Dictionary Summary: The name of one of the cities of refuge, in the tribe of Benjamin ([Josh. 21:18](/josh#Josh.21.18)). The Jews, as a rule, did not change the names of the towns they found in Palestine; hence this town may be regarded as deriving its name from the goddess Anat. It was the native place of Abiezer, one of David’s “thirty” ([2 Sam. 23:27](/2sam#2Sam.23.27)), and of Jehu, another of his mighty men ([1 Chr. 12:3](/1chr#1Chr.12.3)). It is chiefly notable, however, as the birth-place and usual residence of Jeremiah ([Jer. 1:1](/jer#Jer.1.1); [11:21-23](/jer#Jer.11.21); [29:27](/jer#Jer.29.27); [32:7-9](/jer#Jer.32.7)). It suffered greatly from the army of Sennacherib, and only 128 men returned to it from the Exile ([Neh. 7:27](/neh#Neh.7.27); [Ezra 2:23](/ezra#Ezra.2.23)). It lay about 3 miles north of Jerusalem. It has been identified with the small and poor village of ‘Anata, containing about 100 inhabitants. ²