דָּגָה (da.gah)
da.gah
to multiply
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb dagah means to multiply or increase in number. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Genesis 48:16. In this passage, Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, asking God to make their descendants grow into a multitude.
This rare usage highlights a simple but powerful concept of growth. The word does not imply complex processes or gradual change, but rather the straightforward result of multiplication. By using this term for the tribal ancestors, the text emphasizes the sheer scale of the family’s future expansion, fulfilling the broader promise given to Abraham.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word dagah carries the simple, powerful meaning of multiplying or increasing in number. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Genesis 48:16. Jacob uses it while blessing Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. He asks God to let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.
This rare verb highlights a straightforward concept of growth. It does not imply complex processes or gradual change. Instead, it points to the sheer scale of future expansion. For believers today, this reminds us that God’s promises often involve significant increase in our spiritual lives and families.
When we face uncertainty, we can trust that God is able to multiply our efforts and blessings. This single word connects us to the broader promise given to Abraham. It encourages us to look forward with hope, knowing that God cares about the growth of His people.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ may they multiply1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/יִדְגּ֥וּ1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 48:16
the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads, and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac. Let them grow into a multitude upon the earth.”
Jacob uses this verb to ask God to make Joseph's sons grow into a multitude, emphasizing the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise through direct divine intervention.