Lexical Summary Age: Age, eternity, everlasting, forever, perpetual Original Word: אָגֵא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Agee Of uncertain derivation (compare 'Agag); Age, an Israelite -- Agee. see HEBREW 'Agag NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition the father of one of David's heroes NASB Translation Agee (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אָגֵא proper name, masculine (fugitive ?) father of a hero of David 2 Samuel 23:11 (insert also 1 Chronicles 11:13 DrSm). Topical Lexicon Overview Agee is named once in Scripture as the father of Shammah, one of the three chief warriors in David’s elite corps (2 Samuel 23:11). Though the text gives no personal exploits of Agee himself, the setting in which his son’s valor is recorded casts light on the family’s heritage of faith and courage. Biblical occurrence “Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered at Lehi, where there was a plot of ground full of lentils, and the troops fled from the Philistines.” (2 Samuel 23:11) Historical context David’s reign was marked by constant skirmishes with the Philistines. Lists of “the Three” and “the Thirty” (2 Samuel 23; 1 Chronicles 11) memorialize those whose bravery secured Israel’s borders and strengthened the monarchy. Agee’s son stands in this list, placing the family in the turbulent transition from Saul’s fractured kingdom to David’s consolidated rule. The title “Hararite” likely points to an origin in the highlands of Judah or Benjamin, regions that supplied many of David’s followers during his wilderness years. Genealogical significance Ancient Hebrew narratives frequently identify individuals through paternal lineage, underscoring the importance of heritage in covenant history. By naming Agee, the writer affirms that Shammah’s courage did not arise in a vacuum; it was rooted in a family whose identity and faith were sufficiently known to the chronicler and his audience. Agee’s inclusion also reminds readers that behind every celebrated figure stand unnamed mothers and fathers whose faithfulness shapes future generations (Proverbs 22:6). Shammah’s stand at Lehi The lentil field episode (2 Samuel 23:11–12) reveals the kind of upbringing Shammah likely received. While Israel’s troops retreated, Shammah “took his stand in the middle of the field, defended it, and struck down the Philistines; so the LORD brought about a great victory.” A father who cultivated a respect for the covenant God and the land’s produce may well have inspired such tenacity. The scene highlights that ordinary places—a field of lentils—become arenas for extraordinary faith when God’s people refuse compromise (Judges 3:31 parallels). Theological reflections 1. Covenant inheritance: The field symbolizes the portion God allotted to His people (Deuteronomy 11:24). Defending it honored the Lord’s promise. Ministry lessons • Nurturing courage: Parents and mentors today shape future “mighty men” and “mighty women” by modeling steadfast devotion amid cultural pressure. Related scriptural echoes • Shamgar’s oxgoad victory (Judges 3:31) illustrates similar lone courage. Summary Agee’s solitary appearance in Scripture demonstrates how God weaves individual families into the broader tapestry of redemption. Though silent in deed, his name endures alongside his son’s valor, reminding believers that faithful parenthood and steadfast heritage can leave an indelible mark on the kingdom of God. Forms and Transliterations אָגֵ֖א אגא ’ā·ḡê ’āḡê aGeLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Samuel 23:11 HEB: שַׁמָּ֥א בֶן־ אָגֵ֖א הָרָרִ֑י וַיֵּאָסְפ֨וּ NAS: the son of Agee a Hararite. KJV: the son of Agee the Hararite. INT: Shamma the son of Agee A Hararite were gathered |