Anah is a patriarch of the Edomites, whose lineage is established in the Book of Genesis. His identity is found within the genealogical lists that detail the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. He is a key ancestral figure in the early history of the region south of the Dead Sea.
👑 The Lineage of Seir
Anah was the son of Zibeon and the father of Aholibamah, who became one of the wives of Esau (also called Edom). This marriage cemented the relationship between the early Edomite nation and the local Hivites, who were the original inhabitants of the land of Seir.
The scripture lists Anah’s place within the Horite clan structure:
“And these are the sons of Zibeon; both Ajah, and Anah: this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.” (Genesis 36:24, KJV)
He is also listed among the dukes (or chiefs) who descended from Esau through the line of the Horites:
“These are the dukes that came of the sons of Esau: the dukes of Eliphaz; duke Teman, duke Omar, duke Zepho, duke Kenaz, Duke Korah, duke Gatam, and duke Amalek: these are the dukes that came of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these were the sons of Adah. And these are the dukes that came of Reuel; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath. And these are the dukes that came of Aholibamah; duke Jeush, duke Jaalam, duke Korah: these were the dukes that came of Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, Esau’s wife, in the land of Edom.” (Genesis 36:15-18, KJV)
🦓 The Curious Discovery
The most memorable detail about Anah is the unique footnote appended to his name: his discovery of the mules.
“…this was that Anah that found the mules in the wilderness, as he fed the asses of Zibeon his father.” (Genesis 36:24, KJV)
The Hebrew word translated as “mules” is yemim. This word is a subject of scholarly debate, as the mule—a hybrid cross between a male ass and a female horse—is a known animal, but the text might imply an unusual or unprecedented discovery in that context. Interpretations include:
- Mules: The first discovery or successful breeding of the hybrid mule in the region.
- Hot Springs: A non-zoological interpretation that suggests yemim refers to hot springs or mineral waters discovered by Anah.
- Giant/Wild Asses: A species of wild ass, different from the domestic asses he was tending.
Regardless of the precise zoological or geographical interpretation, the inclusion of this detail emphasizes that Anah was an important and memorable figure in his time—a man known for a singular, notable event that occurred while he was engaged in the humble work of a herdsman.
🔑 Anah and the Plan of God
Anah’s lineage served a crucial purpose in the divine plan. By providing his daughter Aholibamah as a wife to Esau (Edom), Anah’s family was integrated into the nation that would live alongside Israel for centuries. His story, despite its brevity, confirms the meticulous detail with which the Scriptures record the origins of the surrounding nations, establishing the historical context for the later interactions between Israel and Edom.