Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 13:22
And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, [were]. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
22. the children of Anak ] lit. ‘the sons of neck,’ a Heb. idiom for the long-necked people. The natives of the Negeb were very tall and lanky. It is very improbable that Anak was thought of as a proper name of an individual. In Deut. the expression is mostly ‘sons of Anakim’ (plural). The tradition of a race of giants would easily grow up if the natives, as a whole, were taller than the Israelites. Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai are probably the names of three clans.
Now Hebron &c.] The date of the first building of Zoan (Tanis) is unknown, but was earlier than 2000 b.c. Perhaps the reference is to the re-building of it, which took place at the beginning of the 19th dynasty, i.e. shortly before the Exodus.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The progenitor of the Anakim was Arba the father of Anak Jos 15:13, from whom the city of Hebron took its name of Kirjath-Arba. Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai were probably not individual warriors, but names of three tribes of the Anakim. Hence, we find them still in existence half a century later, when Caleb, who now brought tidings of them, became their eventual destroyer Jos 15:14.
Now Hebron … – This parenthesis explains that these two cities had a common founder, and were built, or perhaps, at least in the case of Zoan (Tanis, see Exo 1:8, note; Exo 2:5, note) rebuilt, by the Hyksos, to which nations, once the conquerors of Egypt, the Anakim perhaps belonged. The Hyksos fortified and garrisoned Zoan as a defense of their Eastern frontier.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.] The Zoan of the Scriptures is allowed to be the Tanis of the heathen historians, which was the capital of Lower Egypt. Some think it was to humble the pride of the Egyptians, who boasted the highest antiquity, that this note concerning the higher antiquity of Hebron was introduced by Moses. Some have supposed that it is more likely to have been originally a marginal note, which in process of time crept into the text; but all the versions and all the MSS. that have as yet been collated, acknowledge it.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Here Moses having generally described their process and course from south to north, now returns more particularly to relate some memorable places and passages, as that having entered the land in the southern parts, they travelled then till they came to
Hebron. Came, Heb. he came, to wit, Caleb, as appears from Jos 14:9,12,14; for, as was now intimated, the spies distributed their work among them, and went either severally, or by pairs: and, it seems, the survey of this part was left to Caleb.
Anak; a famous giant so called, whose children these are called, either more generally, as all giants sometimes were, or rather more specially, because Arba, from whom Hebron was called Kirjath-arba, was the father of Anak, Jos 15:13. And this circumstance is mentioned as an evidence of the goodness of that land and soil, because the giants chose it for their habitation.
Before Zoan in Egypt: this seems to be noted to confront the Egyptians, who vainly boasted of the antiquity of their city Zoan above all places.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
22. unto Hebronsituated inthe heart of the mountains of Judah, in the southern extremity ofPalestine. The town or “cities of Hebron,” as it isexpressed in the Hebrew, consists of a number of sheikdomsdistinct from each other, standing at the foot of one of those hillsthat form a bowl round and enclose it. “The children of Anak”mentioned in this verse seem to have been also chiefs of townships;and this coincidence of polity, existing in ages so distant from eachother, is remarkable [VEREMONRO]. Hebron (KirjathArba, Ge 23:2) was one of theoldest cities in the world.
Zoan(the Tanis of theGreeks) was situated on one of the eastern branches of the Nile, nearthe lake Menzala, and was the early royal residence of the Pharaohs.It boasted a higher antiquity than any other city in Egypt. Its name,which signifies flat and level, is descriptive of its situation inthe low grounds of the Delta.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they ascended by the south,…. When they returned, after they had searched the land, then they came into the south country again, which was in their way to Kadesh, where the camp of Israel remained; they are said to ascend, because of the hill country they again came to; for their coming to Hebron, and carrying a cluster of grapes from that place, not far from thence, was upon their return:
and came unto Hebron; which was in the hill country of Judea, in the tribe of Judah afterwards, which before was called Kirjatharba; in the original text it is, “he came” s, Caleb, and he only, according to Jarchi and the Rabbins in Abendana; and certain it is that he was there, and he had this place on which his feet trod given him for an inheritance, Jos 14:9; and it is very probable that the spies did not go together, but perhaps singly, and at most but two together, which seems to be the case here by what follows:
where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, [were]; where Anak, and these his three sons, dwelt, who were giants; and perhaps from thence Hebron before this was called Kirjatharbah, “the city of the four”; or from Arba, the father of Anak:
now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt; or Tanais, as the Targum of Jonathan, whence one of the nomes of Egypt was called the Tanitic nome: it was the metropolis of that country, and may be observed, to abate the pride and vanity of that kingdom, which boasted of its antiquity. Josephus says t, that the inhabitants of Hebron not only reckoned it more ancient than any of the cities of the land, but than Memphis in Egypt, accounting it (then in his time) 2300 years old; but who it was built by is not certain; Jarchi thinks it is possible that Ham built Hebron for Canaan his younger son, before he built Zoan for Mizraim his eldest son; which does not seem likely.
