### 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.
TRV