English · KJV
H1711

דָּגָה

dâgâh /daw-gaw'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto move rapidly; used only as a denominative from דָּג; to spawn, i.e. become numerous
KJV usagegrow.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dâgâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word dâgâh, represented by H1711, is a primitive root defined as to spawn or become numerous. Derived from the word for fish, it implies a rapid, prolific multiplication. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical appearance of H1711 is in Genesis 48:16, during Jacob's patriarchal blessing over Joseph's sons. In this pivotal moment, Jacob calls upon the Angel H4397 who had redeemed H1350 him from all evil H7451 to bless H1288 the lads H5288. He asks that his name H8034 and the names of his fathers H1, Abraham H85 and Isaac H3327, be carried on by them. The climax of the blessing is the specific request, "and let them grow H1711 into a multitude H7230 in the midst H7130 of the earth H776."

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words from its context clarify the meaning of H1711:

  • H1288 bârak (to bless): This is the action that enables the growth of H1711. The multiplication of the people is a direct result of a divine blessing, a benefit conferred by God Genesis 48:16. God's promise to Abraham was also to bless him and make his name great Genesis 12:2.
  • H7230 rôb (multitude): This word describes the intended result of the growth. Jacob prays for his descendants to become a multitude, signifying a great number or abundance Genesis 48:16. The concept of a multitude is often tied to God's mercy and salvation Psalms 69:13.
  • H1350 gâʼal (to redeem): This term establishes the foundation for the blessing. The growth is requested from the Angel who acted as a kinsman-redeemer for Jacob. The power to multiply the family line comes from the one who has the power to deliver and ransom Genesis 48:16.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1711 is significant despite its rarity, focusing on the fulfillment of covenant promises.

  • Generational Legacy: The word is used at a critical moment of legacy transfer. The prayer for the lads H5288 to grow H1711 is tied directly to the continuation of the name H8034 of the fathers H1, Abraham H85 and Isaac H3327.
  • Supernatural Fulfillment: The growth is not a natural occurrence but a supernatural one, invoked through a blessing from the divine "Angel H4397 which redeemed me" Genesis 48:16. This shows that the multiplication of God's people is an act of His power and grace.
  • Covenant Proliferation: To "grow into a multitude H7230 in the midst H7130 of the earth H776" is the tangible realization of God's covenant. The verb H1711 captures the dynamic, spawning growth by which God's promise to make Abraham's descendants numerous is carried forward.

Summary

In summary, H1711 dâgâh is a potent and specific term for exponential, fish-like multiplication. Its sole use in Genesis 48:16 places it at the heart of patriarchal blessing and covenant succession. It powerfully illustrates how God's redemptive blessing is the source of the prolific growth that perpetuates the legacy of His people and fulfills His ancient promises.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יִדְגּוּ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H4397 מֲלְאָךְ from an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, p H1350 גָּאַל a primitive root, to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e.; to be the next of kin (and as such to buy H7451 רַע from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), di H1288 בָרַךְ a primitive root; to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); a H5288 נַעַר from נָעַר; (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by H8034 שֵׁם a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appel

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Genesis — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.