מָגֵן
Magen
Shield, protector, defender
Magen (מָגֵן) is a Hebrew word meaning “shield, protector, defender,” pronounced “ma-GEN.” Derived from the root ג-נ-ן, magen appears 60 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H4043).
| Hebrew | מָגֵן |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Magen |
| Pronunciation | ma-GEN |
| Meaning | Shield, protector, defender |
| Root Letters | ג-נ-ן |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 60× |
| Key Verse | Genesis 15:1 |
| Strong's Number | H4043 |
| Category | Warfare & Victory |
The first time God speaks to Abraham after the covenant ceremony, He makes one of the most intimate declarations in Scripture: 'I am your magen (מָגֵן) — your shield' (Genesis 15:1). Not 'I will give you a shield,' but 'I AM your shield.' God Himself — not an object, not an army — is the protection of His people. This word becomes one of the most important theological titles for God in the Hebrew Bible. The Psalms call God 'magen' repeatedly (Psalm 3:3, 18:2, 84:11, 144:2). And the six-pointed Star of David is called 'Magen David' — the Shield of David — connecting national identity to divine protection. When Paul tells believers to take up 'the shield of faith' (Ephesians 6:16), he draws from this rich Hebrew imagery of God as the ultimate magen.
Key Bible Verse: Genesis 15:1
“After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: 'Fear not, Abram, I am your shield (magen); your reward shall be very great.'”
What Is the Root of Magen in Hebrew?
Magen comes from the root ג-נ-ן (gimel-nun-nun), meaning 'to cover, surround, defend.' It describes both a physical battle shield and divine protection — God surrounding and covering His people from harm.
What Does Magen Mean in the Bible?
Magen appears over 60 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes physical shields (2 Samuel 1:21), God as protector (Genesis 15:1, Psalm 3:3), and divine favor as a shield (Psalm 5:12). It is one of God's primary relational titles.
How Is Magen Used in Modern Hebrew?
The 'Magen David' appears on Israel's flag, adopted in 1948. The Amidah prayer concludes its first blessing with 'Magen Avraham' (Shield of Abraham), connecting every Jewish prayer to God's promise of protection.
How to Use Magen in Prayer & Worship
Declare God as your magen. When fear attacks, remember Genesis 15:1: 'Fear not, I am your shield.' God doesn't just send protection; He IS your protection. Take up the shield of faith to extinguish every fiery dart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Magen
How do you say “Shield” in Hebrew?
“Shield” in Hebrew is Magen (מָגֵן), pronounced “ma-GEN.” Magen comes from the root ג-נ-ן (gimel-nun-nun), meaning 'to cover, surround, defend.' It describes both a physical battle shield and divine protection — God surrounding and covering His people from harm.
What does Magen mean in the Bible?
Magen (מָגֵן) means “Shield, protector, defender” in Biblical Hebrew. Magen appears over 60 times in the Hebrew Bible. It describes physical shields (2 Samuel 1:21), God as protector (Genesis 15:1, Psalm 3:3), and divine favor as a shield (Psalm 5:12). It is one of God's primary relational titles.
How do you pronounce Magen?
Magen is pronounced “ma-GEN.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ג-נ-ן.
Why is the Star of David called 'Magen David'?
The six-pointed star symbol is called 'Magen David' (Shield of David). David declared, 'The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my magen' (2 Samuel 22:3). The name connects David's victories to God's protective power. The Shield of David represents divine protection over God's people.
What is the 'shield of faith' in Ephesians 6:16?
Paul says to take up 'the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.' The Roman scutum could be soaked in water to quench fire arrows. Similarly, faith in God's promises quenches every fiery attack — doubt, temptation, accusation. Faith is active trust in God as your magen.
How is God described as a shield in the Psalms?
The Psalms overflow with magen imagery. Psalm 3:3: 'You, LORD, are a shield around me.' Psalm 18:2: 'The LORD is my rock and my magen.' Psalm 84:11: 'The LORD God is a sun and shield.' Psalm 144:2: 'My lovingkindness and my fortress, my magen.'
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H4043: Magen
- Bible Gateway — Genesis 15:1 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ג-נ-ן
More Warfare & Victory Words
Explore other Hebrew words in the Warfare & Victory category
Related Hebrew Words
Learn a New Hebrew Word Every Day
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free