Definition

Proper noun 1. A deity of agriculture and the earth: In ancient Semitic religion, Dagon was a god associated with fertility, grain, and the earth. 2. The national god of the Philistines: Dagon was the principal deity worshipped by the Philistine people, often depicted as having a fish-like form.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Philistines placed the captured armor of Saul in the temple of Dagon.
  • Archaeologists found inscriptions dedicated to Dagon, the god of grain.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Archaeological Context: The name "Dagon" appears in ancient texts and archaeological findings related to the Philistines and other Canaanite peoples.
  • The stele depicts an offering being made to Dagon.

Variants and Related Words

• Dagan: An earlier Mesopotamian deity, possibly a precursor or related figure to the Philistine Dagon.

Synonyms

• Fertility god
• Agricultural deity

Notes on Meaning

• The depiction of Dagon evolved. While later traditions (especially in biblical contexts) describe him as part-man, part-fish, earlier references emphasize his role as a god of agriculture and vegetation.

Noun

1. god of agriculture and the earth; national god of Philistines