Akan יַעֲקָן

Male Edom H3292 2 books

Son of Ezer, a Horite chief in Seir

Who is Akan in the Bible?

Akan was the son of Ezer, a Horite chief in the mountainous region of Seir, as recorded in 1 Chronicles 1:42. The Horites were the original inhabitants of the land south of the Dead Sea before being displaced and absorbed by the Edomites, descendants of Esau. Akan is listed among the sons of Ezer along with his brothers Bilhan and Zaavan, suggesting his family held leadership and influence in the region during the pre-Edomite period. Beyond this genealogical mention, no further details about Akan's life or role are provided in Scripture, making him significant primarily as part of the historical record documenting the peoples who inhabited Seir before Edomite dominance.

Biography

Akan is mentioned in the genealogies of the Horites, the inhabitants of Seir, before the Edomites conquered the region. He was the son of Ezer, who was one of the Horite chiefs. (Gen.36.27; 1Ch.1.42)

The Horites were the original inhabitants of the mountainous region of Seir, located south of the Dead Sea. They were eventually displaced by the Edomites, the descendants of Esau, who intermarried with the Horites and became the dominant population in the area. (Deut 2.12)

Akan is listed among the sons of Ezer, along with his brothers Bilhan and Zaavan. (Gen.36.27; 1Ch.1.42) These chiefs and their clans likely held significant influence in the region before the Edomite conquest.

Apart from being mentioned in the genealogies, no further information is provided about Akan's life, his role as a member of a chiefly family, or any specific events associated with him.

The inclusion of Akan in the genealogies serves to document the Horite lineage and to provide a historical context for the Edomite occupation of Seir. It also demonstrates the importance of family records and the preservation of ancestral heritage in the ancient Near East.

Family

In Scripture

2 biblical books ; 1 with study content
1 Chronicles 1 verse
  • 1 Chronicles 1:42

    "The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. The sons of Dishan: Uz and Aran."

Genesis 1 verse

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script
Named Hebrew יַעֲקָן
Spelled Hebrew עֲקָן
Encyclopedia Article

Akan

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

has Jakan.

ak'-a-tan (Akatan; the King James Version, Acatan = Hakkatan; Ezr 8:12): The father of Joannes who returned with Ezra to Jerusalem (1 Esdras 8:38).

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