אַגָּן
a bowl (as pounded out hollow)
Definition
אַגָּן refers to a type of bowl or basin, specifically one that is hammered or pounded out from metal to create a hollow vessel. In its three biblical occurrences, it consistently denotes a container used for holding liquids. In Exodus 24:6, it is a basin used in a solemn ritual to collect the blood of sacrifices for the covenant ceremony. In Song of Solomon 7:2, it poetically describes the rounded shape of a woman's navel, likening it to a curved bowl that is never lacking mixed wine. In Isaiah 22:24, it is part of a metaphorical description where all the 'vessels'—including bowls—hang upon a secure peg, representing dependents in a household or kingdom.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only three times in the Old Testament, each in a distinct context. It is used in a ritual setting in the Torah (Exodus 24:6), in poetic imagery in the Writings (Song of Solomon 7:2), and in a prophetic metaphor in the Prophets (Isaiah 22:24). There is no pattern of usage across multiple books, but each instance highlights the object's function as a container—for blood, for wine, or as a general household vessel.
Etymology
The noun אַגָּן (ʼaggân) is likely derived from the root נָגַן (nāgan, H5059), which means 'to strike' or 'to play a stringed instrument.' This connection suggests the original sense of a vessel that is 'struck' or 'pounded out' from metal, emphasizing its method of manufacture by a metalsmith. Cognates appear in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings for a bowl or basin.
Semantic Range
While primarily a mundane object, אַגָּן gains theological significance in Exodus 24:6, where it is part of the covenant ratification ceremony. The basins holding the blood—half sprinkled on the altar and half on the people—visually enact the binding agreement between God and Israel, prefiguring later concepts of atonement and communion. Understanding this specific vessel enriches the reading of this foundational covenant narrative.
In the ancient Near East, metal bowls like the אַגָּן were valuable household and ritual items, often made of bronze or silver. Their 'pounded out' construction indicates skilled metalworking. The poetic use in Song of Solomon 7:2 reflects a cultural appreciation for fine craftsmanship and beauty, comparing the human form to an artfully made vessel meant to hold celebratory wine.
סֵפֶל (sēp̄el, H5592) — a broader term for a bowl or dish, often for everyday use. כּוֹס (kôs, H3563) — specifically a cup for drinking. קְעָרָה (qə‘ārâ, H7086) — a dish or platter, often for solid food like bread.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →