agag Summary and Overview

flame, the usual title of the Amalekite kings, as "Pharaoh" was of the Egyptian. (1.) A king of the Amalekites referred to by Balaam (Num. 24:7). He lived at the time of the Exodus. (2.) Another king of the Amalekites whom Saul spared unlawfully, but whom Samuel on his arrival in the camp of Saul ordered, in retributive justice (Judg. 1), to be brought out and cut in pieces (1 Sam. 15:8-33. Compare Ex. 17:11; Num. 14:45).

(flame), possibly the title of the kings of Amalek, like Pharaoh of Egypt. One king of this name is mentioned in #Nu 24:7| and another in 1Sam 15:8,9,20,32 The latter was the king of the Amalekites, whom Saul spared contrary to Jehovah's well-known will. #Ex 17:14; De 25:17| For this act of disobedience Samuel was commissioned to declare to Saul his rejection, and he himself sent for Agag and cut him in pieces. (B.C. about 1070.) [SAMUEL]. Haman is called the AGAGITE in #Es 3:1,10 8:3,5| The Jews consider him a descendant of Agag the Amalekite.

A'GAG (flame) was probably the title of the Amalekite kings, like Pharaoh of the Egyptian rulers. Two kings of this name are mentioned in Scripture. 1. In Num 24:7, the way in which this Agag is referred to indicates that he was very powerful, above all other kings known to Balaam. 2. An Agag who was captured by Saul, but was spared, contrary to the express prohibition of Jehovah. He was afterward brought to Samuel, who hewed him in pieces. This act was not only the execution of the divine order, but it would seem an act of retributive justice as well, since Agag is charged with infamous cruelty. 1 Sam 15:8, 1 Sam 15:33,

("fiery one"; compare Arabic "burn".) A common title of the Amalekite kings; as Pharaoh of the Egyptian. Numbers 24:7 implies their greatness at that time. Saul's sparing the Agag of his time (1 Samuel 15:32) contrary to God's command, both then and from the first (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:17-19), because of Amalek's having intercepted Israel in the desert, so as to defeat the purpose of God Himself concerning His people, entailed on Saul loss of his throne and life. Agag came to Samuel "delicately" (rather contentedly, pleasantly), confident of his life being spared. But Samuel executed retributive justice (as in the case of Adonibezek, Judges 1), hewing him to pieces, and so making his mother childless, as he had made other women childless by hewing their sons to pieces (in consonance with his fiery character, as Agag means). This retribution in kind explains the unusual mode of execution. Haman the Agagite (Esther 3:1-10; Esther 8:3-5) was thought by the Jews his descendant, whence sprung his hatred to their race.