Original Word: עֲנָקִי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: `Anaqiy
Pronunciation: ah-NAHK
Phonetic Spelling: (an-aw-kee')
KJV: Anakim
NASB: Anakim
Word Origin: [patronymically from H6061 (עָנָק - Anak)]

1. an Anakite or descendant of Anak

Anakim

Patronymically from Anaq; an Anakite or descendant of Anak -- Anakim.

see HEBREW Anaq

Word Origin
from the same as Anaq
Definition
"neck," a giant people around Hebron and in Philistia
NASB Translation
Anakim (9).

Overview

The עֲנָקִי (Anakim) are the descendants of Anak, a clan noted for extraordinary stature and strength. They appear at key junctures in Israel’s approach to, conquest of, and settlement in the land of Canaan, functioning as a living test of Israel’s faith in the covenant-keeping power of the LORD.

Canonical Distribution

The name occurs nine times: Deuteronomy 1:28; 2:10; 2:11; 2:21; 9:2; Joshua 11:21; 11:22; 14:12; 14:15. All references are clustered in the Deuteronomic-Joshua material that records Israel’s transition from wilderness wanderers to land-holders.

Origins and Lineage

Moses situates the Anakim among the Rephaim-type peoples:
• “They too were regarded as Rephaim, like the Anakim, but the Moabites called them Emim” (Deuteronomy 2:11).

This linkage places the Anakim within the broader biblical category of ancient giants, setting the stage for later Philistine figures such as Goliath of Gath (1 Samuel 17:4), for Gath is one of the final Anakite refuges (Joshua 11:22).

Geographical Footprint

Initially concentrated in the hill country of Judah—especially Hebron, Debir, and Anab (Joshua 11:21)—they also occupied coastal strongholds: “Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod” (Joshua 11:22). Their presence in both highland and lowland territories made them a ubiquitous obstacle to Israel’s inheritance.

Physical Stature and the Crisis of Faith

The Anakim’s size became the catalyst for Israel’s first great failure at Kadesh-barnea. The spies reported:

“The people are greater and taller than we are… we saw the descendants of the Anakim there” (Deuteronomy 1:28).

By magnifying the giants, Israel minimized God and incurred forty years of discipline. Thus the Anakim illustrate how sensory evidence can dominate a faithless heart.

Divine Assurance versus Human Intimidation

Before crossing the Jordan, Moses relativizes Anakite power:

“Who can stand against the sons of Anak?” (Deuteronomy 9:2)—a rhetorical question that segues into the affirmation, “But understand that today the LORD your God Himself goes before you as a consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 9:3). The text deliberately juxtaposes Anakite terror with divine omnipotence, teaching that Israel’s victory is covenant-grounded, not manpower-based.

Joshua’s Campaign and Partial Eradication

Joshua 11:21-22 narrates the systematic removal of Anakim from the hill country:

“At that time Joshua went and eliminated the Anakim… None of the Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites; only in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod did any survive”.

The conquest is credited to Joshua’s obedience to the LORD’s command, fulfilling earlier promises (Deuteronomy 7:1-2). Yet the survival of pockets on the Philistine plain foreshadows future conflicts with giant warriors during the monarchy (2 Samuel 21:15-22).

Caleb’s Personal Encounter

Caleb, the faithful spy, epitomizes covenant confidence. At eighty-five he requests the very region that had once intimidated Israel:

“Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me… the Anakim are there and their cities are large and fortified, but the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out” (Joshua 14:12).

His triumph at Hebron (Joshua 14:15) becomes an enduring testament that faith inherits what fear forfeits.

Theological Significance

1. God’s supremacy over imposing human powers: The Anakim personify an enemy too great for human strength, thereby magnifying the necessity of reliance on God.
2. Continuity of divine judgment: Their displacement mirrors earlier judgments on the Nephilim-linked giants before the flood (Genesis 6) and anticipates eschatological removal of all opposition to God’s kingdom.
3. Faith-obedience paradigm: Encounters with Anakim separate unbelief (Numbers 13’s majority report, echoed in Deuteronomy 1:28) from trust (Caleb and Joshua).

Practical Ministry Implications

• Spiritual “giants” still challenge God’s people—cultural pressures, personal sin, hostile ideologies. The Anakim narrative equips believers to respond in faith anchored in God’s promises.
• Leadership must frame obstacles through the lens of divine capability, not human limitation, modeling Moses’ and Caleb’s perspective rather than the demoralizing outlook of the ten spies.
• Corporate faithfulness impacts future generations; Israel’s delay cost an entire generation its inheritance, whereas Caleb’s persistence secured blessing for his descendants (Joshua 14:14).

Historical and Archaeological Notes

While extra-biblical confirmation remains limited, the Anakim’s localized presence in highland fortresses corresponds with Late Bronze Age occupation layers at Hebron (Tell Rumeideh), Debir (Khirbet Rabud), and Anab (Khirbet Ghwein). Their residual presence in Philistine cities aligns with the transitional movements of Sea Peoples who settled the coastal plain, offering a plausible cultural interface for later Philistine giants.

Summary

The Anakim stand as towering figures—literally and theologically—in Israel’s narrative. Their defeat underscores that the inheritance of God’s promises does not hinge on human stature but on steadfast trust in the LORD who “goes before you and will fight for you” (Deuteronomy 1:30).

בָּעֲנָקִ֖ים בענקים הָֽעֲנָקִים֙ הענקים כָּעֲנָקִ֑ים כָּעֲנָקִֽים׃ כענקים כענקים׃ עֲנָקִ֑ים עֲנָקִ֔ים עֲנָקִ֖ים עֲנָקִ֣ים ענקים ‘ă·nā·qîm ‘ănāqîm anaKim bā‘ănāqîm bā·‘ă·nā·qîm baanaKim hā‘ănāqîm hā·‘ă·nā·qîm haanaKim kā‘ănāqîm kā·‘ă·nā·qîm kaanaKimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts