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Anah

biblical_person theological_term standard

Anah is an Old Testament personal name borne by more than one individual, especially in Edomite and Horite genealogies.

At a Glance

Anah is a biblical personal name, not a doctrine or theological concept. The name appears in Old Testament genealogies and narrative notes associated with the Edomites and Horites.

Key Points

Description

Anah is an Old Testament personal name found in genealogical and family records, especially in connection with the Horites and the descendants related to Esau. Scripture identifies more than one person by this name, and the relevant passages include family-line notices in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1. One Genesis passage also contains a difficult expression that has prompted different translations, so the detail should be handled carefully. Since Anah is not primarily a doctrinal or theological concept, it belongs in a biblical-person category rather than a theological-term category.

Biblical Context

Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 preserve family records that trace lines connected with Seir, the Horites, and Edom. In that setting, Anah appears as part of the historical framework surrounding Esau’s descendants and related peoples.

Historical Context

Biblical genealogies often served to identify clans, territorial relationships, and covenant-line history. Anah’s appearance in these lists reflects the historical and family-based way Scripture records people and peoples.

Jewish and Ancient Context

Ancient Israelite genealogies were not mere name lists; they preserved family identity, inheritance lines, and regional associations. A name like Anah may recur within related kinship records, requiring careful contextual reading.

Primary Key Texts

Secondary Key Texts

Original Language Note

Hebrew: עֲנָה ('Anah), a personal name.

Theological Significance

Anah itself is not a doctrine, but the entry illustrates how Scripture anchors theology in real people, families, and historical records.

Philosophical Explanation

As a proper name, Anah functions historically rather than conceptually. Its significance comes from the biblical witness to real persons and identifiable family lines.

Interpretive Cautions

Do not assume every occurrence refers to the same individual. The Genesis and Chronicles passages must be read in context, and one note in Genesis 36 involves a translation question that should be handled modestly.

Major Views

Interpreters generally agree that Anah is a personal name. Discussion centers on identifying which Anah is in view in each passage and how best to render the disputed expression in Genesis 36:24.

Doctrinal Boundaries

This entry should not be used to construct doctrine. It is a historical-person name entry only.

Practical Significance

Anah reminds readers to read biblical genealogies carefully and to value the historical detail preserved in Scripture.

Related Entries

See Also

Data

Machine-readable JSON for Anah

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