Daniel Whedon 23. Dagon their god The name is derived from the Hebrew דג , dag, a fish, and the diminutive ending on with the sense of endearment “dear little fish,” (Gesenius.) According to Kimchi and most scholars this idol had a human head and arms and the body of a fish. He was the great national deity of the Philistines, but was worshipped under modified forms and names by other nations. He was the representative or symbol of all those life-giving forces of nature which produce their effects... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - Judges 16:23
23. Dagon their god The name is derived from the Hebrew דג , dag, a fish, and the diminutive ending on with the sense of endearment “dear little fish,” (Gesenius.) According to Kimchi and most scholars this idol had a human head and arms and the body of a fish. He was the great national deity of the Philistines, but was worshipped under modified forms and names by other nations. He was the representative or symbol of all those life-giving forces of nature which produce their effects... read more