Original Word: אַגָּף
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: aggaph
Pronunciation: ah-hah-VAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-gawf')
KJV: bands
NASB: troops
Word Origin: [probably from H5062 (נָגַף - defeated) (through the idea of impending)]

1. a cover or heap
2. i.e. (only plural) wings of an army, or crowds of troops

bands

Probably from nagaph (through the idea of impending); a cover or heap; i.e. (only plural) wings of an army, or crowds of troops -- bands.

see HEBREW nagaph

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a band, army
NASB Translation
troops (7).

[אֲגַף] noun [masculine] band, army (loan-word, originally wing of army; Assyrian agappu, Aramaic אגף, wing. Others, from גפ֩ף, Sta^{§ 256 b}) — All Ezekiel & all plural (or dual ?) אֲגַמֶּיךָ Ezekiel 38:9; Ezekiel 39:4; אֲגַמָּיו Ezekiel 12:14 3t; אֲגַמֶּיהָ Ezekiel 38:6 (all with כָּלֿ except Ezekiel 38:22) — bands, armies of king of Judah Ezekiel 12:14; Ezekiel 17:21; hordes (RV) of Gog Ezekiel 38:9,22; Ezekiel 39:4; specifically of גֹּמֶר Ezekiel 38:6; of תּוֺגַרְמָה ib.

Concept and Figurative Sense

The term denotes a “wing” or “flank,” but Ezekiel consistently employs it as a military metaphor for troops that extend outward from, or give support to, a central force. Like the outstretched pinions of a bird, these supporting companies broaden the reach of an army and enable swift movement. The imagery thus communicates both magnitude and vulnerability: a force may spread its “wings” widely, yet the same wings can be broken or scattered when the LORD acts in judgment.

Occurrences in Ezekiel

1. Ezekiel 12:14 – Concerning Zedekiah: “I will scatter to every wind all those around him to help him, as well as all his troops, and I will draw a sword behind them.”
2. Ezekiel 17:21 – Of the Babylonian siege: “All his choice troops will fall by the sword, and those who survive will be scattered to every wind.”
3. Ezekiel 38:6 – The allied hordes of Gog: “Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—many nations with you.”
4. Ezekiel 38:9 – “You and all your troops and the many peoples with you will advance, coming on like a cloud.”
5. Ezekiel 38:22 – Divine retribution: “I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones, and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many peoples with him.”
6. Ezekiel 39:4 – The final downfall: “On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the peoples with you.”

(The word occurs twice in Ezekiel 38:6, bringing the total to seven.)

Historical Setting

In chapters 12 and 17, the prophet addresses the political crisis of Judah’s final king. Zedekiah’s attempts to secure military help from surrounding nations formed “wings” of resistance against Babylon, yet the LORD foretold that these very contingents would be scattered. The later chapters (38–39) shift the spotlight to an eschatological invader—Gog—whose vast multinational host also possesses extensive “wings.” Thus, from Judah’s immediate history to the distant future, the word spans both near and far horizons of judgment.

Theological Significance

1. Sovereignty of God over military might: Whether Babylonian, Judean, or eschatological, armies remain subject to the LORD’s decree. Their wings cannot carry them beyond His reach.
2. The futility of human alliances: The scattering of Zedekiah’s supporting units underscores the danger of trusting political coalitions in place of covenant obedience.
3. Ultimate victory for the covenant people: The destruction of Gog’s wings prefigures the final safety of Israel and, by extension, the triumph of God’s redemptive plan.

Ministry Applications

• Dependence on divine protection over human strength: Congregations may draw comfort from Ezekiel’s repeated assertion that earthly “wings” are no refuge compared with the shelter provided by the Almighty.
• Warning against misplaced confidence: Leaders are cautioned not to rest security in numbers, finances, or alliances but to seek the favor of the LORD.
• Assurance of eschatological hope: As God dismantles the hostile wings of Gog, believers are reminded that all opposition to God’s kingdom will ultimately fall.

Related Themes

• “Scattering to every wind” parallels Genesis 11 and Deuteronomy 28, linking Ezekiel’s language to earlier covenant warnings.
• “Wing” imagery connects to Psalm 91:4 and Matthew 23:37, where God’s own wings offer protection, contrasting human wings that cannot stand.

אֲגַפֶּ֔יהָ אֲגַפֶּ֔יךָ אֲגַפָּ֑יו אֲגַפָּ֔יו אֲגַפָּ֖יו אֲגַפָּיו֙ אגפיה אגפיו אגפיך ’ă·ḡap·pāw ’ă·ḡap·pe·hā ’ă·ḡap·pe·ḵā ’ăḡappāw ’ăḡappehā ’ăḡappeḵā agapPav agapPeicha agapPeihaInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts