Lexical Definition
אֲגַג ʼĂgag (ag-ag') Agag N:N-M-P
or אֲגָג ʼĂgâg (Ag-awg'); of uncertain derivation (compare אָגֵא); flame
Agag.
- § Agag = "I will overtop"
- Agag, a title of Amalekitish kings
1) king of Amalek, spared by Saul but slain by Samuel
| Form | Translated As | In Verse(s) |
|---|---|---|
| אֲגָ֛ג | Agag | 1Sam.15.33 |
| אֲגָ֗ג | Agag | 1Sam.15.9 |
| אֲגָ֔ג | Agag | 1Sam.15.32 |
| אֲגַג֙ | Agag | 1Sam.15.20 • 1Sam.15.32 |
| אֲגַ֥ג | Agag | 1Sam.15.8 |
| אֲגַ֖ג | Agag | 1Sam.15.32 |
Extended Information
- A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.15.8
- Also named: a.ga.gi (אֲגָגִי "Agagite" אֲגָגִי)
Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֲגָג, (אֲגַג Num 24:7) proper name, masculine (violent ? Assyrian agâgu DlW) king of Amalek 1Sam 15:8; 1Sam 15:9; 1Sam 15:20; 1Sam 15:32 (3 t. in verse); 1Sam 15:33, also Num 24:7 (E), as symbol of might; (Is ׳א then title ? see Di).
Brown-Driver-Briggs References
| Book | Refs |
|---|---|
| Numbers | 24:7 |
| 1 Samuel | 15:8 · 15:9 · 15:20 · 15:32 · 15:33 |
Profile
Male • Amalakite king • Amalekite king captured and killed by Samuel
King living at the time of United Monarchy
Agag, king of the Amalekites, was spared by Saul but killed by Samuel. (1Sa.15.8,9,20,32,33)
- An Amalakite king living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.15.8;
- referred to as Agag אֲגַג, or Agagite אֲגָגִי, or Bougeon Βουγαίου.
Agag was the king of the Amalekites during the reign of King Saul of Israel. God commanded Saul to attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything, including Agag. Saul defeated the Amalekites but spared Agag and the best of the livestock. The prophet Samuel rebuked Saul for his disobedience and told him that God had rejected him as king. Samuel then summoned Agag and "hewed him in pieces before the Lord." (1Sa.15.8,9,20,32,33)
The book of Esther mentions that Haman, the enemy of the Jews, was an Agagite, which suggests he may have been a descendant of Agag the Amalekite. (Est.3.1,10; 8.3,5; 9.24).