Strong's H5059 · Hebrew
נָגַן
nâgan · /naw-gan'/
Definition
properly, to thrum, i.e. beat atune with the fingers; expectation. to play on astringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music
KJV: player on instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play(-er, -ing).
Root / derivation: a primitive root;
KJV usage breakdown
How the Authorized (KJV) translators rendered נָגַן across 12 verses.
Every occurrence (KJV)
12 verses use this word, grouped by book — the translated form is highlighted.
1 Samuel6 verses
Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
1 Samuel 16:17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
1 Samuel 16:18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. matters: or, speech
1 Samuel 16:23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
1 Samuel 18:10And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
1 Samuel 19:9And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.
Psalms2 verses
Isaiah2 verses
Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered.
Isaiah 38:20The LORD was ready to save me: therefore we will sing my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of the LORD.
Topics that use this word
Frequently asked questions
What does Strong's H5059 (nâgan) mean?
properly, to thrum, i.e. beat atune with the fingers; expectation. to play on astringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music
How many times does H5059 appear in the Bible?
Strong's H5059 (נָגַן) appears in 12 verses of the King James Version, most often translated “played.”
How is nâgan translated in the KJV?
In the KJV, Strong's H5059 is rendered as “played” (4×), “play” (3×), “instruments” (2×), “minstrel” (2×), among other words.
Where does the Hebrew word נָגַן come from?
a primitive root;