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נָגַן H5059
H5059 is the Hebrew word נָגַן, transliterated nâgan and said naw-gan'. The King James Version most often renders it played.
What it means
properly, to thrum, i.e. beat atune with the fingers; expectation. to play on astringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music.
Where it comes from
a primitive root.
How the King James Version translates it
Across 15 tagged occurrences, counted from this edition's word index.
Strong's own list of renderings: player on instruments, sing to the stringed instruments, melody, ministrel, play(-er, -ing).
Verses using נָגַן
All 12 verses, quoted in full.
1 Samuel 16:16 · KJV
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 16:17 · KJV
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
1 Samuel 16:18 · KJV
Then 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.
1 Samuel 16:23 · KJV
And 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 18:10 · KJV
And 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 19:9 · KJV
And 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.
2 Kings 3:15 · KJV
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
Psalm 33:3 · KJV
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Psalm 68:25 · KJV
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
Isaiah 23:16 · KJV
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 38:20 · KJV
The 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.
Ezekiel 33:32 · KJV
And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.
Common questions
What does Strong's H5059 mean?
H5059 is the Hebrew word נָגַן (nâgan), meaning properly, to thrum, i.e. beat atune with the fingers; expectation. to play on astringed instrument; hence (generally), to make music.
How is H5059 translated in the King James Version?
The King James translators rendered it played (4 times), play (2 times), player (1 time), can play (1 time), playing (1 time), among others.
How many times does H5059 appear in the Bible?
נָגַן (nâgan) is tagged in 12 verses of the King James Version in this edition's word index.
Where does H5059 come from?
Strong's gives its derivation as: a primitive root.
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