6061. Anaq
Lexical Summary
Anaq: Anak

Original Word: עָנָק
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Anaq
Pronunciation: ah-nahk'
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-nawk')
KJV: Anak
NASB: Anak
Word Origin: [the same as H6060 (עָנָק - neck bands)]

1. Anak, a Canaanite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Anak

The same as anaq; Anak, a Canaanite -- Anak.

see HEBREW anaq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
"neck," a Canaanite
NASB Translation
Anak (9).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. עֲנָק noun [masculine] neck, only in

epithet of people בְּנֵי הָעֲנָק long-necked (tall) men, early giant people about Hebron and in Philistia, Ενακ, Εναχ, Joshua 15:14 (JE) = Judges 1:20, without article Numbers 13:33 (JE), Deuteronomy 9:2; also ׳יְלִדַי הָע Numbers 13:22,28; Joshua 15:14 (all J E); called also עֲנָקִים long-necks, Ενακειμ, Joshua 14:12,15 (JE), Joshua 11:21,22 (D), Deuteronomy 2:10,11,21 + Jeremiah 47:5 (read עֲנָקִים for ᵑ0 עִמְקָם), and perhaps 1 Chronicles 12:16 (see עֵמֶק near the end); בְּנֵי עֲנָקִים 1 Chronicles 1:28 (ᵐ5 γίγαντες, compare Numbers 13:33), Numbers 9:2; עֲנָק later (erroneously) as eponymous ancestor of Anakim Joshua 15:13 = עֲנוֺק Joshua 21:11 (both P). — See especially MeyZAW i (1881), 139 GFMJudges 1:10. 20 CheEncy. Bib. ANAK.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Lineage

Anak stands as the eponymous ancestor of the Anakim, a clan renowned for extraordinary stature and formidable presence. Scripture identifies his three sons—Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai (Numbers 13:22)—through whom the lineage continued. Hebron, formerly called Kiriath Arba, is repeatedly linked to both Anak and his father Arba (Joshua 15:13).

Geographical Setting

Every occurrence of the name Anak is tied to the hill-country around Hebron in southern Canaan. This strategic region became the focus of the spies’ reconnaissance, Caleb’s inheritance, and Judah’s territorial consolidation. By embedding Anak’s memory in Hebron, Scripture highlights how the very heartland of the Anakim became a testimony to the fulfillment of divine promise.

Biblical Narrative Overview

1. Reconnaissance and Fear (Numbers 13). The spies’ report magnified the physical stature of Anak’s descendants:

“We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight” (Numbers 13:33).

Their exaggerated comparison fostered national discouragement and unbelief.
2. Divine Assurance (Deuteronomy 9:2). Before Israel crossed the Jordan, Moses reminded them that the Anakim, though “strong and tall,” would fall because “the Lord your God Himself will go before you.”
3. Caleb’s Conquest (Joshua 15:13-14; Judges 1:20). Caleb, whose faith had never wavered, received Hebron and “drove out from there the three sons of Anak.” The most daunting obstacle became the trophy of steadfast trust.
4. Priestly Possession (Joshua 21:11). After conquest, Hebron—with fields once controlled by Anak’s line—was granted to the Levites, illustrating total transition from fearsome enemy stronghold to center of worship.

Theological Themes

• Faith versus Fear: Anak and his sons symbolize the giants every generation encounters. Israel’s first reaction was intimidation; Caleb’s response was confidence in God’s promise.
• Covenant Fulfillment: The removal of Anak’s lineage from Hebron demonstrates God’s faithfulness to Abraham’s descendants regarding the land.
• Reversal of Power: What once epitomized human strength becomes a stage for divine supremacy when dedicated to priestly service.

Lessons for Faith and Ministry

• Obstacles often appear “larger than life,” yet they fall to persevering faith. Caleb claimed the very territory others dreaded.
• Spiritual leadership must model courage; Moses, Joshua, and Caleb kept God’s pledge before the people until fulfillment.
• Places of former bondage or fear can become centers of blessing and ministry when surrendered to the Lord.

