Lexical Summary aguddah: Band, bundle, troop, bunch Original Word: אֲגֻדָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bunch, burden, troop Feminine passive participle of an unused root (meaning to bind); a band, bundle, knot, or arch -- bunch, burden, troop. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition a band NASB Translation band (1), bands (1), bunch (1), vaulted dome (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֲגֻדָּה noun feminine band (Mishna אֲגוּדָּה compare NHWB). 1 plural construct אֲגֻדּוֺת מוֺטָה bands, thongs (fastening ox-bow) metaphor of fetters of slavery Isaiah 58:6. 2 אֲגֻדַּת אֵזוֺב bunch of hyssop Exodus 12:22. 3 ׳א absolute band of men (compare חֶבֶל. English band) 2 Samuel 2:25. 4 אֲגֻדָּתוֺ vault of the heavens (as fitted together, constructed, compare Arabic Topical Lexicon Overviewאֲגֻדָּה appears four times in the Old Testament and consistently conveys the idea of something bound or bundled together—whether plants, people, restraints, or the elemental forces of creation. Its biblical usage moves from tangible objects to vivid metaphors, illustrating how God gathers, restrains, or releases for His redemptive purposes. Passover and the Bundle of Hyssop (Exodus 12:22) “Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the blood on the top and both sides of the doorframe.” The first appearance of אֲגֻדָּה is set at the inaugural Passover. Israel was commanded to apply the lamb’s blood with a “cluster” of hyssop. The bundled sprig both absorbed and dispensed the blood, uniting plant, sacrifice, and household in a single act of faith. This picture of collective protection foreshadows later atonement themes: the bond of believers under the blood of the Lamb (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19). The corporate implication is unmistakable—redemption gathers God’s people into one sheltered community. A Unified Fighting Force (2 Samuel 2:25) “And the men of Benjamin rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill.” Here אֲגֻדָּה describes warriors closing ranks under Abner. The term underscores solidarity, discipline, and shared purpose. In the narrative it marks a turning point where personal rivalry threatens national unity. Theologically it reminds readers that the strength of God’s people is found in orderly cohesion rather than factionalism (Psalm 133:1; Philippians 1:27). Breaking the Cords of Oppression (Isaiah 58:6) “Is this not the fast I choose: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, and to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?” Isaiah transforms the noun into a metaphor for oppressive bonds. True worship, the prophet insists, unbinds people from exploitation. What humanity misuses to enslave, God calls His people to loose. The verse extends אֲגֻדָּה from physical binding to social and spiritual captivity, echoing later promises of Gospel liberation (Luke 4:18; Galatians 5:1). Cosmic Bundling of Waters (Amos 9:6) “He builds His upper chambers in the heavens and has founded His vault upon the earth; He summons the waters of the sea and pours them over the face of the earth.” Amos applies אֲגֻדָּה to the Creator’s mastery of the primal elements. The same word that speaks of human clustering now depicts the Lord “binding” the sea’s waters in heavenly reservoirs, ready to release at His command (Job 38:8-11). The imagery magnifies divine sovereignty: nothing in creation escapes His orderly control. Theological Themes 1. Unity and Community 2. Bondage versus Freedom 3. Divine Order Ministry Applications • Corporate Worship: Like the hyssop bundle, congregational life applies the atoning work of Christ in unity. Leaders should cultivate practices that keep the flock gathered around the blood of the covenant (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Social Justice: Isaiah 58 calls believers to identify and dismantle “bundles” of oppression. Ministries that address poverty, trafficking, or systemic sin embody the fast God desires. • Spiritual Warfare: 2 Samuel 2:25 reminds the church to stand as one “unit” against spiritual adversaries. Disunity fractures witness; coordinated faith advances the kingdom. • Stewardship of Creation: Amos 9:6 encourages reverent awe toward God’s governance of nature. Environmental ethics flow from recognizing His wise “bundling” of earth’s resources. Summary אֲגֻדָּה weaves a rich tapestry of gathering, binding, and releasing. It points from the first Passover, through national struggles, into prophetic visions of liberty, and up to the cosmic storehouses of God’s power. Each occurrence invites believers to trust the God who binds together for salvation and unbinds for freedom, securing His people within His sovereign, redeeming embrace. Forms and Transliterations אֲגֻדַּ֣ת אֲגֻדּ֣וֹת אגדות אגדת וַאֲגֻדָּת֖וֹ ואגדתו לַאֲגֻדָּ֣ה לאגדה ’ă·ḡud·daṯ ’ă·ḡud·dō·wṯ ’ăḡuddaṯ ’ăḡuddōwṯ agudDat agudDot la’ăḡuddāh la·’ă·ḡud·dāh laagudDah vaaguddaTo wa’ăḡuddāṯōw wa·’ă·ḡud·dā·ṯōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 12:22 HEB: וּלְקַחְתֶּ֞ם אֲגֻדַּ֣ת אֵז֗וֹב וּטְבַלְתֶּם֮ NAS: You shall take a bunch of hyssop KJV: And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, INT: shall take A bunch of hyssop and dip 2 Samuel 2:25 Isaiah 58:6 Amos 9:6 4 Occurrences |
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