Bible Encyclopedias
Agagite

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ā´gag -ı̄t , (אגגי , 'ăghāghı̄ , from, אגג , 'ăghagh , "a member of the house of Agag"): A title of opprobrium given to Haman (Esther 3:1 , Esther 3:10; Esther 8:3 , Esther 8:5; Esther 9:24 ). Jewish tradition always assigned the arch-enemies of Israel membership in the house of Amalek, the hereditary foe of the nation. Compare Ant , XI, vi, 5. The word Agag has properly been taken by Delitzsch as related to the Assyrian agagu , "to be powerful," "vehement," "angry." In the Greek parts of Esther, Haman is termed a Macedonian (Esther 3:1 , Esther 3:10 ). The name Haman is probably of Elamitic origin. Oppert's attempt to connect the term "Agagite" with "Agaz," a Median tribe mentioned by Sargon, has found no supporters. See AGAG .