" ofGenesis 6:4, and according toDeuteronomy 2:11 they were reckoned among the REPHAIM (which see). InNumbers 13:22 the chiefs of Hebron are said to be descendants of Anak, while "the father of Anak" is stated in Jos (15:13; 21:11) to be Arba after whom Hebron was called "the city of Arba." Jos "cut off the Anakim. from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab,. and from all the hill-country of Israel," remnants of them being left in the Philistine cities of Gaza, Gath and Ashdod (Joshua 11:21, 22). As compared with the Israelites, they were tall like giants (Numbers 13:33), and it would therefore seem that the "giant" Goliath and his family were of their race.
At Hebron, at the time of the Israelite conquest, we may gather that they formed the body-guard of the Amorite king (seeJoshua 10:5) under their three leaders Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai (Numbers 13:22Joshua 15:14Judges 1:20). Tell el-Amarna Letters show that the Canaanite princes were accustomed to surround themselves with bodyguards of foreign mercenaries. It appears probable that the Anakim came from the Aegean like the Philistines, to whom they may have been related. The name Anak is a masculine corresponding with a feminine which we meet with in the name of the goddess Onka, who according to the Greek writers, Stephanus of Byzantium and Hesychius, was the "Phoen," i.e. Syrian equivalent of Athena. Anket or Anukit was also the name of the goddess worshipped by the Egyptians at the First Cataract. In the name Ahi-man it is possible that "-man" denotes a non-Semitic deity.
A. H. Sayce
Strong's Hebrew
6062. Anaq -- "neck," a giant people around Hebron and in...... Anaq. 6063 . "neck," a giant people around Hebron and in Philistia. Transliteration:
Anaq Phonetic Spelling: (an-aw-kee') Short Definition:
Anakim.
...Anakim.
...704. Arba -- Arba
... Word Origin part of the place name Qiryath, qv. Arba The same as arba'; Arba, one
of theAnakim -- Arba. see HEBREW arba'. 703, 704. Arba. 705 ....
Library
Conflicts with Giant Mistake
... Really he is not a trueAnakim, but a Gibeonite, who are foes until they are conquered,
and then they become hewers of wood and drawers of water for us"they...
Canaan on Earth
... the land of Canaan, fighting for their own inheritance; and though each tribe had
its lot marked out, yet they had to conquer the giantAnakim, and encounter...
Two Ways of Seeing
... "How could Israel fight with such fellows, anyway?" The ten were full of doubts,
and they looked through their doubts, and their doubts magnified theAnakim....
Statement of the Reasons Wherefore the Matters, Treated of Shortly...
... audience. [2100] TheAnakim, or "sons of Anak." Cf. Deuteronomy 9:2; Joshua
11:21-22. [2101] The Valley of Rephaim. 2 Sam. v. 18....
Canaan
... their own. In the north they were known as Hivites, at Hebron they were called
Anakim, at Jerusalem they were Jebusites. The Amorite...
Afraid of Giants
... It is well to see theAnakim in their full formidableness, and to feel that we are
'as grasshoppers in our own sight' and in theirs, if the sight drives us to...
The Way.
... How could a rich man believe he would be of more value without his money? that
the casting of it away would make him one of God'sAnakim?...
The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... must have led to abnormal forms, which would account for the half-human, or
super-human beings, which became the Nephilim, the Rephaim, andAnakim of Scripture...
The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... men of prodigious strength"Zuzim; as having a buzzing and indistinct manner of
speech"Zamzummim; as formidable monsters**"Emim orAnakim, before whom...
Thesaurus
Anakim (10 Occurrences)... There were various tribes of
Anakim (Joshua 15:14).
... The Philistine giants whom David
encountered (2 Samuel 21:15-22) were descendants of the
Anakim.
...Anakites (8 Occurrences)
... The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up
to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of theAnakim there.' (See NIV)....
Anak (8 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Long-necked, the son of Arba, father of theAnakim (Joshua
15:13; 21:11, Hebrews Anok). Int.... ANAK. an'-nak. SeeANAKIM....
Tall (41 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Deuteronomy 2:10 (The Emim lived therein before, a people great, and many,
and tall, as theAnakim: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Emim (3 Occurrences)
... been the earlier inhabitants of Moab (Deuteronomy 2:10, 11), and to have been of
tall stature, and hence, "accounted Rephaim (or giants) as theAnakim" or the...
Arba (9 Occurrences)
... ar'-ba ('arba`, "four"): Variously described as "the greatest man among theAnakim"
(Joshua 14:15), "the father of Anak" (Joshua 15:13), "the father of Anok...
Ahiman (4 Occurrences)
... (1.) One of the three giantAnakim brothers whom Caleb and the spies saw in Mount
Hebron (Numbers 13:22) when they went in to explore the land....
Anab (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Grape-town, one of the cities in the mountains of Judah,
from which Joshua expelled theAnakim (Joshua 11:21; 15:50)....
Debir (12 Occurrences)
... It was originally one of the towns of theAnakim (Joshua 15:15), and was
also called Kirjath-sepher (qv) and Kirjath-sannah (49)....
Kirjath-arba (8 Occurrences)
... City of Arba, the original name of Hebron (qv), so called from the name of its
founder, one of theAnakim (Genesis 23:2; 35:27; Joshua 15:13)....
Resources
Who were the Anakim / Anakites? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Rephaim? | GotQuestions.orgIs there any evidence for the giants mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAnakim: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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