1709. dag
Lexical Summary
dag: Fish

Original Word: דָּג
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: dag
Pronunciation: dawg
Phonetic Spelling: (dawg)
KJV: fish
NASB: fish, fishing
Word Origin: [from H1711 (דָּגָה - grow)]

1. a fish (as prolific)
2. or perhaps rather from H1672 (as timid)
3. but still better from H1672 (in the sense of squirming, i.e. moving by the vibratory action of the tail)
4. a fish (often used collectively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
fish

Or (fully) dag (Nehemiah 13:16) {dawg}; from dagah; a fish (as prolific); or perhaps rather from da'ag (as timid); but still better from da'ag (in the sense of squirming, i.e. Moving by the vibratory action of the tail); a fish (often used collectively) -- fish.

see HEBREW dagah

see HEBREW da'ag

see HEBREW da'ag

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from dagah
Definition
a fish
NASB Translation
fish (17), fishing (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
דָּאג fish, compare דָּג below דגה.

דָּג noun masculineJon 2:1 fish (Late Hebrew id.) — דָּג Jonah 2:1 (twice in verse); Jonah 2:11 + Nehemiah 13:16 Qr (Kt דָּאג); דָּגִים 1 Kings 5:13 6t.; דְּגֵי Genesis 9:2 7t.; — fish of sea Jonah 2:1 (twice in verse); Jonah 2:11 (in Jonah 1:1 גָּדוֺל ׳ד); Nehemiah 13:16 (דָּאג Kt דָּג article of Tyrian trade; only here collective, read perhaps דָּגָה; or regard as late usage, compare converse דָּגָה of individual Jonah 2:2); — elsewhere always plural: as subject of Solomon's utterance 1 Kings 5:13; fish-spear צִלְצַל דגים Job 40:31; most often דְּגֵי הַיָּםGenesis 9:2 (P), Psalm 8:9; Hosea 4:3; Zephaniah 1:3; Ezekiel 38:20; Job 12:8 (in all opposed to beasts & birds, & apparently used with them, + רֶמֶשׂ Ezekiel compare verb רמשׂ Genesis, for animal creation in General; also Habakkuk 1:14 compare below); Numbers 11:22 (JE) of fish (with beasts) as food (compare Genesis 9:2f.) in simile of men ensnared, like fish taken in net (מְצוֺדָה) Ecclesiastes 9:12 compare Habakkuk 1:14 (דְּגֵי הַיָּם); 4 t. שַׁעַר הַדָּגִים fish-gate2Chronicles 33:14; Zephaniah 1:10; Nehemiah 3:3; Nehemiah 12:39 (on situation compare שַׁעַר).

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The Hebrew noun דָּג occurs nineteen times in the Old Testament and consistently denotes “fish,” whether speaking of literal creatures that inhabit the waters or functioning metaphorically in prophetic and poetic literature. The passages reveal a broad theological range: dominion granted to humanity, divine provision, instruments of judgment, symbols of vulnerability, and hints that anticipate the gospel mission symbolized by the “fishers of men.”

Creation and Dominion

Genesis 9:2 situates fish among the creatures over which God gives humankind authority after the Flood: “The fear and dread of you will fall on every living creature on the earth… and on all the fish of the sea; they are delivered into your hand”. The verse reaffirms the creational mandate of Genesis 1:28 and underscores that aquatic life is not outside God’s orderly design. Fish, therefore, stand as witnesses to the covenantal structure of creation and the rightful stewardship entrusted to mankind.

Provision and Sustenance in the Wilderness

Numbers 11:22 raises the logistical question of feeding Israel in the desert—“Would they have enough if all the fish of the sea were caught for them?”. Moses’ rhetorical query highlights both Israel’s dependence on divine provision and the insufficiency of merely human calculations. Fish become a measure of abundance that only God can supply, anticipating Christ’s multiplication of loaves and fish in the Gospels.

Wisdom and Creation Theology

Job appeals to fish as silent instructors: “Speak to the earth, and it will teach you… and the fish of the sea will declare to you” (Job 12:8). The created order, including fish, testifies to God’s sovereignty and wisdom. Likewise, Psalm 8:8 lists “the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas,” extolling the majestic dominion God has granted to humankind while extolling His own glory.

Fish in Royal Wisdom

1 Kings 4:33 records Solomon’s encyclopedic knowledge: “He spoke about trees… also about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.” The inclusion of fish demonstrates the breadth of Israelite learning and Solomon’s role as a typological figure of the Messiah in whom are “hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

Commerce, Reconstruction, and Daily Life

During the post-exilic rebuilding of Jerusalem, fish feature in commercial and civic contexts. The “Fish Gate” is fortified (Nehemiah 3:3), mentioned again in procession (Nehemiah 12:39), and functions as a marketplace where Tyrian merchants sell “fish and all kinds of merchandise” on the Sabbath (Nehemiah 13:16). These references show economic revival and the temptation to compromise covenantal fidelity for commerce—issues still relevant for believers navigating marketplace ethics.

