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.) Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. pl.) Alt. of Anaks. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ANAKIM an'-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" of Genesis 6:4, and according to Deuteronomy 2:11 they were reckoned among the REPHAIM (which see). In Numbers 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 (see Joshua 10:5) under their three leaders Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai (Numbers 13:22 Joshua 15:14 Judges 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

Multi-Version Concordance Anakim (10 Occurrences) Deuteronomy 1:28 Where are we going up? our brothers have made our heart to melt, saying,'The people are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to the sky; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there.'" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Deuteronomy 2:10 (The Emim lived therein before, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Deuteronomy 2:11 these also are accounted Rephaim, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Deuteronomy 2:21 a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Yahweh destroyed them before them; and they succeeded them, and lived in their place; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Deuteronomy 9:2 a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard say, "Who can stand before the sons of Anak?" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Joshua 11:21 Joshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah, and from all the hill country of Israel: Joshua utterly destroyed them with their cities. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Joshua 11:22 There were none of the Anakim left in the land of the children of Israel. Only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, did some remain. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Joshua 14:12 Now therefore give me this hill country, of which Yahweh spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and great and fortified cities. It may be that Yahweh will be with me, and I shall drive them out, as Yahweh spoke." (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Joshua 14:15 Now the name of Hebron before was Kiriath Arba, after the greatest man among the Anakim. The land had rest from war. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Jeremiah 47:5 The hair is cut off from the head of Gaza; Ashkelon has come to nothing; the last of the Anakim are deeply wounding themselves. (BBE RSV)