xlit ʻĂnâmîm corrected to ʻĂnâmîym; as if plural of some Egyptian word; Anamim, a son of Mizraim and his descendants, with their country; Anamim.
Transliteration:ʻĂnâmîym
Pronunciation:an-aw-meem'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עֲנָמִים (ʻĂnâmîym, `{{H6047}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a gentilic, designating a people group. According to Strong's Concordance, it is transliterated as 'Anamim' and is understood to be "as if plural of some Egyptian word." Its base definition identifies them as "a son of Mizraim and his descendants, with their country." This indicates that the word does not possess a broad semantic range but rather functions as a singular identifier for a specific lineage or tribe. Its etymological root, though suggested to be Egyptian, is not definitively known or provided, meaning the "meaning" is primarily its referent: the Anamim people themselves. Therefore, its core meaning is strictly nominative, pointing to a distinct ethno-geographical entity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻĂnâmîym (`{{H6047}}`) appears only twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times within the foundational genealogies that describe the peopling of the earth after the Flood, commonly known as the Table of Nations:
* [[Genesis 10:13]]: "Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,"
* [[1 Chronicles 1:11]]: "Mizraim begot Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim,"
In both instances, the Anamim are listed as one of the "sons" or descendant peoples of Mizraim (`{{H4714}}`), who is himself a son of Ham (`{{H2526}}`). This places the Anamim firmly within the Hamitic branch of humanity, specifically associated with Egypt. The context of these verses is a comprehensive, though selective, ethnographic survey, demonstrating the divinely ordered spread of nations across the earth. The inclusion of Anamim alongside other more prominent peoples (like the Ludim, Lehabim, and Naphtuhim) suggests they were recognized as a distinct, albeit perhaps less historically impactful, group within the ancient Near Eastern world as understood by the biblical authors. Their precise geographical location within Egypt or its sphere of influence remains a subject of scholarly debate outside the biblical text, but their inclusion in this seminal genealogy affirms their existence as a people known to the biblical tradition.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Mizraim (`{{H4714}}`):** The most direct conceptual link. Mizraim is the Hebrew name for Egypt, and the Anamim are explicitly identified as his descendants. This establishes their origin and primary cultural association.
* **Ham (`{{H2526}}`):** As a descendant of Mizraim, the Anamim are part of the broader Hamitic lineage, which includes peoples associated with Africa and regions south of Israel. This categorization is foundational to the biblical understanding of global ethnography.
* **Table of Nations (Genesis 10):** The Anamim are an integral part of this crucial biblical document. This "table" is not merely a historical record but a theological statement about the unity of humanity, its diversity, and its orderly dispersion under God's providence. Other "sons" of Mizraim listed alongside Anamim include Ludim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, Pathrusim, Casluhim (from whom the Philistines came), and Caphtorim (`{{H3708}}`). The grouping suggests a shared Egyptian origin or sphere of influence.
* **Genealogy:** The broader biblical concept of genealogies, which serve to establish lineage, demonstrate historical continuity, and ultimately trace the line of promise leading to the Messiah. The inclusion of all these peoples, even those like the Anamim who are mentioned only briefly, highlights the comprehensive scope of God's interaction with humanity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻĂnâmîym (`{{H6047}}`), despite its limited biblical occurrences, is profound when understood within the larger framework of the Table of Nations.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Nations:** The very existence of such detailed genealogies, including seemingly minor groups like the Anamim, underscores the biblical conviction that all peoples, tribes, and nations are part of God's created order. Their dispersion and distinct identities are not random but are under divine providence, demonstrating God's sovereign hand over human history from its earliest stages.
* **Unity and Diversity of Humanity:** The Anamim's inclusion highlights the biblical affirmation of both the singular origin of humanity (from Noah) and its subsequent diversification into distinct ethnic and national groups. This diversity is portrayed as an intentional aspect of God's creation, rather than a flaw.
* **Historical Veracity of Scripture:** The meticulous detail of the Table of Nations, which names specific peoples, even those whose extra-biblical identification remains elusive, speaks to the biblical writers' commitment to recording what they understood to be historical realities. The presence of the Anamim, however brief, lends credibility to the biblical account as a serious attempt to describe the ancient world and its inhabitants, inviting trust in the broader historical claims of Scripture.
* **Universal Scope of God's Plan:** While the biblical narrative primarily focuses on the lineage leading to Israel, the inclusion of all nations, even the obscure, subtly points to the universal scope of God's redemptive plan. Ultimately, God's blessings and purposes extend to "all the families of the earth" ([[Genesis 12:3]]), a concept foreshadowed by the comprehensive nature of the Table of Nations.
### Summary
The Hebrew term ʻĂnâmîym (`{{H6047}}`) refers to the Anamim, a specific people group listed as descendants of Mizraim (Egypt) in the Table of Nations ([[Genesis 10:13]] and [[1 Chronicles 1:11]]). As a proper noun, its meaning is solely its designation of this particular lineage. While their precise historical footprint beyond these two biblical mentions remains largely unknown, their inclusion is highly significant. They represent one of the many distinct peoples that arose from the Hamitic line, demonstrating the biblical account of humanity's spread after the Flood. Theologically, the Anamim's presence in the biblical genealogies underscores God's sovereign ordering of all nations, the inherent unity and divinely intended diversity of humanity, and the meticulous historical scope of the biblical narrative, which acknowledges even seemingly minor groups within its grand account of human origins and divine providence.
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