Fish as a Target of Judgment

Prophets often include fish in cosmic judgments, underscoring that no realm is exempt from divine scrutiny. Hosea 4:3 laments, “Therefore the land mourns… and even the fish of the sea disappear.” Ezekiel 38:20 foretells an earthquake so vast that “the fish of the sea… will tremble at My presence.” Zephaniah twice forewarns destruction near the Fish Gate (1:3, 10), linking fish imagery with purifying judgment that prepares for restoration.

Jonah: Mercy Within the Belly of a Fish

Jonah’s encounter with the “great fish” (Jonah 1:17; 2:10) dramatizes God’s sovereign grace. The prophet’s flight is halted not by military force but by a creature of the deep prepared by the Lord. Inside that living vessel, Jonah prays a psalm of repentance, illustrating that even in judgment God provides means for deliverance. The episode prefigures Christ’s burial and resurrection (Matthew 12:40).

Habakkuk’s Complaint: People as Fish

Habakkuk 1:14 portrays nations as fish defenseless before conquering empires: “You have made men like the fish of the sea… with no ruler over them”. The imagery underscores human helplessness apart from divine protection and invites faith that the righteous shall live by that very faith (Habakkuk 2:4).

Eschatological Cleansing in Zephaniah

Zephaniah’s mention of the Fish Gate within Jerusalem’s judgment oracle (1:3, 10) signals comprehensive cleansing. The gate that once welcomed commerce will witness mourning when God removes idolatry and injustice. Yet the same prophecy ends with a promise that God will “restore their fortunes” (Zephaniah 3:20), demonstrating both severity and mercy.

Ministry Significance and New Testament Resonance

The Old Testament’s multifaceted use of fish lays a foundation for New Testament imagery: disciples called from fishing nets (Matthew 4:19), miraculous catches (Luke 5:6), and the post-resurrection breakfast of fish prepared by Jesus (John 21:9). Early Christians adopted the fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ) as a confession of faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior. The consistent scriptural thread portrays fish as symbols of God’s creative power, sustaining grace, righteous judgment, and redemptive mission.

Practical Applications for Believers

1. Stewardship: Respect creation, including marine life, as part of the mandate of Genesis 9:2.
2. Dependence: Trust God’s provision when human resources seem inadequate, recalling Numbers 11:22.
3. Witness: Like Job and the psalmist, let creation’s testimony draw hearts to the Creator.
4. Ethical Commerce: Guard Sabbath principles and covenant faithfulness amid economic pursuits (Nehemiah 13:16).
5. Evangelism: Embrace the call to be “fishers of men,” extending Christ’s mercy to all peoples, confident that the God who appointed a fish for Jonah still directs history toward His redemptive purposes.

Forms and Transliterations
דְּגֵ֣י דְּגֵ֥י דָּ֖אג דָּ֣ג דָּגִ֣ים דאג דג דגי דגים הַדָּ֔ג הַדָּגִ֔ים הַדָּגִ֗ים הַדָּגִֽים׃ הַדָּגִים֙ הדג הדגים הדגים׃ וּדְגֵ֣י ודגי כִּדְגֵ֣י כַּדָּגִים֙ כדגי כדגים לַדָּ֑ג לדג dā·ḡîm dag dāḡ daGim dāḡîm də·ḡê dəḡê deGei had·dā·ḡîm had·dāḡ hadDag haddāḡ haddaGim haddāḡîm kad·dā·ḡîm kaddaGim kaddāḡîm kiḏ·ḡê kiḏḡê kidGei lad·dāḡ ladDag laddāḡ ū·ḏə·ḡê ūḏəḡê udeGei
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 9:2
HEB: הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה וּֽבְכָל־ דְּגֵ֥י הַיָּ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶ֥ם
NAS: and all the fish of the sea,
KJV: [upon] the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea;
INT: the ground and all the fish of the sea your hand

Numbers 11:22
HEB: אֶֽת־ כָּל־ דְּגֵ֥י הַיָּ֛ם יֵאָסֵ֥ף
NAS: should all the fish of the sea
KJV: for them, to suffice them? or shall all the fish of the sea
INT: Or all the fish of the sea be gathered

1 Kings 4:33
HEB: הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ וְעַל־ הַדָּגִֽים׃
NAS: and creeping things and fish.
KJV: and of creeping things, and of fishes.
INT: and creeping and and fish