s “et venit”, Montanus, Tigurine version, Drusius, so Onkelos; “et venit Caleb”, Junius & Tremellius. t De Bello Jud. l. 5. c. 9. sect. 7.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
22. And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron. Their direct course was not, indeed, towards the south, but they proceeded along the southern border, until they came to Rehob and Hamath, after having passed the mountains. Hebron, however, in which Abraham had sojourned, is specified from amongst the other cities; and it is probable that the three sons of the giant, who are here named, were in possession of that city. But some think that Anak is not a proper name, and is used, by enallage of the number, for giants. In fact, giants are elsewhere called Anakim. Nor is there any doubt but that these three, who are mentioned, were formidable from their great stature and strength, as we gather from the book of Joshua. It is, then, equivalent to saying that this city was then possessed by warlike men, famous for their prowess. It will, however, appear from the end of the chapter, that Anak was the proper name of a man, whose sons were of excessive height. The antiquity of the city is afterwards signalized by comparison, viz., that it was founded seven years before Zoan, one of the chief cities of Egypt, and of which mention is often made in Scripture. Heathen writers call it Tanis; (50) and it is situated on one of the seven famous mouths of the Nile, which is called from the city, Ostium Taniticum. Now, since the Egyptians gloried in their antiquity above all other nations, it is evident that the land of Canaan was well peopled immediately after the deluge; and this is a sign of its great fertility, for if the neighboring countries had been more so, they would. not have settled themselves there by preference, when they were at liberty to make their choice. A prolepsis is to be noted in the name of the valley of Eshcol: for it was afterwards that it began to be so called by the Israelites in memory of the remarkable cluster of grapes which Moses states to have been brought from hence; and this is immediately after specified,
(50) Thus the word is translated by the LXX. See note on Psa 78:0. — C. Soc. Edit. Vol. 3 p. 239.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) And they ascended by the south, and came.The latter verb is in the singular number in the Hebrew text: he came. It is quite possible that the twelve spies may not always have been together, and that one only may have gone to Hebron.
Animan, Sheshai, and Talmai.Some suppose these to be the names of tribes, not of individuals. It is quite possible, however, that the same individuals may have been still alive when the city of Hebron was assigned to Caleb, about fifty years later, and when he drove out these three sons of Anak (Jos. 15:14).
The children of Anak.Better, the children of the Anakim. (Comp. Deu. 1:28; Deu. 9:2.) When Anak, as an individual, is mentioned, as in Num. 13:33, the article is omitted.
Before Zoan in Egypt.Zoan, or Tanis, on the eastern bank of the Tanitic arm of the Nile, appears to have been the residence of Pharaoh in the days of Moses (Psa. 78:12). Hebron was in existence in the days of Abraham (Gen. 13:18; Gen. 23:2, &c.).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. By the south See Num 13:17, note. They descended by Hebron and explored the route into the Negeb, or South, (properly capitalized by the R.V.,) by the western edge of the mountains. In one of these extensive valleys perhaps in Wady Hanein, where miles of grape mounds even now meet the eye they cut the gigantic cluster of grapes.
Hebron An ancient city twenty miles south of Jerusalem, described in Jos 10:3, note. “It is plausibly conjectured that on leaving the wilderness of Paran they first entered the Negeb, or South-Country, and passed up the eastern side of the land ‘unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath,’ in the extreme north, and then descended along the central and western slopes, and from the valley of Eshcol (Hebron) bore the grapes, pomegranates, and figs, and so brought verbal and tangible report of the country. This is the most satisfactory way of explaining the seeming contradiction in the account as given in Num 13:21-22.” Ridgaway.
