אֲגָג (a.gag)
a.gag
Agag
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Agag appears in six verses of the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the narrative of 1 Samuel and a brief mention in Numbers. It identifies a king of Amalek, a people who were longstanding enemies of Israel. The etymology suggested by the sources links the name to the idea of "overtopping" or rising above, which may reflect the aggressive nature associated with this royal lineage.
In Numbers 24:7, Balaam’s oracle predicts that Agag will be exalted but ultimately destroyed, setting a prophetic tone for the conflict. This prophecy finds its dramatic fulfillment in 1 Samuel, where King Saul is commanded to destroy Amalek completely. Instead of obeying, Saul spares Agag, an act of disobedience that leads to his own rejection as king and Agag’s eventual execution by the prophet Samuel.
The name serves as a concrete symbol of rebellion against divine instruction. Its recurrence in Scripture highlights the serious consequences of partial obedience. The story of Agag is not just about a historical figure but illustrates the tension between human mercy and divine command, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Agag stands for a stubborn resistance to God’s clear direction. In the Old Testament, this Amalekite king represents the human tendency to keep what we want and discard what is difficult, even when God has spoken plainly. Saul’s failure to fully obey in this matter shows how easily partial compliance can undermine our entire walk with Him.
For your faith life, this story invites honest self-examination. Do you hold back from God’s commands because they feel too costly? The narrative reminds us that God values wholehearted obedience over impressive results or preserved status. When we trust His timing and authority completely, we find true peace rather than the anxiety of hiding our disobedience.
This tension between human preference and divine will remains relevant today. It calls you to examine where you might be sparing 'Agag' in your own heart—perhaps a habit, relationship, or ambition that God has asked you to release. Choosing full surrender is hard, but it aligns you with the wisdom and goodness of your Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Agag7×
- more than/ Agag1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- אֲגַג֙2×
- מֵֽ/אֲגַג֙1×
- אֲגָ֛ג1×
- אֲגָ֗ג1×
- אֲגָ֔ג1×
- אֲגַ֥ג1×
- אֲגַ֖ג1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 15:9
But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, of the cattle, of the fat calves, of the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to utterly destroy them; but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
This verse highlights the specific act of sparing Agag, showing how Saul’s selective obedience directly violated God's explicit command for total judgment.
-
I Samuel 15:32
Then Samuel said, “Bring Agag the king of the Amalekites here to me!” Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
Agag’s cheerful approach reveals his misunderstanding of the situation, assuming survival meant safety rather than facing the consequence of his kingdom's rebellion.
-
Numbers 24:7
Water shall flow from his buckets. His seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag. His kingdom shall be exalted.
Balaam’s prophecy uses Agag as a benchmark for earthly power, indicating that even the highest human authority is subject to God's ultimate plan.