2 Chronicles 33:14
HEB: וְלָב֨וֹא בְשַׁ֤עַר הַדָּגִים֙ וְסָבַ֣ב לָעֹ֔פֶל
NAS: even to the entrance of the Fish Gate;
KJV: even to the entering in at the fish gate,
INT: to the entrance Gate of the Fish encircled the Ophel

Nehemiah 3:3
HEB: וְאֵת֙ שַׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֔ים בָּנ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י
NAS: built the Fish Gate;
KJV: But the fish gate did the sons
INT: Gate the Fish built now the sons

Nehemiah 12:39
HEB: וְעַל־ שַׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֗ים וּמִגְדַּ֤ל חֲנַנְאֵל֙
NAS: Gate, by the Fish Gate,
KJV: gate, and above the fish gate,
INT: and Gate the Fish the Tower of Hananel

Nehemiah 13:16
HEB: בָ֔הּ מְבִיאִ֥ים דָּ֖אג וְכָל־ מֶ֑כֶר
KJV: also therein, which brought fish, and all manner of ware,
INT: were living there imported fish and all of merchandise

Job 12:8
HEB: וִֽיסַפְּר֥וּ לְ֝ךָ֗ דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּֽם׃
NAS: and let it teach you; And let the fish of the sea
KJV: and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea
INT: teach declare the fish of the sea

Job 41:7
HEB: עוֹר֑וֹ וּבְצִלְצַ֖ל דָּגִ֣ים רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
NAS: Or his head with fishing spears?
KJV: or his head with fish spears?
INT: his skin cymbal fishing his head

Psalm 8:8
HEB: צִפּ֣וֹר שָׁ֭מַיִם וּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם עֹ֝בֵ֗ר
NAS: of the heavens and the fish of the sea,
KJV: of the air, and the fish of the sea,
INT: the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea passes

Ecclesiastes 9:12
HEB: אֶת־ עִתּ֗וֹ כַּדָּגִים֙ שֶׁנֶּֽאֱחָזִים֙ בִּמְצוֹדָ֣ה
NAS: his time: like fish caught
KJV: not his time: as the fishes that are taken
INT: man his time fish caught castle

Ezekiel 38:20
HEB: וְרָעֲשׁ֣וּ מִפָּנַ֡י דְּגֵ֣י הַיָּם֩ וְע֨וֹף
NAS: The fish of the sea, the birds
KJV: So that the fishes of the sea,
INT: will shake the face the fish of the sea the birds

Hosea 4:3
HEB: הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְגַם־ דְּגֵ֥י הַיָּ֖ם יֵאָסֵֽפוּ׃
NAS: And also the fish of the sea
KJV: of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea
INT: of the sky and also the fish of the sea disappear

Jonah 1:17
HEB: וַיְמַ֤ן יְהוָה֙ דָּ֣ג גָּד֔וֹל לִבְלֹ֖עַ
NAS: a great fish to swallow
KJV: a great fish to swallow up
INT: appointed and the LORD fish A great to swallow

Jonah 1:17
HEB: יוֹנָה֙ בִּמְעֵ֣י הַדָּ֔ג שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה יָמִ֖ים
NAS: was in the stomach of the fish three
KJV: was in the belly of the fish three
INT: and Jonah the stomach of the fish three days

Jonah 2:10
HEB: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה לַדָּ֑ג וַיָּקֵ֥א אֶת־
NAS: commanded the fish, and it vomited
KJV: spake unto the fish, and it vomited out
INT: commanded the LORD the fish out Jonah

Habakkuk 1:14
HEB: וַתַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם כִּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם כְּרֶ֖מֶשׂ
NAS: men like the fish of the sea,
KJV: men as the fishes of the sea,
INT: made men the fish of the sea creeping

Zephaniah 1:3
HEB: עוֹף־ הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ וּדְגֵ֣י הַיָּ֔ם וְהַמַּכְשֵׁל֖וֹת
NAS: of the sky And the fish of the sea,
KJV: of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea,
INT: the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea and the ruins

Zephaniah 1:10
HEB: צְעָקָה֙ מִשַּׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֔ים וִֽילָלָ֖ה מִן־
NAS: of a cry from the Fish Gate,
KJV: of a cry from the fish gate,
INT: of a cry Gate the Fish A wail from

19 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 1709
19 Occurrences


dāḡ — 2 Occ.
dā·ḡîm — 1 Occ.
də·ḡê — 5 Occ.
had·dāḡ — 1 Occ.
had·dā·ḡîm — 5 Occ.
kad·dā·ḡîm — 1 Occ.
kiḏ·ḡê — 1 Occ.
lad·dāḡ — 1 Occ.
ū·ḏə·ḡê — 2 Occ.

1708
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