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מָגֵן

𐤌𐤂𐤍

mâgên

H4043 noun

SILEX Entry

Root גנן to cover, protect, shield

Definition

A protective device used to block or deflect attacks, commonly constructed of leather, wood, or metal, designed to be borne on the arm. In extended or figurative contexts, it denotes protection or deliverance—whether by a person, the deity of Israel, or some other agent. Frequently used both literally for military equipment and metaphorically for divine protection, patronage, or security.

Semantic Range

shield (military equipment), protective device (non-military), figurative protector (person or deity), means of defense, scale or plated armor (of an animal), symbol of safety or deliverance

Root / Etymology

מָגֵן is a noun derived from the root גָּנַן (to cover, protect, defend). The noun formation denotes an object that acts as a means of protection. The extended use for scales (as on a crocodile) derives by analogy with protective covering.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical Hebrew, מָגֵן refers most commonly to the standard Israelite shield, typically used in battle (cf. narratives in Samuel and Kings, the warfare psalms). This may refer to round or rectangular shields, less frequently to smaller bucklers. The figurative use—especially in poetry and wisdom literature—emerges early (e.g., YHWH as 'shield' of Abraham, Genesis 15:1), expressing the notion of protection, defense, or security. In post-exilic texts and later Hebrew, the term preserves its metaphorical sense and becomes embedded in liturgical language (cf. 'Shield of Abraham' in later tradition). The use to describe reptilian scales or armored hides is rare and confined to poetical or descriptive passages (e.g., Job 41:15). Standard English translations such as 'shield' convey the primary sense but may overlook the word's metaphorical and social-political nuances. Unlike צִנָּה (tsinnah, for the large body shield), מָגֵן covers a broader range of protective implements but is not restricted by size in biblical context.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

also (in plural) feminine מְגִנָּה; from גָּנַן; a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile; [idiom] armed, buckler, defence, ruler, [phrase] scale, shield.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

גנן (g-n-n) — cover, protect, shield

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1476 גּוּנִי Protected one
H1588 גַּן in the enclosed garden
H1593 גַּנָּה his enclosed garden
H1594 גִּנָּה enclosed garden of
H1598 גָּנַן shielding

Word Forms

16 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4043-04 מָגֵ֣ן magen HNcbsa shield shield 27
H4043-12 וּ/מָגֵן֙ umagen HC/Ncbsa and-shield and shield 5
H4043-07 מָגִנֵּ֣י maginey HNcbpc shields shields of 5
H4043-10 מָֽגִנִּים֙ maginim HNcbpa shields protective shields 4
H4043-09 מָגִנִּ֞/י magini HNcbsc/Sp1cs my shield my shield 4
H4043-01 הַ/מָּגֵ֣ן hamagen HTd/Ncbsa the-shield the shield 3
H4043-13 וּ/מָגִנָּ֣/ם umaginam HC/Ncbsc/Sp3mp and their shield and their shield 3
H4043-06 מָֽגִנֵּ֣/נוּ maginenu HNcbsc/Sp1cp our shield our shield 3
H4043-15 וּ/מָגִנִּ/י֮ umagini HC/Ncbsc/Sp1cs and my shield and my shield 2
H4043-11 וּ/לְ/מָ֣גִנִּ֔ים ulemaginim HC/R/Ncbpa and for shields and for shields 1

Occurrences in Scripture

63 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4043-04 Genesis 15:1 מָגֵ֣ן magen HNcbsa a shield shield
H4043-04 Deuteronomy 33:29 מָגֵ֣ן magen HNcbsc the shield shield
H4043-04 Judges 5:8 מָגֵ֤ן magen HNcbsa shield shield
H4043-04 2 Samuel 1:21 מָגֵ֣ן magen HNcbsc shield shield
H4043-04 2 Samuel 1:21 מָגֵ֣ן magen-2 HNcbsc shield shield
H4043-09 2 Samuel 22:3 מָגִנִּ֞/י magini HNcbsc/Sp1cs my shield my shield
H4043-04 2 Samuel 22:31 מָגֵ֣ן magen HNcbsa shield shield
H4043-04 2 Samuel 22:36 מָגֵ֣ן magen HNcbsc shield shield
H4043-10 1 Kings 10:17 מָֽגִנִּים֙ maginim HNcbpa shields protective shields
H4043-01 1 Kings 10:17 הַ/מָּגֵ֣ן hamagen HTd/Ncbsa the-shield the shield
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