Topical Encyclopedia
Anath is a figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically within the context of the Book of Judges. The name Anath is associated with a Canaanite goddess of war and fertility, but in the biblical narrative, it is more prominently recognized as part of the name of Shamgar, a judge of Israel.
Shamgar, Son of AnathShamgar is introduced in
Judges 3:31: "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. He struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, and he too saved Israel." . This brief mention highlights Shamgar's role as a deliverer of Israel, following the pattern of the judges who were raised up by God to rescue the Israelites from their oppressors.
The title "son of Anath" has led to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest that Anath could be a reference to the Canaanite goddess, indicating a possible syncretism or cultural influence. However, from a conservative perspective, it is more likely that Anath refers to a geographical location or a family name, rather than a direct association with the pagan deity. This interpretation aligns with the biblical narrative's emphasis on the distinctiveness of Israel's faith and the rejection of Canaanite religious practices.
Cultural and Historical ContextThe period of the judges was marked by a cycle of apostasy, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. Shamgar's victory over the Philistines with an oxgoad—a farming implement—demonstrates the unconventional means by which God often delivered His people. This account underscores the theme of divine empowerment, where God uses unlikely individuals and methods to achieve His purposes.
The Philistines, mentioned as Shamgar's adversaries, were a significant threat to Israel during this time. They were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan and frequently clashed with the Israelites. Shamgar's defeat of six hundred Philistines is a testament to his bravery and the divine assistance granted to him.
Legacy and SignificanceAlthough Shamgar's account is brief, his inclusion in the Book of Judges serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in raising leaders to deliver Israel. His account, like those of other judges, points to the need for a righteous and faithful leader, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
In summary, Anath, as referenced in the Bible, is primarily associated with Shamgar, a judge of Israel. The mention of Anath in this context highlights the cultural and historical backdrop of the judges' era, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the deliverance of His people through unexpected means.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Anath(answer), father of Shamgar. (Judges 3:31;5:6)
Easton's Bible Dictionary
An answer; i.e., to "prayer", the father of Shamgar, who was one of the judges of Israel (
Judges 3:31).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ANATHa'-nath (`anath): Father of Shamgar (Judges 3:31;Judges 5:6). This name is connected with the Phoenician and Canaanite goddess `Anat, which was also worshipped in Egypt. She is mentioned in monuments of the 18th Dynasty, coupled with the war-goddess Astart (Moore, Judges, 105-896; DB; EB).
Strong's Hebrew
1043. Beth-anath -- "temple of Anat," a place in NaphtaliBeth-
anath. 1042, 1043. Beth-
anath. 1044 . "temple of Anat," a place
in Naphtali. Transliteration: Beth-
anath Phonetic Spelling
...6067.Anath -- father of Shamgar
... 6066, 6067.Anath. 6068 . father of Shamgar. Transliteration:Anath
Phonetic Spelling: (an-awth') Short Definition:Anath. Word...
6030. anah -- to answer, respond
... See also Beyth 'Anowth, Beyth 'Anath. see HEBREW anah. see HEBREW anah. see HEBREW
Beyth 'Anowth. see HEBREW Beyth 'Anath. 6029, 6030. anah. 6030a ....
6068. Anathoth -- a place near Jer., also two Israelites
... Anathoth. Plural ofAnath; Anathoth, the name of two Israelites, also of a place
in Pal -- Anathoth. see HEBREWAnath. 6067, 6068. Anathoth. 6069 ....
Library
The Third Ecumenical Council. The Council of Ephesus.
... The XII. Anathematisms of St. Cyril, and Nestorius's Counter-anathematisms, with
Notes. Excursus toAnath. I., On the word Theotokos . Excursus toAnath....
Deborah's Song
... Men. In the days of Shamgar the son ofAnath, In the days of Jael, The highways
were unoccupied, And the travellers walked through byways; The rulers ceased in...
Women who Saved a Nation
... Israel's God. "In the days ofAnath's son, Shamgar, In Jael's days the roads
were unused, And travellers walked through byways. Leaders...
Content of Revelation. God Three in one and the Incarnation.
... utterance through the Word (see Orat. iii.12, 14; de Syn.27,Anath 15,
note; also Serap. i.14). Lastly, it must again be insisted...
iv.
... Incarnation, and the measures of the state of humiliation. (Apol. contra
Theod., adAnath. iv.). And if he is one and the same in...
Excursus on How Our Lord Worked Miracles.
... by the Ecumenical Councils of the Church. Theodoret. (Counter Statement to
Anath. IX. of Cyril.). Here he has plainly had the hardihood...
Whether Christ is Subject to Himself?
... i,anath.6): "If anyone say that the Word begotten of God the Father is the God
or Lord of Christ, and does not rather confess the same to be at once God and...
Whether the Effect of the Priesthood of Christ Pertained not Only...
... i,anath.10]: "If anyone say that Christ offered sacrifice for Himself, and not
rather for us alone (for He Who knew not sin needed no sacrifice), let him be...
Whether the Effect of Christ's Priesthood is the Expiation of Sins...
... i,anath.10] we read: "If anyone say that the very Word of God did not become our
High-Priest and Apostle, when He became flesh and a man like us, but...
How Our People Served the Moabites Eighteen Years, and were Then...
... forementioned act of his. After him Shamgat, the son ofAnath, was elected for
their governor, but died in the first year of his government....
Thesaurus
Anath (4 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
ANATH.
...Anath (4 Occurrences). Joshua 19:38 Iron, Migdal
El, Horem, Beth
Anath, and Beth Shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages
...Beth-anath (2 Occurrences)
Beth-anath. Bethanath, Beth-anath. Bethanoth . Easton's Bible Dictionary
House... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BETH-ANATH. beth...
Ta'anath-shi'loh (1 Occurrence)
Ta'anath-shi'loh. Taanath-shiloh, Ta'anath-shi'loh. Taarea .
Multi-Version Concordance Ta'anath-shi'loh (1 Occurrence)....
Shamgar (2 Occurrences)
... from the maritime plain had made incursions into the Hebrew upland for the purposes
of plunder, when one of this name, the son ofAnath, otherwise unknown...
Bethanath (2 Occurrences)
... BETH-ANATH. beth-a'-nath (beth`anath; Bainathath): A city in the territory of Naphtali,
named with Horem and Bethshemesh (Joshua 19:38 Judges 1:33)....
Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences)
... known. 3. Beth-shemesh of Naphtali: A Beth-shemesh is mentioned together
with Beth-anath as cities of Naphtali (Joshua 19:38). There...
Beth-she'mesh (20 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Joshua 19:38 and Iron, and Migdal-el, and Horem, and Beth-anath, and
Beth-shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages. (See RSV)....
Shemesh (24 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Joshua 19:38 Iron, Migdal El, Horem,
BethAnath, and Beth Shemesh; nineteen cities with their villages....
Taanath-shiloh (1 Occurrence)
Taanath-shiloh. Taanathshiloh, Taanath-shiloh. Ta'anath-shi'loh ....
Taanathshiloh, Taanath-shiloh. Ta'anath-shi'loh . Reference Bible.
Anathema (6 Occurrences)
... In this sense the form of the word isanath(ee)ma, once in plural used in the Greek
New Testament, in Luke 21:5, where it is rendered "gifts." In the LXX....
Resources
Who was Shamgar? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Baal? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Asherah / Ashtoreth? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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