The Definition of the word Anakim

Anakim

The descendants of Anak (Josh. 11:21; Num. 13:33; Deut. 9:2). "They dwelt in the south of Palestine, in the neighbourhood of" Hebron (Gen. 23:2; Josh. 15:13). In the days of Abraham (Gen. "14:5, 6) they inhabited the region afterwards known as Edom and" "Moab, east of the Jordan. They were probably a remnant of the" "original inhabitants of Palestine before the Canaanites, a" "Cushite tribe from Babel, and of the same race as the" Phoenicians and the Egyptian shepherd kings. Their formidable "warlike appearance, as described by the spies sent to search the" "land, filled the Israelites with terror. They seem to have" "identified them with the Nephilim, the "giants" (Gen. 6:4; Num." 13:33) of the antediluvian age. There were various tribes of Anakim (Josh. 15:14). Joshua finally expelled them from the "land, except a remnant that found a refuge in the cities of" "Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod (Josh. 11:22). The Philistine giants whom" David encountered (2 Sam. 21:15-22) were descendants of the Anakim. (See [21]GIANTS.)