Dictionaries :: Aner (1)

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Aner (1):

a'-ner (‘aner; Septuagint Aunan; Samaritan Pentateuch, ‘anram, "sprout," "waterfall"): One of the three "confederates" of Abraham in his pursuit after the four kings (Ge 14:13,14). Judging from the meanings of the two other names, Mamre being the name of the sacred grove or tree (Jahwist) and synonymous with Hebron (Priestly Code); and Eschol-a name of a valley (lit. "grape cluster") from which the personal names are derived-it may be expected to explain the name Aner in a similar way. Dillmann suggested the name of a range of mountains in that vicinity (Comm. at the place and Rosen in ZDMG, XII, 479; Skinner, Genesis, 365).

Written by Samuel Cohon