דָּגָה
𐤃𐤂𐤄
dâgâh
H1711 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To multiply or increase greatly in number, specifically used of living creatures (particularly fish) increasing in population, often with emphasis on rapid or abundant reproduction. The term carries the connotation of thriving and becoming numerous, especially within an aquatic context.
Semantic Range
to multiply (especially as fish), to become numerous, to spawn, to thrive abundantly
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root דָּגָה (d-g-h), based on the noun דָּג (dag), meaning 'fish.' The root is denominative, i.e., it is a verb form derived from a noun, denoting the action characteristic of fish—in this case, prolific multiplication or spawning. The core root itself does not occur outside verbal forms related to this denominative.
Historical & Contextual Notes
דָּגָה appears very rarely in the Hebrew Bible, notably in Genesis 48:16, in the blessing over the descendants of Joseph, with the sense of 'becoming numerous like fish.' The usage is poetic and symbolically emphasizes prolific increase, not only literal reproduction. The verb does not carry cultic or specifically religious connotations but draws imagery from the natural behavior of fish, which were regarded as fertile and abundant. The denominative nature distinguishes it from the more common Hebrew verbs for 'to multiply' (e.g., רבב, רבה), which are applied more generally. In post-biblical Hebrew and in cognate Semitic languages, the verb is not attested, indicating its usage was likely limited and possibly archaic. English translations often render it simply as 'to multiply,' but the aquatic/fertility imagery is frequently lost.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to move rapidly; used only as a denominative from דָּג; to spawn, i.e. become numerous; grow.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
דגה (d-g-h) — to fish, be abundant like fish, multiply
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H1709 | דָּג | prolific fish |
| H1710 | דָּגָה | fish-kind of |
| H1715 | דָּגָן | abundant field grain |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1711-01 |
וְ/יִדְגּ֥וּ | veyidegu | HC/Vqi3mp |
and may they grow | and they will multiply like fish | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H1711-01 |
Genesis 48:16 | וְ/יִדְגּ֥וּ | veyidegu | HC/Vqi3mp |
and may they grow | and they will multiply like fish |