6067. Anath

Lexical Summary

Anath: Anath

Original Word: עֲנָת
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: `Anath
Pronunciation: ah-NAHT
Phonetic Spelling: (an-awth')
KJV: Anath
NASB: Anath
Word Origin: [from H6030 (עָנָה - To answer)]

1. answer
2. Anath, an Israelite

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Anath

From anah; answer; Anath, an Israelite -- Anath.

see HEBREW anah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
father of Shamgar
NASB Translation
Anath (2).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

עֲנָת proper name, masculine father of Shamgar Judges 3:31; Judges 5:6, Αναθ (Δειναχ, Κεναθ); — see also בֵּית עֲנוֺת, עֲנָת ׳ב (compare Tel Amarna proper name Anati, Wkl^{125, 43}; Assyrian proper name, of deities Anatu (Jastr^Rel. Babylonian 153; hence) in Syria and Phoenician — also Egypt — ענת (Muss-Arn^{JBL xi (1892), 80} Pietschm^{Phön. 149 f.} Hal^{JAssyrian 7, x (1877), 374}; xiii (1879), 208)).

Topical Lexicon

Occurrences and Narrative Setting

The name appears only twice, both in connection with Shamgar: Judges 3:31 and Judges 5:6. Each time it functions as a patronymic—“Shamgar son of Anath.” The verses bracket the brief ministry of a judge who “struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad” and “saved Israel” (Judges 3:31). The repetition in Deborah’s song (Judges 5:6) embeds the name within a poetic rehearsal of Israel’s deliverance.

Historical and Cultural Context

The period between Ehud and Deborah was one of social disorder and Philistine pressure. Roadways were abandoned and village life collapsed (Judges 5:6-7). Into this setting steps Shamgar, whose pedigree—signaled by “son of Anath”—suggests either:
• a literal father named Anath, or
• a clan or regional designation tied to Beth-Anath (Joshua 19:38), a fortified town in Naphtali.

The latter view aligns with the common ancient practice of linking a warrior to his place or patron deity, yet Scripture’s silence on the matter keeps the focus on Yahweh’s deliverance rather than on ancestry.

Possible Religious Background

Anath was also the name of a Canaanite warrior goddess. If the patronymic once carried pagan overtones, the biblical account demonstrates the Lord’s sovereignty in raising a deliverer irrespective of background. Just as Moses was educated in Pharaoh’s court and Daniel served in Babylon, so Shamgar—whatever his lineage—served the purposes of Israel’s covenant God.

Theological Themes

1. Divine Empowerment: Shamgar’s improvised weapon and swift victory highlight that salvation is “not by might nor by power” but by divine enablement.
2. God’s Use of Minority Figures: With only a single verse of narrative and one poetic allusion, both Shamgar and Anath remain minor characters, yet their legacy testifies that prominence in Scripture is measured by obedience, not volume of text.
3. Covenant Faithfulness Amid Syncretism: The presence of a name possibly linked to Canaanite worship underscores the Lord’s ability to preserve His people even when cultural lines blur.

Ministerial Implications

• Background does not disqualify service—heritage, education, or previous associations can be redeemed for God’s purposes.
• Leadership often emerges in crises; believers are called to readiness, even with ordinary tools (“oxgoads”) at hand.
• Brief acts of faithfulness can have generational impact, inspiring later leaders like Deborah and Barak.

Related Entries

Shamgar; Judges, Book of; Philistines; Beth-Anath

Forms and Transliterations

עֲנָ֔ת עֲנָת֙ ענת ‘ă·nāṯ ‘ănāṯ aNat

Englishman's Concordance

Judges 3:31
HEB: שַׁמְגַּ֣ר בֶּן־ עֲנָ֔ת וַיַּ֤ךְ אֶת־
NAS: the son of Anath, who struck down
KJV: the son of Anath, which slew
INT: Shamgar the son of Anath struck Philistines

Judges 5:6
HEB: שַׁמְגַּ֤ר בֶּן־ עֲנָת֙ בִּימֵ֣י יָעֵ֔ל
NAS: the son of Anath, In the days
KJV: the son of Anath, in the days
INT: of Shamgar the son of Anath the days of Jael

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 6067
2 Occurrences

‘ă·nāṯ — 2 Occ.