Anak, Anakim

The son of Arba (Josh 15:13; 21:11), and a nation of giants who lived in Canaan before the Israelites. The city of Hebron owed its ancient name of Kirjath Arba to Arba "who was the greatest man among the Anakim" (Josh 14:15). The Anakim left a strong impression on the spies sent by Moses to explore the promised land, as reflected in their alarming report: "We were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Num 13:28, 32-33; Deut 2:21; 9:2). Most references to the Anakim in the Bible are connected with the southern part of the land of Israel, especially the Hebron region, which was then inhabited by Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak (Num 13:22; Josh 15:14). They were driven out by Caleb (Josh 15:13-14), but in the summary of Joshua's conquest it is said that, although defeated, a remnant of the Anakim remained in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod (Josh 11:21-22).

Concordance
Num 13:22,28, 33. Deut 1:28; 2:10-11,21; 9:2. Josh 11:21-22; 14:12, 15; 15:13-14; 21:11. Judg 1:20