Anah
Anah was a Horite, the father of Oholibamah, one of Esau's wives, and the discoverer of hot springs in the wilderness.
Biography
Anah was a Horite chieftain of Edomite territory, mentioned in Genesis 36 and 1 Chronicles 1 as the son of Zibeon and the father of Oholibamah, who became one of Esau's three wives. He is credited with a curious discovery noted in Genesis 36:24, he found "hot springs" (or, in older translations, "mules" or "water") in the wilderness while pasturing his father's donkeys. This detail, though brief, suggests Anah was a man of initiative and exploration. His daughter's marriage to Esau connected the Horite peoples with the line of Edom, contributing to the complex genealogical tapestry of the nations surrounding Israel.
Significance
Anah occupies a minor but historically interesting position in the patriarchal narrative. His genealogical connection to Esau through his daughter Oholibamah establishes the intertwining of the descendants of Abraham through both Jacob and Esau, reminding readers that God's purposes extend beyond the chosen line. The Edomites, descended from Esau, would maintain a complex, often antagonistic relationship with Israel throughout the Old Testament. Anah's brief reference to discovering something in the wilderness also reflects a common biblical motif: ordinary human activity and exploration taking place within the larger tapestry of God's providential ordering of the nations, even among those outside the covenant community.
Verse Appearances (10)
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]