Original Word: אֲחִימַן
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Achiyman
Pronunciation: a-khee-man'
Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ee-man')
KJV: Ahiman
NASB: Ahiman
Word Origin: [from H251 (אָח - brother) and H4480 (מִן מִנִּי מִנֵּי - than)]

1. brother of a portion (i.e. gift)
2. Achiman, the name of an Anakite and of an Israelite

Ahiman

Or machiyman {akh-ee-mawn'}; from 'ach and min; brother of a portion (i.e. Gift); Achiman, the name of an Anakite and of an Israelite -- Ahiman.

see HEBREW 'ach

see HEBREW min

Word Origin
from the same as ach
Definition
a Levite, also a son of Anak
NASB Translation
Ahiman (4).

אֲחִימַן proper name, masculine (my brother is a gift ? so Thes; compare Arabic ) < אֲחִימָן, see Norzi^{Num 13:22} GFM^{Judg 1:10} (after Ven¹ Mich.).

1 a son of Anak Numbers 13:22; Judges 1:10; אֲחִימָן֨ Joshua 15:14.

2 a Levite, אֲחִימָ֑ן, 1 Chronicles 9:17.

Identity and Occurrences

Ahiman appears four times in the Old Testament. Three references (Numbers 13:22; Joshua 15:14; Judges 1:10) portray him as one of the formidable Anakim who dominated Hebron prior to Israel’s conquest. A fourth reference (1 Chronicles 9:17) introduces a later namesake who served as a Levitical gatekeeper in the restored temple community.

Ahiman of the Anakim

The Anakim embodied the dread that gripped Israel when the twelve spies surveyed Canaan. Numbers 13:22 records, “they came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived”. Their stature became the focus of the majority report that “the people living in the land are strong” (Numbers 13:28), feeding national unbelief at Kadesh-barnea.

Forty-five years later, Hebron’s giants fell before the faith of Caleb, as Joshua 15:14 testifies: “Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak”. The defeat was later repeated by Judah’s forces in Judges 1:10, underscoring that the conquest was not a momentary exploit of a single hero but part of Judah’s broader faith-driven advance. Ahiman’s downfall therefore illustrates the certainty of divine promises over visible obstacles (cf. Deuteronomy 9:1-3).

Historical and Redemptive Significance

1. Validation of the conquest promises

Ahiman’s presence at Hebron verifies the precise geographic notes given to Abraham (Genesis 13:18) and later affirmed to Moses (Exodus 3:8). When Caleb secured Hebron, the fulfillment was measurable, concrete, and public, anchoring Israel’s confidence in every subsequent allotment.

2. Vindication of Caleb’s minority report

Caleb and Joshua had insisted, “If the LORD is pleased with us, He will bring us into this land” (Numbers 14:8). Caleb’s personal triumph over Ahiman and his brothers publicly vindicated decades of patient confidence in God’s word.

3. A paradigm of spiritual warfare

The Anakim are repeatedly called “great and tall” (Deuteronomy 1:28), yet they are helpless against covenant obedience. Ahiman therefore becomes emblematic of any opposition that looms larger than one’s resources yet smaller than the LORD’s faithfulness (Psalms 27:1).

Ahiman the Levitical Gatekeeper

Centuries later, a different Ahiman is named among the gatekeepers who served at the rebuilt temple: “Now the gatekeepers were Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman, and their brothers” (1 Chronicles 9:17). Though bearing the same name, this man’s vocation contrasts sharply with the Anakite giant:

• From obstacle to facilitator – One Ahiman blocked Israel’s advance; the other safeguarded the place where Israel drew near to God.
• From Hebron’s hill country to Zion’s sanctuary – The narrative arc moves from the conquest of a strategic city to the stewardship of worship in Jerusalem.
• From fear to service – The earlier Ahiman cultivated fear; the later Ahiman enabled fellowship, ensuring that worship proceeded in holiness and order (cf. 1 Chronicles 9:23-27).

Theological and Spiritual Lessons

1. God reverses reputations. The name once attached to a terror of Israel later belongs to a servant in Israel’s worship. The LORD can reframe any history for His glory.

2. Persevering faith inherits promises. Caleb’s victory over Ahiman confirms Hebrews 6:12: “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Waiting does not weaken promise; it ripens it.

3. Ministry requires vigilance. The gatekeepers, including Ahiman, stand as Old Testament forerunners of spiritual watchfulness (Nehemiah 12:45). The same zeal that expelled giants must guard the purity of worship.

Typological Reflections

• Conquest and Kingdom – Caleb’s occupation of Hebron foreshadows the Messiah’s larger victory over every “principality and power” (Colossians 2:15). Giants like Ahiman prefigure the hostile rulers Christ defeats.
• Priesthood and Access – The gatekeeping Ahiman anticipates the New Covenant reality where every believer is both guarded and granted entrance by the finished work of Christ, our true “door” (John 10:9).

Practical Application

Believers today face cultural, ideological, and personal “giants.” Ahiman reminds the church that visible threats cannot nullify divine promises. Simultaneously, the Levitical Ahiman calls every believer to guard the heart’s sanctuary (Proverbs 4:23) so that worship remains undistracted and undefiled.

Related Themes and Cross References

Anakim – Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10-11; 9:2

Caleb’s inheritance – Joshua 14:6-15

Gatekeepers – 1 Chronicles 26:1-19; Nehemiah 12:25

Faith over fear – Psalms 56:3-4; 2 Timothy 1:7

Summary

Ahiman’s name bookends contrasting stories: a towering obstacle conquered by covenant faith and a humble servant sustaining covenant worship. Together they showcase the triumph of God’s promise and the privilege of guarding His presence—inviting every generation to trust, obey, and serve.

אֲחִימַ֖ן אֲחִימַן֙ אחימן וַאֲחִימָ֑ן ואחימן ’ă·ḥî·man ’ăḥîman achiMan vaachiMan wa’ăḥîmān wa·’ă·ḥî·mānInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts