PatriarkernaAncestor of the AnakimFounder of Kiriath-ArbaForemost man among the Anakim?
Arba is regarded as the ancestor of the Anakites, a feared people of giants in the Canaanite highlands.
He is described as the greatest among them (Josh 14:15), and the city Kiriath-Arba – 'Arba's city' – was named after him.
This city later became known as Hebron.
Arba was the father of Anak (Josh 15:13; 21:11), and through Anak's sons – Sheshai, Ahiman and Talmai, that is, Arba's grandsons – the Anakite lineage continued.
Kiriath-Arba plays an important role already in the patriarchal narratives as the place where Sarah died and Abraham acquired the cave of Machpelah as a burial site.
During the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, Caleb received the city as his inheritance and drove out Anak's descendants, thus bringing Arba's long-standing influence over the Hebron area to an end.
13To Caleb son of Jephunneh, Joshua gave a portion among the people of Judah, as the LORD had commanded him: Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron—Arba being the ancestor of Anak.
Hebron as Kiriath-Arba in the time of the patriarchs
Already in the time of the patriarchs, the city was known as Kiriath-Arba. It was here that Sarah died, and Abraham bought the cave of Machpelah as a burial place for his family.
12So give me this hill country the LORD spoke of that day, for you yourself heard then that the Anakites are there, with large fortified cities. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out, just as the LORD said."
14So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite as an inheritance to this day, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.
13To Caleb son of Jephunneh, Joshua gave a portion among the people of Judah, as the LORD had commanded him: Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron—Arba being the ancestor of Anak.