DAGON

(Heb. 31, dag, a fish.) One of the principal divinities of the ancient Phoenicians and Syrians, and more especially of the Philistines. The origin, attributes, and even the sex of this divinity, are all wrapt in the most profound obscurity; but the sacred writers concur in a igning to him such a degree of authority as must place him on a level with the Jupiter of the Greeks and Romans. The reverence in which he was held by the Philistines, and the remarkable circumstances attending his downfall, will be found fully detailed in Judges, c. 16., and 1 Samuel, c. v.; but we cannot refrain from transferring to our pages Milton's graphic sketch of the leading features of his history: — Next came one Who mourned in earnest when the captive ark Maimed his brute image, head and hands lopt off" In his own temple, on the grunsel edge, When he fell flat, and shamed his worshippers •. Dagon his name, sea monster, upward man And downward fish; yet had his temple high Reared in Azotus, dreaded through the coast Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, And Accaron and Gaza's frontier bounds. The Satnson Agonistes, as is well known, exhibits the great importance of this divinity; and the — — solemn feasts, ^Vith sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games, celebrated to his honour by the Philistines. [s. 326]