אָנַס (a.nas)
a.nas
to compel
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb anas means to force or constrain someone into action. It describes the exertion of pressure that leaves little room for voluntary choice, pushing a person toward a specific outcome against their initial reluctance. This word carries a sense of urgency and external power, where one party overrides the free will of another.
Its occurrence in Scripture is extremely rare, appearing only once in the Old Testament within the Book of Esther (Esther 9:1). In this context, it describes how the Jewish people were compelled to defend themselves against their enemies. The usage highlights a shift from passive victimhood to active resistance, driven by the necessity of survival rather than aggression.
While the word is scarce, its meaning remains clear in its single appearance. It underscores moments in biblical history where circumstances or threats force decisive action. The term serves as a linguistic marker for situations where choice is narrowed by immediate danger, leaving defense as the only viable path forward.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word anas describes a forceful pressure that overrides personal choice. It appears only once in the Old Testament, capturing a moment where survival demands decisive action against overwhelming threat. In Esther 9:1, it shows how the Jewish people were compelled to defend themselves when their lives were in danger.
This rare term reminds us that not all actions stem from free will. Sometimes circumstances leave no other path but resistance. When we face situations where our safety is at stake, this word acknowledges the gravity of such moments without judging the response. It highlights how external pressure can shape history and individual lives alike.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [was one who] compelled1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֹנֵ֑ס1×