Anab

Anab is a town in the southern hill-country of Judah, named twice — once as one of the Anakim strongholds Joshua subdues, and once in the inheritance roster of Judah.

An Anakim Stronghold

In the summary of Joshua's southern campaign, Anab appears alongside Hebron and Debir as one of the hill-country towns from which the Anakim are driven out: "And Joshua came at that time, and cut off the Anakim from the hill-country, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the hill-country of Judah, and from all the hill-country of Israel: Joshua completely destroyed them with their cities" (Jos 11:21). The grouping with Hebron and Debir places Anab in the same upland zone south of Hebron.

A Town of Judah's Hill-Country

The same town reappears in the catalog of Judah's allotment, this time inside a short trio in the hill-country list: "and Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim," (Jos 15:50). Once cleared of the Anakim, Anab is held by Judah and registered alongside its neighboring hill-country settlements.