DAGON, a native Semitic deity, adopted by the Philistines after their settlement in Canaan (Judg. xvi. 21, 23 ; I Sam. v. 1; cf. Josh. xv. 41, I Chron. x. 1 o, 1 Ma cc. x. 83, 84, xi. 4) . Identical with the Babylonian god Dagan. The name popularly connected with the Hebrew word dag, "fish," more closely resembles dagan, "corn," and either the name of the deity came to be used to de note "corn," or it has the more general meaning of "food." See Robertson Smith, Rel. of the Semites, 3rd ed. p. 578. Little is known of the cult of this god.