Interesting Facts

• Anah is identified as one of the sons of Seir the Horite, who were inhabitants of the land of Seir.
• Anah is listed as one of the dukes of the Horites in the land of Edom.
• Anah had a daughter named Aholibamah.
• Anah encountered extraordinary animals with combined human and animal features while tending his father’s donkeys near the sea. These creatures rode off with the donkeys.
• Anah informed his relatives about this unusual encounter, leading to fear and the abandonment of that grazing area.

Genealogy

• Anah’s father was Seir the Horite.
• His siblings included Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. Note that there was also an Anah the son of Zibeon.
• Anah’s children were Dishon and a daughter, Aholibamah.

Historical Context

Anah, the son of Seir, lived in the land of Seir, later known as Edom, during a time when the Horites were the established inhabitants of this region. The sources place the birth of Seir’s children between the years 2087 and 2107 AM. This situates Anah’s lifetime in the generations following Abraham and during the early life of Isaac. The designation of Anah as one of the “dukes” of the Horites signifies his recognized status and potential leadership within their tribal structure. The most distinctive historical context for Anah arises from the account of his encounter with the peculiar hybrid creatures near the seashore. This event, regardless of its literal interpretation, suggests a time when the boundaries between the known and the unknown, and perhaps even the natural and the supernatural, were perceived differently. The fear and caution it instilled in Anah and his kin reflect the potential dangers and uncertainties of their environment.

Narrative

The primary narrative involving Anah the son of Seir centers on his remarkable encounter while tending the donkeys of his father, Seir. Leading the animals to graze near the seashore, Anah witnessed a severe storm and the emergence of approximately one hundred and twenty hybrid creatures, described as having human-like lower bodies and the upper bodies resembling bears or keephas, with tails. These beings mounted the donkeys and led them away. During this event, one of the creatures struck Anah with its tail before fleeing. Understandably terrified by this experience, Anah returned to his family and recounted what had transpired. The incident caused considerable fear among his sons and brothers, leading them to avoid that particular area thereafter. Beyond this singular, albeit extraordinary, event, Anah’s narrative presence is limited to genealogical listings, identifying him as a son of Seir, a “duke” among the Horites, and the father of Dishon and Aholibamah. The account of the hybrid creatures sets Anah apart within the genealogical records, offering a unique glimpse into the perceived realities and potential dangers of the world he inhabited, and influencing the actions of his immediate family.