דֹּאֵג (do.eg)
do.eg
Doeg
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Doeg appears in just three verses, all within the first book of Samuel. It identifies an Edomite who served as the chief herdsman for King Saul. His presence marks a dark moment in Israel’s history, where loyalty to a flawed king overrides religious duty.
Lexical sources note that his name likely means "fearing" or "one who is afraid." This etymology creates a sharp irony: while he may have feared Saul’s wrath, he showed no fear of God. He carried out the massacre of the priests at Nob with cold efficiency, demonstrating how terror can drive a person to commit terrible acts against the sacred.
Doeg serves as a stark character study in the biblical narrative. He is not a complex villain but a tool of judgment and tragedy. His brief appearance highlights the danger of blind obedience to human authority over divine law. The text uses his name to remind readers that fear, when misdirected, leads to destruction rather than protection.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Doeg appears in only three verses in Scripture, yet it carries a heavy weight. It identifies an Edomite who served as King Saul’s chief herdsman. His story is not one of heroism but of tragic failure. He chose to fear the anger of a flawed human leader more than he feared God.
This narrative warns us about the danger of misplaced loyalty. Doeg’s actions show how terror can drive a person to commit terrible acts against what is sacred. It reminds us that blind obedience to authority, when it contradicts divine law, leads to destruction rather than protection.
While Doeg serves as a stark example of what not to be, his presence highlights the importance of standing firm in faith. We are invited to examine our own fears and ensure they do not lead us away from righteousness. May we find our security in God alone, rather than in the shifting winds of human opinion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Doeg3×
- to/ Doeg1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- דּוֹאֵ֣ג2×
- לְ/דוֹאֵ֔ג1×
- דֹּאֵ֣ג1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 22:9
Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
This verse introduces Doeg as an observer who actively chooses to inform on David, setting the stage for the tragedy.
-
I Samuel 22:18
The king said to Doeg, “Turn and attack the priests!” Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five people who wore a linen ephod.
Here Doeg executes Saul’s order to kill the priests, demonstrating his complete disregard for religious duty in favor of human command.
-
I Samuel 22:22
David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am responsible for the death of all the persons of your father’s house.
David acknowledges Doeg’s presence as the cause of the massacre, highlighting the devastating consequences of one person’s betrayal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Doeg mean?
Why does Doeg appear so rarely in the Bible?
What is the main lesson from Doeg’s story?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
I Samuel 3 verses
Then Doeg the Edomite, who stood by the servants of Saul, answered and said, “I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to…
I Samuel 22:18The king said to Doeg, “Turn and attack the priests!” Doeg the Edomite turned, and he attacked the priests, and he…
I Samuel 22:22David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I am…