Intertextual Connections and Later Tradition

The Anakim are grouped with other oversized peoples such as the Rephaim (Deuteronomy 2:10-11), linking Anak to a broader biblical motif of giant opponents. While Goliath is never called a son of Anak, the echo of towering adversaries persists into David’s era, emphasizing an enduring theme: divine victory over intimidating powers.

Selected Biblical References

Numbers 13:22; Numbers 13:28; Numbers 13:33

Deuteronomy 9:2

Joshua 15:13; Joshua 15:14

Joshua 21:11

Judges 1:20

Forms and Transliterations
הָֽעֲנ֛וֹק הָֽעֲנָ֖ק הָעֲנָ֑ק הָעֲנָ֖ק הָעֲנָֽק׃ הענוק הענק הענק׃ עֲנָ֖ק עֲנָֽק׃ ענק ענק׃ ‘ă·nāq ‘ănāq aNak hā‘ănāq hā‘ănōwq hā·‘ă·nāq hā·‘ă·nō·wq haaNak haaNok
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Numbers 13:22
HEB: וְתַלְמַ֔י יְלִידֵ֖י הָעֲנָ֑ק וְחֶבְר֗וֹן שֶׁ֤בַע
NAS: the descendants of Anak were. (Now Hebron
KJV: the children of Anak, [were]. (Now Hebron
INT: and Talmai the descendants of Anak Hebron seven

Numbers 13:28
HEB: וְגַם־ יְלִדֵ֥י הָֽעֲנָ֖ק רָאִ֥ינוּ שָֽׁם׃
NAS: we saw the descendants of Anak there.
KJV: the children of Anak there.
INT: and moreover the descendants of Anak saw there

Numbers 13:33
HEB: הַנְּפִילִ֛ים בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָ֖ק מִן־ הַנְּפִלִ֑ים
NAS: (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim);
KJV: the sons of Anak, [which come] of the giants:
INT: the Nephilim sons of Anak at the Nephilim

Deuteronomy 9:2
HEB: לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָֽק׃
NAS: before the sons of Anak?'
KJV: before the children of Anak!
INT: before the sons of Anak

Joshua 15:13
HEB: אַרְבַּ֛ע אֲבִ֥י הָעֲנָ֖ק הִ֥יא חֶבְרֽוֹן׃
NAS: [Arba being] the father of Anak (that is, Hebron).
KJV: the father of Anak, which [city is] Hebron.
INT: Kiriath-arba the father of Anak which Hebron

Joshua 15:14
HEB: שְׁלוֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הָעֲנָ֑ק אֶת־ שֵׁשַׁ֤י
NAS: sons of Anak: Sheshai
KJV: sons of Anak, Sheshai,
INT: the three sons of Anak Sheshai and Ahiman

Joshua 15:14
HEB: תַּלְמַ֔י יְלִידֵ֖י הָעֲנָֽק׃
NAS: and Talmai, the children of Anak.
KJV: and Talmai, the children of Anak.
INT: and Talmai the children of Anak

Joshua 21:11
HEB: אַרְבַּ֨ע אֲבִ֧י הָֽעֲנ֛וֹק הִ֥יא חֶבְר֖וֹן
NAS: [Arba being] the father of Anak (that is, Hebron),
KJV: the father of Anak, which [city is] Hebron,
INT: Kiriath-arba the father of Anak which Hebron

Judges 1:20
HEB: שְׁלֹשָׁ֖ה בְּנֵ֥י הָעֲנָֽק׃
NAS: the three sons of Anak.
KJV: thence the three sons of Anak.
INT: the three sons of Anak

9 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6061
9 Occurrences


‘ă·nāq — 2 Occ.
hā·‘ă·nāq — 6 Occ.
hā·‘ă·nō·wq — 1 Occ.

6060
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