Lexical Summary Anab: Anab Original Word: עֲנָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Anab From the same as enab; fruit; Anab, a place in Palestine -- Anab. see HEBREW enab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as enab Definition "grape," a place in the hill country of Judah NASB Translation Anab (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs עֲנָב proper name, of a location in hill-country of Judah Joshua 11:21; Joshua 15:50, Αναβ(ωθ), Ανωβ[ν], modern ±Anab, 18 2-Janmiles southwest from Hebron, BuhlGeogr. 164. Topical Lexicon Geographical Setting Anab was a hill-country town of Judah, situated southwest of Hebron and in proximity to Debir. Rising more than 800 meters above sea level, it overlooked the rugged Judean terrain that separates the Shephelah from the Negev. Most identify the site with modern Khirbet Anab (ʿAnab), where pottery from the Late Bronze and Iron Ages has been recovered, confirming habitation during the period of Joshua and the Judges. Biblical Occurrences • Joshua 11:21 records that Joshua “exterminated the Anakim from the hill country—from Hebron, Debir, Anab”. Although only these two explicit references name Anab, its placement alongside Hebron and Debir links it to major events in Israel’s conquest narrative. Historical Background 1. Conquest and Cleansing of the Land The Anakim were fear-inspiring giants who had earlier discouraged Israel at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 13:33). By singling out Anab with Hebron and Debir, Scripture highlights a decisive reversal: locations once associated with giant terror now testify to God’s faithfulness. The deliberate mention of Anab in the extermination list underscores the thoroughness of the campaign; no Anakite stronghold remained in Judah or Israel (Joshua 11:22). 2. Allocation to Judah In Joshua 15 the inspired author catalogues more than one hundred Judahite towns, creating a legal document of inheritance. Anab’s inclusion in the southern hill-country sector suggests it served as a rural settlement guarding routes from Hebron toward the Negev and Coastal Plain. Its inhabitants were expected to participate in Judah’s covenantal obligation to maintain purity and worship at the central sanctuary. Theological Themes • Triumph over Fear: The removal of the Anakim from Anab embodies the promise of Deuteronomy 11:25 that no man would stand against Israel when they walked in obedience. Lessons for Believers 1. Faith removes long-standing obstacles. Giants who once dominated the landscape were removed when God’s people acted on His Word. Archaeological and Later Tradition Explorers from the Palestine Exploration Fund in the nineteenth century described ancient walls and cisterns at Khirbet ʿAnab. Byzantine-era ceramics and burial chambers indicate continuous occupation well into Christian centuries, though the site never regained biblical prominence. The survival of the name ʿAnab preserves a linguistic link to its Old Testament heritage. Summary Anab, though mentioned only twice, contributes a vital thread in the tapestry of Israel’s conquest. Its transformation from an Anakite stronghold to a Judahite town proclaims God’s reliability, the completeness of His judgment, and the inclusiveness of His covenant blessings. Forms and Transliterations וַעֲנָ֥ב וענב עֲנָ֔ב ענב ‘ă·nāḇ ‘ănāḇ aNav vaaNav wa‘ănāḇ wa·‘ă·nāḇLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 11:21 HEB: דְּבִ֣ר מִן־ עֲנָ֔ב וּמִכֹּל֙ הַ֣ר NAS: from Debir, from Anab and from all KJV: from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains INT: Debir from Anab all country Joshua 15:50 2 Occurrences |
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