Bible Figure
Anak
figure in the Hebrew Bible whose descendants are mentioned in the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites
Anak was the ancestral figure associated with the Anakim, a people remembered for great stature in the land of Canaan.
Biography
Numbers and Joshua refer to the descendants of Anak, or Anakim, especially in the hill country around Hebron. The spies sent by Moses reported seeing descendants of Anak and were frightened by their size, contributing to Israel's refusal to enter the land. Joshua later cut off the Anakim from much of the hill country, while Caleb drove out Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, described as descendants of Anak, from Hebron. Scripture gives little direct personal biography of Anak himself; most references concern his descendants.
Biblical Significance
Anak is significant chiefly as the ancestor or namesake of the Anakim, whose intimidating presence became a test of Israel's faith in God's promise. The entry should distinguish the individual ancestor from the people descended from him.