English · KJV
H5694

עָגִיל

ʻâgîyl /aw-gheel'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom the same as עָגֹל
Meaningsomething round, i.e. a ring (for the ears)
KJV usageearring.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâgîyl — 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 ʻâgîyl, represented by H5694, refers to something round, specifically an earring. Based on its root, it signifies a circular object worn in the ear. It appears just 2 times in 2 unique verses, highlighting its use as a specific type of personal adornment in significant scriptural contexts.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The word's usage illustrates its role in both human offerings to God and divine gifts to people. In Numbers 31:50, earrings H5694 are part of an oblation H7133 of gold H2091 brought before the LORD H3068 to make atonement H3722 for the souls of the people. Conversely, in Ezekiel 16:12, God symbolically adorns Jerusalem by putting earrings H5694 in her ears H241 as part of a display of divine favor that includes a beautiful H8597 crown H5850 upon her head H7218.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the context in which ʻâgîyl is found:

  • H2091 zâhâb (gold): The material of the earrings offered in Numbers 31:50. The definition is "from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold... gold(-en), fair weather." This underscores the value of the object.
  • H241 ʼôzen (ear): The specific body part where the earring is worn, defined as "broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)" Ezekiel 16:12.
  • H2885 ṭabbaʻath (ring): Another circular ornament listed alongside earrings in the offering for atonement, defined as "a ring of any kind" Numbers 31:50.
  • H5141 nezem (earring, jewel): A more general term for an ornament that can be an earring or a nose-ring. It is used in parallel with ʻâgîyl in the symbolic adornment of Jerusalem Ezekiel 16:12.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H5694 is demonstrated in its two appearances:

  • Worship and Atonement: In Numbers 31:50, the giving of earrings is part of a voluntary oblation H7133 used to make atonement H3722 for the soul H5315. This connects a personal possession of value directly to an act of reconciliation with God.
  • Divine Favor and Honor: In Ezekiel 16:12, God bestows earrings upon Jerusalem as a sign of His covenant love and His desire to make her beautiful and glorious. The act of adornment symbolizes His blessing and elevation of His people.

Summary

In summary, while ʻâgîyl H5694 is a rare word, its context is rich with meaning. It is not merely a piece of jewelry but an object of significant spiritual transaction. It functions as both a valuable item given up by humanity for the purpose of atonement Numbers 31:50 and as a gift from God to signify honor and beauty Ezekiel 16:12, illustrating how physical objects can represent profound spiritual realities.

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 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — 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.

  • עֲגִילִים
  • עָגִיל

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.

H7133 קׇרְבָּן or קֻרְבָּן; from קָרַב; something brought near the altar, i.e. a sacrificial present; oblation, that is offered, offeri H2091 זָהָב from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky; g H3068 יְהֹוָה from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹו H3722 כָּפַר a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel; appea H241 אֹזֶן from אָזַן; broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man); [phrase] advertise, audience, [phrase] displease, H8597 תִּפְאָרָה or תִּפְאֶרֶת; from פָּאַר; ornament (abstractly or concretely, literally or figuratively); beauty(-iful), bravery, come

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

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Numbers and Ezekiel (1 verse each); never once in the other 37.

1
Numbers
1
Ezekiel

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.