a.naq identifies the named ancestor whose sons are portrayed as a formidable people associated with Hebron.

The term most often functions as a proper name identifying the father or ancestor of named sons, especially in accounts concerning Hebron and Caleb's dispossession of those sons. In two occurrences it is morphologically tagged as a Gentilic in the expression “sons of Anak,” identifying the people encountered in the land.

1. Named father or ancestor of the sons · dominant

   The form is tagged Noun · Proper where the clauses identify figures as “sons of Anak” or call Kiriath-arba the father of Anak. In Joshua 15:14 the APB renders Caleb's action against “the three sons of Anak,” naming Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai; Joshua 15:13 and Joshua 21:11 connect Anak with Kiriath-arba, identified there as Hebron.

   Deuteronomy 9:2Joshua 15:13Joshua 15:14Joshua 21:11Judges 1:20Numbers 13:33
2. Gentilic designation in “sons of Anak” · occasional

   In Numbers 13:22 and Numbers 13:28 the form is tagged Noun · Gentilic · Masc · Sg · Absolute within the phrase “sons of Anak.” The APB presents these sons as living near Hebron in Numbers 13:22 and as seen among the strong inhabitants of the land in Numbers 13:28.

   Numbers 13:22Numbers 13:28

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the name through the phrase “sons of Anak,” and in Joshua 15:13 and Joshua 21:11 through “father of Anak.” In Numbers 13:22 and Numbers 13:28 it likewise uses “sons of Anak” for the Gentilic-tagged forms; these are verse-level renderings rather than definitions.