חָגָב (cha.gav)
cha.gav
Hagab
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name ḥāgāb appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, identifying a specific individual in the list of those who returned from Babylonian exile to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:46). He is recorded as the head of a family or household among the exiles who resettled under Zerubbabel’s leadership. The text provides no further biographical details about his life or actions, placing him squarely within the historical record of restoration.
Linguistically, the word ḥāgāb is identical to the common noun for "locust" in Hebrew. While proper names often carry poetic or descriptive meanings, here it likely serves as a family identifier rather than a metaphorical title. The coincidence with the insect name is striking, yet the context treats him simply as a patriarch of a returning clan, anchoring his identity in lineage and historical circumstance rather than symbolic imagery.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Hagab appears only once in Scripture, listed among those who returned from exile to rebuild Jerusalem (Ezra 2:46). This brief mention reminds us that God’s story includes ordinary families and individuals whose names might otherwise be forgotten. Each person listed was part of a larger movement of restoration, showing how God works through many lives to fulfill His promises.
Though the word also means 'locust' in Hebrew, here it functions as a family identifier rather than a metaphor. This distinction helps us see that biblical names often reflect real human history rather than just symbolic imagery. Hagab’s inclusion highlights the importance of lineage and community in God’s plan for His people.
When we read these lists, we are invited to trust that God remembers every name and every contribution. Even small acts of faithfulness matter in His grand narrative. This passage encourages us to value our own place in God’s story, knowing that He weaves individual lives into a meaningful whole.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Hagab1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- חָגָ֥ב1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 2:46
the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
This verse identifies Hagab as the head of a family returning from exile, anchoring his identity in historical restoration rather than symbolic meaning.