Lexical Summary dag: Fish Original Word: דָּג 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 Originfrom 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. 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 udeGeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 1 Kings 4:33 2 Chronicles 33:14 Nehemiah 3:3 Nehemiah 12:39 Nehemiah 13:16 Job 12:8 Job 41:7 Psalm 8:8 Ecclesiastes 9:12 Ezekiel 38:20 Hosea 4:3 Jonah 1:17 Jonah 1:17 Jonah 2:10 Habakkuk 1:14 Zephaniah 1:3 Zephaniah 1:10 19 Occurrences |
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