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DAGON

(Heb. dāgôn)

A major West Semitic deity who became the national god of the Philistines after their arrival in Canaan. Dagon’s character remains disputed. One portrayal of Dagon as fish-god arose from a folk etymology based on Heb. dāg, “fish.” Another suggests Dagon as god of grain (dāgān), the latter word taken from the deity’s name or vice versa. Yet another view sees such a fertility aspect as derived from Dagon’s primary role as a storm-god and reconstructs an etymology for the name based on Arab. dagana, “to be gloomy, cloudy.”

Dagon, whose name is commonly attested in theophoric names of the 3rd millennium b.c.e., is recognized in the inscription of Sargon of Akkad as the chief deity of upper Mesopotamia during that period (ANET, 268), an association that persists a millennium later at Ugarit, where he is called “Dagan of Tuttul.” Dagon figures prominently at 3rd-millennium Ebla (Syria) and during the Mari period (early 2nd millennium). While Dagon is virtually absent from Ugaritic mythology, his name appears in offering lists and dedications, and a major temple of the city has been tentatively identified as his.

Early worship of Dagon by the Canaanites, from whom the Philistines inherited their god, is reflected in the place name Beth-dagon. 1 Sam. 5:1-7 portrays Dagon as the national deity of the Philistines, represented by a cult statue and served by priests in his temple at Ashdod. In Judg. 16:23-24 the Philistines celebrate a festival honoring Dagon, whom they credit with delivering up their enemy Samson. The Philistines display Saul’s head in a temple of Dagon, located perhaps in Beth-shean (1 Chr. 10:10; cf. 1 Sam. 31:10). Dagon, who was still worshipped at his temple in Ashdod during the 2nd century, outlived the Philistines (1 Macc. 10:83).

Bibliography. D. E. Fleming, “Baal and Dagan in Ancient Syria,” ZA 83 (1993): 88-98; J. F. Healey, “The Underworld Character of the God Dagan,” JNSL 5 (1977): 43-51; F. J. Montalbano, “Canaanite Dagon: Origin, Nature,” CBQ 13 (1951): 381-97; N. Wyatt, “The Relationship of the Deities Dagan and Hadad,” UF 12 (1980): 375-79.

Joel Burnett

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

DAGON

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)