עָגַן (a.gan)
a.gan
to refrain
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb agan, found only once in the Old Testament at Ruth 1:13, carries the sense of shutting oneself in or off. In this context, Naomi uses it to describe her daughters-in-law’s potential reaction if she were to bear more sons. She suggests they would have to "shut themselves up" or remain inactive, waiting for those boys to grow up.
This rare word highlights a profound sense of isolation and forced inaction. It is not merely about physical confinement but the emotional and social withdrawal that comes from hopelessness. Naomi’s use of agan underscores her belief that her fate is sealed, leaving no room for future family connections or joy.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word agan appears only once in the Old Testament, in Ruth 1:13. Naomi uses it to describe a deep sense of isolation and forced inaction. She believes her fate is sealed, leaving no room for future family connections or joy. This rare word highlights the emotional withdrawal that comes from hopelessness.
When life feels closed off, we often feel like we must shut ourselves away. Naomi’s story reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is working behind the scenes. Her despair was not the final word; it was part of a larger narrative that would lead to redemption and inclusion.
This word invites us to bring our feelings of isolation to God. He sees our pain and does not leave us in our suffering. Instead, He brings hope where there seems to be none. We can trust that our stories are held in His hands, even when we cannot see the way forward.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will you shut yourselves off1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תֵּֽעָגֵ֔נָה1×
Key Verses
-
Ruth 1:13
would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from having husbands? No, my daughters, for it grieves me seriously for your sakes, for Yahweh’s hand has gone out against me.”
Naomi uses this rare verb to express her belief that bearing more sons would force her daughters-in-law into a life of waiting and isolation, highlighting the depth of her despair.