דָּגָה
Definition
The Hebrew noun דָּגָה (dâgâh) refers to fish as a collective group or species. It is the feminine form of דָּג (dâg, H1709), essentially meaning 'fish' in a general sense. In the Bible, it consistently denotes aquatic creatures, particularly in contexts of creation, judgment, and provision. For example, in Genesis 1:26 and 1:28, God grants humanity dominion over the fish of the sea, establishing their place in the created order. In Exodus 7:18 and 7:21, the term appears during the plague where the Nile's fish die, demonstrating God's power over Egypt's resources and deities.
Biblical Usage
This word is used 13 times, primarily in narrative and poetic books. It appears in key creation accounts (Genesis 1:26, 28), historical narratives of the Exodus plagues (Exodus 7:18, 21) and wilderness longing (Numbers 11:5), legal warnings against idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:18), and poetic descriptions of God's acts (Psalm 105:29; Isaiah 50:2). The usage consistently treats fish as a collective category of aquatic life, often symbolizing abundance, judgment, or something beyond human control.
Etymology
Derived from the root דגג (d-g-g), likely related to multiplying or swarming, as fish do. דָּגָה is the feminine form of the masculine noun דָּג (dâg, H1709), both meaning 'fish.' The feminine form often emphasizes the collective species or group. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic 'dg' and Arabic 'dajaja' (to swarm), pointing to an ancient shared concept of teeming aquatic life.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it appears in foundational texts about God's creation and sovereignty. In Genesis 1, fish are part of the good creation over which humans are to exercise stewardship. In the Exodus narrative, the death of the fish (Exodus 7:21) is a direct judgment on the Nile, a source of life and object of worship in Egypt, showcasing Yahweh's supremacy over false gods. Understanding דָּגָה enriches reading by connecting God's authority over all creation—both in blessing and judgment.
In the ancient Near East, fish were a vital food source and economic commodity, especially in regions like Egypt and along the Sea of Galilee. The collective term דָּגָה reflects their understanding of fish as a swarming, abundant resource. The death of fish in the Nile (Exodus 7) would have been culturally catastrophic, as the Nile was central to Egyptian life and religion, with some fish species even considered sacred.
דָּג (dâg, H1709) — The masculine singular/collective form for 'fish,' often used interchangeably but sometimes for individual fish. דָּגִים (dâgîm, H1710 alternate form) — A masculine plural form, also meaning 'fish.'
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.
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