Boy Old Testament Known
Doeg
careful, who acts with uneasiness
דֹּאֵג do.eg
Doeg (Hebrew: דֹּאֵג, do.eg) means “careful, who acts with uneasiness”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 6 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In United States birth records the name is below the reporting threshold. Appears with Abiathar in 1 Samuel 22.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Doeg
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 6 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- Old
- Era
- United Monarchy
Using it today
In United States birth records this name is below the reporting threshold. The Social Security Administration does not publish counts under five, so a name given to four children looks the same as one given to none.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | 1 Samuel 21:7 |
| Last appears | Psalms 52:1 |
| Cross-references | 132 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Ahimelech co-occurrence Appears with Ahimelech in Psalms 52.
- Ahitub co-occurrence Appears with Ahitub in 1 Samuel 22.
- Saul co-occurrence Appears with Saul in 1 Samuel 22.
- Abiathar co-occurrence Appears with Abiathar in 1 Samuel 22.
- Jesse co-occurrence Appears with Jesse in 1 Samuel 22.
- Goliath co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Goliath.
- Gad co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Gad.
- Achish co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Achish.
Origin & meaning
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.21.7
§ Doeg = "fearing"
an Edomite, chief of Saul's herdsmen, who slew all the priests
Doeg the Edomite, Saul's chief shepherd, witnessed David receiving help from Ahimelech and later betrayed him to Saul, resulting in the massacre of the priests at Nob.
The biblical story
Doeg the Edomite was a chief shepherd in the service of King Saul. He first appears in 1Sa.21.7, where he is described as the chief herdsman of Saul and is present at the tabernacle in Nob when David arrives seeking help from the priest Ahimelech.
Later, in 1 Samuel 22, Doeg plays a crucial role in the events that follow. When Saul learns that Ahimelech had assisted David, he summons the priests to appear before him. Doeg, being present at the time, informs Saul that he had seen David receiving help from Ahimelech (1Sa.22.9-10).
Acting on Saul's orders, Doeg kills 85 priests who were wearing the linen ephod, as well as the entire city of Nob, including men, women, children, and livestock (1Sa.22.18-19). This massacre highlights Doeg's ruthless obedience to Saul and his willingness to carry out violent acts against innocent people.
Doeg's actions are condemned in Psalm 52, which is attributed to David. The psalm describes Doeg as a deceitful and evil man who loves falsehood and delights in destruction (Psalm 1Sa.52.1-4). The psalmist expresses confidence that God will bring judgment upon Doeg and that the righteous will ultimately prevail (Psalm 1Sa.52.5-9).
Doeg's story serves as an example of the dangers of misplaced loyalty and the consequences of aligning oneself with those who oppose God's chosen leaders. His betrayal of David and his role in the massacre at Nob stand in stark contrast to the faithfulness and righteousness exemplified by David and Ahimelech.
Key verses
Doeg appears in 5 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Now a certain man of the servants of Saul was there that day, detained before the Lord; and his name was Doeg, an Edomite, the chiefest of the herdmen that belonged to Saul.
1 Samuel 21:7 -
Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub.
1 Samuel 22:9 -
And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
1 Samuel 22:18 -
And David said unto Abiathar, I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father’s house.
1 Samuel 22:22 -
Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
Psalms 52:1
Show all 5 references
1 Samuel (4)
- 1 Samuel 21:7
- 1 Samuel 22:9
- 1 Samuel 22:18
- 1 Samuel 22:22
Psalms (1)
- Psalms 52:1