Original Word: עָנַק
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: `anaq
Pronunciation: ah-nahk
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nak')
KJV: compass about as a chain, furnish, liberally
NASB: furnish him liberally, necklace
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. (properly) to choke
2. used only as denominative from H6060, to collar, i.e. adorn with a necklace
3. (figuratively) to fit out with supplies

compass about as a chain, furnish, liberally

A primitive root; properly, to choke; used only as denominative from anaq, to collar, i.e. Adorn with a necklace; figuratively, to fit out with supplies -- compass about as a chain, furnish, liberally.

see HEBREW anaq

Word Origin
denominative verb from anaq
Definition
to serve as a necklace
NASB Translation
furnish him liberally (1), necklace (1).

[עָנַק] verb denominative serve as necklace; —

Qal3feminine singular suffix עֲנָקַתְמוֺ Psalm 73:6 pride is necklace for them.

Hiph`il Imperfect and Infinitive absolute הַעֲנֵיק תַּעֲנִיק לוֺ Deuteronomy 15:14 thou shalt make a rich necklace for him from thy flock, etc., figurative for richly load him.

Semantic Range and Imagery

The verb עָנַק conveys the picture of placing something around another—whether an ornament around the neck or abundant provision pressed into the hands. From that concrete image arises a figurative sense of either lavish generosity or ostentatious self-display. Scripture employs the word in both positive and negative settings, thereby highlighting two contrasting spiritual postures: gracious giving versus arrogant self-adornment.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Deuteronomy 15:14 (twice)
2. Psalm 73:6

Covenantal Generosity in Deuteronomy 15

In the context of releasing a Hebrew servant in the Sabbath year, Moses commands, “You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you” (Deuteronomy 15:14). The doubled use of עָנַק intensifies the call to generosity. Israel’s memory of their own redemption from Egypt (Deuteronomy 15:15) grounds the mandate: the redeemed must mirror their Redeemer’s open-handedness. The verb thus serves as a theological hinge between divine blessing and human benevolence, turning gratitude into concrete action.

Within Israel’s socio-economic life, this requirement prevented the re-enslavement of the poor and promoted covenant solidarity. By lavishing gifts upon the departing servant, the master acknowledged that all he possessed ultimately came from God. The practice anticipated New Testament exhortations such as Ephesians 4:28 and 1 John 3:17, in which redeemed people are urged to share generously with those in need.

Wicked Adornment in Psalm 73

The psalmist laments, “Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them” (Psalm 73:6). Here עָנַק shifts from benevolent furnishing to self-exalting display. Pride hangs on the wicked as conspicuously as a jeweled collar, advertising a heart estranged from God. The contrast with Deuteronomy 15 is stark: what ought to be used to bless others becomes a badge of self-promotion.

The imagery underscores a universal biblical principle: whatever encircles the heart will eventually encircle the life—either humility expressed in generosity or arrogance expressed in oppression.

Theology of Provision and Pride

Taken together, the passages reveal a moral polarity. The same action of “placing around” can:

• Extend covenant mercy (Deuteronomy 15)
• Expose covenant unfaithfulness (Psalm 73)

Thus עָנַק bridges teachings on stewardship and sin, reminding readers that possessions and status are never neutral; they either serve God’s purposes or display rebellion against Him.

Application for Christian Ministry

1. Discipleship: Teach believers to translate received blessings into liberality, reflecting the gospel pattern of grace leading to giving.
2. Social ethics: Encourage practices that liberate the economically vulnerable rather than perpetuate cycles of dependence or exploitation.
3. Spiritual formation: Warn against the subtlety of pride that can “adorn” the soul. Regular self-examination and accountability help ensure that resources remain instruments of service, not symbols of self-importance.

Typological and Christological Insights

The servant’s lavish outfitting in Deuteronomy 15 prefigures the way Christ “became poor” so that believers “through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). He releases captives (Luke 4:18) and sends them out clothed with spiritual riches (Romans 8:32). Conversely, those who reject Him “adorn” themselves with pride, awaiting the ultimate reversal depicted in Psalm 73:18-20.

Historical Echoes

Second Temple literature often linked generosity with covenant faithfulness, echoing Deuteronomy 15’s interpretation of עָנַק. Early Christian writers such as Basil and Chrysostom likewise appealed to this motif to challenge hoarding among the wealthy, seeing themselves within the same redemptive storyline.

Summary

עָנַק forms a concise yet potent biblical motif: what one fastens upon another—or upon oneself—reveals the orientation of the heart. In the hands of the righteous it distributes blessing; in the hearts of the wicked it advertises rebellion. Every generation must decide whether the verb will describe generous release or arrogant display.

הַעֲנֵ֤יק העניק עֲנָקַ֣תְמוֹ ענקתמו תַּעֲנִיק֙ תעניק ‘ă·nā·qaṯ·mōw ‘ănāqaṯmōw anaKatmov ha‘ănêq ha·‘ă·nêq haaNeik ta‘ănîq ta·‘ă·nîq taaNikInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts