What do we know about the Anakim?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Anakim are first introduced in the Old Testament as a race of giants descended from Anak, inhabiting the land of Canaan before the arrival of the Israelites. Notoriously tall and strong, they were linked with the Nephilim, a mysterious group of giants who pre-dated the flood (Genesis 6:4). When the Israelite spies explored Canaan, they reported feeling like "grasshoppers" in comparison to these giants (Numbers 13:33), instilling fear among the people. Despite their intimidating appearance and reputation, God instructed the Israelites through Moses not to fear them (Deuteronomy 1:21). Ultimately, under Joshua's leadership, the Anakim were largely defeated and driven out of their strongholds like Hebron, although remnants persisted in Philistine cities such as Gaza and Gath (Joshua 11:21–22).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Anakim are described as coming from the Nephilim, which emphasizes their imposing stature and fearsome nature (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33).
• Their reputation was such that other regional tribes were also compared to them in terms of size and strength, such as the Emim in Deuteronomy 2:10.
• When the twelve spies of Israel investigated the Promised Land, they reported, "And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them" (Numbers 13:33). Everyone feared the Anakim except Caleb and Joshua. Only Caleb and Joshua would survive from among those twenty years old or older from the time of leaving Egypt to entering the Promised Land forty years later.
• Despite their daunting presence, the Anakim were defeated in several key battles during the Israelite conquest of Canaan. God called Joshua to remove the Anakim from the land, and he did. This showcased God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel (Joshua 11:21–22).
• After being driven out of most of their land, remnants of the Anakim survived in Philistine cities, linking them to other giants like Goliath encountered later by David (Joshua 11:22; 1 Samuel 17:4; 2 Samuel 21:15–22).
• The ancestry of the Anakim was noted as being related to Anak the son of Arba (Joshua 15:13). "Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim" (Joshua 14:15).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament does not directly mention the Anakim.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The story of the Anakim serves as a reminder that God can and does overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Our personal struggles like illness, financial hardship, or relational conflicts, or even bigger societal issues like injustice, poverty, and corruption, can feel insurmountable. Just as the Israelites faced the literal giant Anakim, armed with God's promises and under His guidance, believers today are called to confront their challenges with the assurance that no obstacle is too great for God.

The initial fear and reluctance of the Israelites to enter the Promised Land remind us of the paralysis that fear can induce. The eventual defeat of the Anakim reassures us that God is a deliverer and defender of His people. When faced with the giant Goliath, David proclaimed that "the battle is the Lord's" (1 Samuel 17:47). Believers today are equipped with the armor of God to stand firm in the midst of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10–18), knowing that victory comes through Him.

We should reflect on our personal "giants" and trust in God's power and promises. With Him, we're able to boldly face the challenges of life.

UNDERSTAND

• The Anakim came from the Nephilim.
• The Anakim were huge in size and strength.
• The Israelites were called to remove the Anakim from the land of Canaan.

REFLECT

• What do you learn about humanity by the way we typically respond in fear or despair, like most of the Israelites did, to “giants” in our lives?
• How do you struggle with fear or reluctance to trust God when confronted with daunting obstacles or opportunities?
• How can the story of the Anakim serve as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness in your life?

ENGAGE

• The Nephilim are a strange but fascinating part of God’s redemptive story. They are a reminder that we do not battle with flesh and blood but that there is a spiritual reality occurring. Why would the evil forces of darkness want to come against the Israelites?
• How do you see parallels between the struggles of the Israelites with the Anakim and the challenges people face today?
• How are we to live like Joshua and Caleb did, trusting in God, instead of as the other Israelites who feared and missed out on the promise God had for them?