Anath is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Judges as the father of Shamgar, one of the judges of Israel. The reference to Anath is brief, yet it provides insight into the lineage and background of Shamgar, who played a significant role in delivering Israel from its oppressors.

Biblical Reference:
The primary mention of Anath is found in Judges 3:31 : "After Ehud came Shamgar son of Anath. He struck down six hundred Philistines with an oxgoad, and he too saved Israel." This verse highlights Shamgar's remarkable feat and introduces Anath as his father, though no further details about Anath are provided in the biblical text.

Historical and Cultural Context:
The name Anath is of particular interest due to its association with a Canaanite deity. Anath was a prominent goddess in the ancient Near Eastern pantheon, often depicted as a warrior and associated with love and war. This connection has led some scholars to speculate about the cultural and religious influences present in the region during the time of the Judges. However, the biblical text does not provide any indication that Anath, the father of Shamgar, was directly linked to the worship of this deity.

Role in the Narrative:
Anath's significance in the biblical narrative is primarily through his son, Shamgar. As a judge, Shamgar's actions are briefly recorded, yet they demonstrate the ongoing cycle of deliverance that characterizes the Book of Judges. Shamgar's victory over the Philistines with an oxgoad, a simple agricultural tool, underscores the theme of God using unexpected means and individuals to achieve His purposes for Israel.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the mention of Anath and his son Shamgar serves to illustrate the diverse backgrounds from which God raises leaders for His people. Despite the limited information about Anath, the account of Shamgar's deliverance of Israel emphasizes God's sovereignty and the empowerment of individuals to fulfill His divine plan, regardless of their lineage or the brevity of their recorded deeds.

Conclusion:
While Anath himself is not a central figure in the biblical narrative, his mention as the father of Shamgar provides a glimpse into the familial and cultural backdrop of one of Israel's judges. The account of Shamgar, though concise, contributes to the overarching theme of God's deliverance and the unexpected ways in which He accomplishes His purposes through His chosen leaders.Judges 3:31
And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad: and he also delivered Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

6067. Anath -- father of Shamgar
... 6066, 6067. Anath. 6068 . father of Shamgar. Transliteration: Anath
Phonetic Spelling: (an-awth') Short Definition: Anath. Word ...
/hebrew/6067.htm - 6k

Women who Saved a Nation
... Now Heber the Kenite had left the Kenites, the children of Jethro the father-in-
law of Moses, and had pitched ... In the days of Anath's son, Shamgar, In Jael's ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/women who saved a nation.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, In the ... ancient songs, but also a large body
of oral traditions which had long been handed down from father to son ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The father-in-law ... of anxiety to the masters of the coast, and there is but a bare
reference to the exploits of a certain Shamgar, son of Anath, who "smote ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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