Agag אֲגָג
King mentioned in Balaam's oracle about Israel
Who is Agag in the Bible?
Agag was a powerful king mentioned in the prophetic oracle of Balaam in Numbers 24:7. When the prophet Balaam was hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel, he instead blessed them and declared that "their king shall be higher than Agag, and their kingdom shall be exalted." This reference suggests that Agag was a renowned and formidable ruler of Balaam's era, making him a fitting comparison point for emphasizing Israel's future greatness. The significance of Agag in biblical narrative lies in his use as a standard of earthly power and authority against which God's blessing upon Israel is measured.
Biography
Agag is mentioned in the oracle of Balaam, a prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse Israel. In Balaam's third oracle, he prophesies about Israel's future, stating, "Their king shall be higher than Agag, and their kingdom shall be exalted." This suggests that Agag was a well-known, powerful king at the time.
In Scripture
1 biblical bookNumbers 1 verse
- Numbers 24:7
"Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will have abundant water. His king will be greater than Agag, and his kingdom will be exalted."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲגָג |