Hagab

Hagab is a minor figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Ezra (Ezra 2:46). The name means "locust" in Hebrew, likely referencing the insect known for its swarming behavior. In biblical onomastics, such names often drew from nature, animals, or everyday objects, and "Hagab" fits this pattern. He is listed among the temple servants (Nethinim) who returned from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem under Zerubbabel. The Nethinim were a group assigned to assist the Levites in the temple, and their names are recorded in genealogical lists. No further details are provided about Hagab in the biblical text, making him a figure of minimal notability beyond his inclusion in these registers.

Etymology and Variants

The name Hagab derives from the Hebrew root חגב (ḥagav), meaning "locust." Its original Hebrew form is Chagav. In the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate, the name appears as Agabos and Agabus, respectively. These variants reflect transliteration differences across languages. Notably, Agabus appears in the New Testament as a prophet (Acts 11:28), but that individual is separate from the Old Testament Hagab.

Key Facts

• Biblical figure, temple servant in Ezra 2:46
• Hebrew name meaning "locust"
• Usage: English Bible