Agagite
The term Agagite (
According to Cheyne and Black, this term is used to label Haman, figuratively, as a "descendant" of
A well known
References
- ^ a b Cheyne and Black (1899), Encyclopaedia Biblica, entry for "Agagite." [1]
- New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
- ^ Reliable sources include this one:
"Who Were Amalek and the Amalekites?". (on Chabad dot org). Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
(from the "Chabad dot org" website) -- which is itself replete with footnotes. See e.g. the superscript numbers 10 through 13 in the "quote" field above -- [which are "expanded on" somewhat, here below]. It says that (or ... it explains "the sense in which") Agagites can be seen as both genetically [literally] and figuratively "descendants" of Amalek. Among the footnotes in that "chabad dot org" web page -- from which a portion of it is "</blockquote>d" above -- one can find these four "footnote" references to (biblical or 'commentary') sources:The mitzvah to destroy Amalek implies that no trace of Amalek's existence could be left.10 "Nothing," explain the sages, "could serve as a reminder of Amalek's name—not even an animal about which it could be said, 'This animal belonged to Amalek.'"11
The first Jewish king, Saul, was commanded by the prophet Samuel to finally wipe out Amalek. Saul was victorious against the Amalekites, but spared the choicest of their flocks and the Amalekite king, Agag.
When Samuel found out about Saul's disobedience, Saul lost his right to kingship. Samuel then killed Agag himself.12
However, before he was killed, Agag sired a child who would keep Amalek's lineage alive. Some 500 years later, one of this child's descendants was Haman the (Agag)ite, of Purim fame.13- [10] "I Samuel 15:3."
- [11] "Rashi, [on] Deuteronomy 25:19."
- [12] "I Samuel 15."
and
- [13] "Esther Rabbah, Petichta 7." (Even if this source is not found on the "chabad dot org" web site, -- as "[10]" and "[12]" were -- it can be "looked up" at e.g. https://www.sefaria.org/Esther_Rabbah%2C_Petichta.7?lang=bi instead.) Note that the source referenced here ('Esther Rabbah') is considered to be a Midrashic source.