The children of Anak A race of giants in stature (Anak literally signifying long-necked) and strength. Anak is regarded as the name of a race rather than that of an individual. Of this race there were near Hebron three tribes, whose chiefs were Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai. “That there were in times past men of extraordinary size is a tradition wonderfully prevalent to this day all over the East. It not only runs through legendary lore, but is embodied in numerous monuments of a more substantial character. The truth appears to be that there were amongst the governing races of primitive times certain families of great stature. This peculiarity was carefully perpetuated and increased by such marriage restrictions as tended to that result, and something similar has been found amongst the inhabitants of the Pacific islands.” W.M. Thomson. Notwithstanding their terrific aspect they were dispossessed by Joshua and utterly driven from the land, except a small remnant of refugees to Philistia, who were, perhaps, the ancestors of Goliath of Gath. Jos 11:21-22. Their chief city, Hebron, fell to the lot of Caleb, who drove out the three tribes of the Anakim. Jos 15:14. Zoan in Egypt was situated on the eastern border of the Nile delta. Its classical name was Tanis, and its Egyptian name Avaris, “departure,” the point of departure for caravans going north and east. It is supposed to have been seized by the shepherd kings about 2080 B.C., and to have been made the seat of their dynasty in Lower Egypt. Here, according to the Egyptian records, they built a temple to Set, the Egyptian Baal, and reigned 511 years. The past few years have been rich in discoveries of historical value in San, the site of ancient Zoan. Obelisks, sphinxes, sculptures, and historical tablets attest its former magnificence. The connexion here of Hebron with Zoan suggests that the founders of both cities were of the same race. It is evident that the writer was well versed in Egyptian history.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 13:22. And came unto Hebron See Gen 13:18. The clause respecting Hebron in this verse appears to be thrown in to humble the pride of the Egyptians, who boasted themselves as the first of mortals, and their nation as of the greatest antiquity; see Eze 29:3. Diod. Sic. lib. i. Justin, lib. ii. c. 1.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Num 13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, [were]. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
Ver. 22. Was built seven years before Zoan. ] And so was one of the ancientest cities of the world, seeing it did contend with the ancientest and chiefest city of Egypt. Isa 19:11 Hebron signifies an association: there lay buried those three reverend couples, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Leah. Gen 23:19 ; Gen 35:27-29 Here David began his reign over Israel, 2Sa 2:1 and hither came Mary to visit Elizabeth. Luk 1:39
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
south = the Negeb. Compare Gen 12:9; Gen 13:1).
Hebron. Ancient name, Kirjath-arba (or stronghold of Arba) (Gen 23:2, Gen 23:19), because built by Anak and the sons of Arba. Jos 14:15; Jos 15:13. The Tel-el-Amarna Tablets show that certain bands of Hittite condottieri are called “Khabiri”, or “allies” (hence the name Hebron, which means “confederacy”, or friendship, which is not met with till Ramases II), captured Kirjath-Arba. Ebed-Tob, king of Jerusalem (see note on Gen 14:18), in his letters to Pharaoh frequently mentions these Khabiri (or confederates of Amorites and Hittites). God’s confederacy with His people in Christ was “before the foundation of the world”. Before Zoan the city of the wise was known.
Ahiman. Driven out by Caleb. Jos 15:13, Jos 15:14. Slain by Judah. Jdg 1:10.
children of Anak = home-born persons: usually of slaves. These were the result of a second irruption of the fallen angels. See Gen 6:4, “after that”. These are called “Nephilim” in Num 13:33. See App-23and App-25. The name “Anak” occurs here, and verses: Num 13:28, Num 13:33. Deu 9:2. Jos 15:14.
built: i.e. rebuilt (banah frequently has this meaning). Compare Jos 6:26. 1Ki 16:34. 2Ki 14:22. Isa 44:28. Amo 9:14.
seven years before Zoan in Egypt. Built by the first kings of the nineteenth dynasty (see App-37). Ramases II made it his capital, compare Isa 30:4 (and is the first to mention Hebron). Zoan was the scene of the Exodus (see Psa 78:12, Psa 78:13), and “the house of bondage”
Zoan. See note on Exo 1:10.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Ahiman: Jos 11:21, Jos 11:22, Jos 15:13, Jos 15:14, Jdg 1:10
the children: Num 13:33
Hebron: Gen 13:18, Gen 23:2, Jos 14:13-15, Jos 21:13, 2Sa 2:1, 2Sa 2:11
Zoan: Psa 78:12, Psa 78:43, Isa 19:11, Isa 30:4
Reciprocal: Gen 37:14 – Hebron Num 13:17 – southward Num 13:28 – saw the Num 21:1 – the way of the spies Deu 2:11 – as the Anakims Deu 9:1 – cities Jos 10:3 – Hebron Jos 10:36 – Hebron Jos 14:9 – General Jdg 1:20 – the three sons 1Ch 11:1 – Hebron 2Ch 11:10 – Hebron Eze 30:14 – Zoan
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 13:22. By the south Moses having described their progress from south to north, more particularly relates some memorable places and passages. They came Hebrew, He came; namely, Caleb, as appears from Jos 14:9; Jos 14:12; Jos 14:14. For the spies distributed their work among them, and went either severally, or by pairs; and it seems the survey of this part was left to Caleb. Anak A famous giant, whose children these are called, either more generally, as all giants sometimes were, or rather more specially because Arbah, from whom Hebron was called Kiriath-arbah, was the father of Anak, Jos 15:13. And this circumstance is mentioned as an evidence of the goodness of that land, because the giants chose it for their habitation. Before Zoan This seems to be noted to confront the Egyptians, who vainly boasted of the antiquity of their city Zoan above all places.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
13:22 And they ascended by the south, and came unto Hebron; where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of {f} Anak, [were].
(Now {g} Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
(f) Which were a type of giant.
(g) Declaring the antiquity of it: also Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob were buried there.