Anat is an excellent example of the Egyptian acceptance of foreign deities into their pantheon of gods, because she actually originated in Syria-Palestine as a deity of the Canaanites and Phoenicians. She was said to be the sister, or sometimes the consort, of Baal. There is evidence of a cult dedicated to her in Egypt from at least the late Middle Kingdom (c.1800 BC).

Like other more benign goddesses, Anat held the titles 'Mother of All the Gods' and 'Mistress of the Sky'. At various times she was regarded as the consort of Seth or the fertility god Min.