אֲגָגִי
𐤀𐤂𐤂𐤉
Agagi
H91 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An Agagite; a person regarded as descended from or associated with Agag, possibly referencing a lineage or ethnic identity traced to Agag, the Amalekite king mentioned in early Israelite tradition. Used exclusively to label an individual as belonging to or identified with Agag, likely in a figurative or ironical sense rather than literal genealogical descent.
Semantic Range
descendant of Agag, member of a group associated with Agag, person identified with Agag; specific adversary of Israelite figures in the Esther narrative
Root / Etymology
Patronymic or ethnicon formation from the proper name אֲגַג (Agag). The root is that of the personal name; its etymology is uncertain. The term is constructed with the suffix -י (i), forming an adjectival/nationality demonym or patronymic relating to Agag.
Historical & Contextual Notes
The term appears in the Hebrew Bible only in the book of Esther, describing Haman as 'the Agagite' (הָאֲגָגִי). In this context, the label functions to tie Haman, the antagonist, with King Agag of Amalek, the traditional enemy of the Israelites, likely to cast Haman as a symbolic or ideological continuation of Amalekite opposition. There is no independent evidence of a historic ethnic group called 'Agagites' nor of Haman's genealogical connection to Agag; the term is employed polemically to evoke remembered hostilities. Later Greek and English translations sometimes render the term as 'Jew' for Mordecai’s identity and 'Agagite' for Haman, framing them in opposition. The term does not have a broader semantic range and is distinct from 'Amalekite' (עֲמָלֵקִי), though the association is implied in Esther. English translations generally transliterate or translate as 'Agagite', but this does not capture the polemical association in the Hebrew context.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
patrial or patronymic from אֲגַג; an Agagite or descendent (subject) of Agag; Agagite.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
אגג (ʾ-g-g) — association with Agag, descent from Agag, belonging to Agag
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H91-01 |
הָ/אֲגָגִ֖י | haagagi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Agagite | the Agagite | 5 |
Occurrences in Scripture
5 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H91-01 |
Esther 3:1 | הָ/אֲגָגִ֖י | haagagi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Agagite | the Agagite |
H91-01 |
Esther 3:10 | הָ/אֲגָגִ֖י | haagagi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Agagite | the Agagite |
H91-01 |
Esther 8:3 | הָֽ/אֲגָגִ֔י | haagagi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Agagite | the Agagite |
H91-01 |
Esther 8:5 | הָ/אֲגָגִ֔י | haagagi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Agagite | the Agagite |
H91-01 |
Esther 9:24 | הָֽ/אֲגָגִ֗י | haagagi | HTd/Ngmsa |
the Agagite | the Agagite |