Who was Agee in the Bible?

Agee was a man known as 'the Hararite' and is mentioned only as the father of Shammah, one of King David's most valiant warriors, known as the 'Three' (2 Samuel 23:11). His significance comes entirely through his son's heroic deeds.

What did Agee's son, Shammah, do?

Shammah, son of Agee, famously defended a field of lentils single-handedly against a troop of Philistines, securing a great victory for Israel (2 Samuel 23:11-12). This act of bravery earned him a place among David's top three mighty men.

Why is Agee mentioned in the Bible?

Agee is mentioned to establish the lineage and identity of his heroic son, Shammah. In biblical genealogies and records, noting a father's name was a way of honoring and identifying a person's family and heritage.

Agee

Old TestamentUnited MonarchyMaleFather

Agee the Hararite was the father of Shammah, one of David's mighty men. (2Sa.23.11)

Agee

Biography

Agee the Hararite is mentioned in the biblical record solely as the father of Shammah, one of David's celebrated "Three", the innermost circle of his mighty men (2 Samuel 23:11). Shammah distinguished himself through a single extraordinary act of valor: when the Philistines gathered at Lehi and the Israelite troops fled, Shammah stood alone in a field of lentils and struck down the Philistines, winning the battle by himself. The text attributes the victory to the LORD. Though Agee himself performed no recorded act, his identification by name and regional affiliation (Hararite, likely indicating a highland clan) suggests he was known among Israel's military circles. His legacy is entirely channeled through the heroism of his son.

Significance

Agee's significance is derivative yet meaningful: he is honored in Scripture as the father of one of the most celebrated warriors in Israelite history. The inclusion of paternal lineage in the lists of David's mighty men reflects the ancient Near Eastern understanding that valor was a heritage, that a warrior's character was formed in part by the home that shaped him. Agee's unnamed but honored role as father invites reflection on the invisible contributions of parents whose faithfulness produces extraordinary children. The Hararite designation also situates Shammah, and by extension Agee, among highland peoples who became fiercely loyal to David's cause. In the economy of Scripture, faithfully raising a child for God's service constitutes a lasting contribution to the kingdom's advance.

Verse Appearances (1)

2 Samuel

2 Samuel 23:11

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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