Anak
“Long-necked, that is, a giant”
Summary
The progenitor of the Anakim, a race of giants who inhabited the southern region of Canaan, particularly around Hebron, before the Israelite conquest.
☩Identity and Descendants
Anak was the son of Arba, who founded Kirjath-Arba, later known as Hebron. He became the progenitor of a race of giants called the Anakim, who were renowned for their great stature and fierce appearance. Anak had three sons—Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai—whose descendants formed three tribes or clans that terrified the Israelite spies.
☩Conquest by Israel
Despite their formidable size, only Joshua and Caleb believed Israel could conquer the Anakim. Joshua eventually led the attack against them, slaughtering most of the giants, while the survivors fled to the Philistine cities of Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod. Gath remained a home of giants for centuries, producing warriors like Goliath.
Related Verses8 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Anak," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Richard Watson, "Anak," in A Biblical and Theological Dictionary (John Mason, 1831).
- 3.Don Fleming, "Anak," in Bridgeway Bible Dictionary (Bridgeway Publications, 1990).