English · KJV
H1729

דּוּגָה

dûwgâh /doo-gaw'/ Ask about this word
Rootfeminine from the same as דַּוָּג
Meaningproperly, fishery, i.e. a hook forfishing
KJV usagefish (hook).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of dûwgâh — 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 dûwgâh, represented by H1729, translates as fishhook. Derived from a root meaning fishery, its definition specifies a hook for fishing. This term is exceptionally rare, appearing only 1 time in the entire Bible, within a single verse.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The sole use of H1729 is found in a prophecy of divine judgment in the book of Amos. The Lord GOD swears by His holiness that the people will be taken away, with their posterity being dragged away by fishhooks Amos 4:2. In this context, the word is part of a vivid and forceful image, depicting a humiliating and inescapable capture as a consequence of disobedience. It appears alongside another word for "hooks" to emphasize the severity of the coming exile.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of H1729:

  • H6793 tsinnâh (a hook; also a large shield): This word is used for "hooks" in the same verse, describing the instruments used to take away the people themselves Amos 4:2. While it can also mean shield, as seen in Psalms 5:12, its use here refers to a sharp, piercing implement of capture.
  • H5518 çîyr (a pot; also a fishhook): This word is directly paired with H1729 in Amos 4:2 to form the term "fishhooks." While its primary meaning is a pot or caldron, as used for cooking 2 Kings 4:38 or as temple vessels Zechariah 14:20, it also carries the secondary meaning of a fishhook, reinforcing the imagery of capture.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H1729 is concentrated entirely in its single, powerful appearance. It serves to illustrate several key concepts within the prophetic warning:

  • Severity of Judgment: The use of fishhooks to drag away the people's posterity conveys an image of extreme violence and complete subjugation. It highlights the inescapable nature of God's sworn judgment.
  • Humiliation in Captivity: Being led by hooks, as one would catch a fish, is a profoundly dehumanizing metaphor. It signifies the total loss of freedom and dignity that will accompany the people's exile.
  • Prophetic Warning: The term functions as a stark and memorable element in the Lord's oath. The specificity of the instrument—a fishhook—is meant to underscore the harsh reality of the punishment for their unholiness Amos 4:2.

Summary

In summary, H1729 is a specific and potent word for fishhook. Its singular biblical appearance in Amos 4:2 ensures its meaning is tied exclusively to the theme of divine judgment. Paired with H6793 and H5518, it creates an unforgettable image of forceful, humiliating captivity, serving as a powerful illustration of the consequences awaiting those who defy God's holiness.

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 noun 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.

  • דּוּגָה

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.

H6793 צִנָּה feminine of צֵן; a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if guarding by prickliness); also cold (as piercing); bu H5518 סִיר or (feminine) סִירָה; or סִרָה; (Jeremiah 52:18), from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot; also a thorn (as spri

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 Amos — 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.