Word Study for H6059 (עָנַק) | Strong's Concordance

ʻânaq /aw-nak'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningproperly, to choke; used only as denominative from עָנָק,; to collar, i.e. adorn with anecklace; figuratively, to fit out with supplies

KJV usagecompass about as a chain, furnish, liberally.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻânaq — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻânaq, represented by H6059, is a primitive root that properly means to choke. From this concept, it is used to mean to collar, adorn with a necklace, or to compass about as a chain. Figuratively, it also means to fit out with supplies or to furnish liberally. It appears 3 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The biblical usage of H6059 presents two starkly different applications. In Psalms 73:6, it is used in a negative, figurative sense to describe the wicked, stating that pride H1346 "compasseth them about as a chain." This suggests that their arrogance acts as a suffocating collar. In contrast, Deuteronomy 15:14 uses the word twice in a positive and literal command regarding a freed servant: "Thou shalt furnish him liberally." Here, the word conveys an instruction for abundant, generous provision.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the dual contexts of H6059:

H1346 gaʼăvâh (arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament; excellency, haughtiness, highness, pride, proudly, swelling): This is the specific "chain" that compasses the wicked in Psalms 73:6, directly linking the act of being collared by H6059 to the sin of pride.
H2555 châmâç (violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain): In the same verse, violence H2555 is said to cover the proud like a garment, showing that the inner state of being chained by pride results in outward acts of injustice Psalms 73:6.
H1288 bârak (a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit)): This word provides the context for the positive use of H6059. The command to "furnish liberally" in Deuteronomy 15:14 is possible because it comes from that which the LORD H3068 has first blessed.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6059 lies in its contrasting applications, highlighting core spiritual principles.

The Bondage of Pride: The use in Psalms 73:6 illustrates that pride is not a source of strength but a form of self-imposed bondage. It is a chain that chokes the person and leads directly to acts of violence H2555.
The Law of Generosity: Deuteronomy 15:14 elevates generosity to a divine command. To "furnish liberally" is to reflect the character of God, who provides abundantly. It is an act of bestowing honor and substance upon another.
Divine Blessing as the Source: The instruction to furnish others is rooted in the recognition of God's own provision. Believers are called to give generously because the LORD H3068 their God H430 has blessed H1288 them, making generosity an act of faithful stewardship Deuteronomy 15:14.

Summary

In summary, H6059 is a powerful word whose meaning is defined by its context. Rooted in the idea of a collar or chain, it is used to illustrate two opposing paths. It can represent the suffocating bondage of pride that entraps the wicked Psalms 73:6, or it can describe the liberating, life-giving act of generously furnishing others from the abundance God has provided Deuteronomy 15:14. The word thus serves as a sharp contrast between the constricting nature of sin and the freeing power of God-ordained generosity.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 3 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

תַּעֲנִיק
הַעֲנֵיק
עֲנָקַתְ

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Deuteronomy and Psalms (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

Deuteronomy

Psalms

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.