Bible Dictionary
Agagite
An Agagite was a member of the house or line of Agag. The title is applied especially to Haman, the enemy of the Jews in Esther.
Definition
An Agagite was a member of the house or line of Agag. The term is especially used as a title of reproach for Haman in the Book of Esther.
Biblical Usage
Haman is repeatedly called an Agagite and is presented as an enemy of the Jews. The supplied material connects the title with Jewish tradition that Israel’s hereditary enemies belonged to the house of Amalek.
Historical Background
The word is formed from Agag and means a member of Agag’s house. Its precise linguistic origin is disputed in the supplied material; one proposed connection relates it to an Assyrian word meaning powerful, vehement, or angry.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A name applied to Haman and also to his father (Esther 3:1, 10; 8:3, 5). Probably it was equivalent to Amalekite.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Agag]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-gag-it, ('aghaghi, from, 'aghagh, "a member of the house of Agag"): A title of opprobrium given to Haman (Es 3:1,10; 8:3,5; 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 (Es 1:2-6; 1:6-10). 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.</p><p>H. J. Wolf</p>