The Hebrew sagan refers to a prefect, official, or deputy governor — a high-ranking administrative officer subordinate to the king. It is a loanword from Akkadian (šaknu) and appears in contexts of Babylonian and Assyrian administration, as well as in Ezra-Nehemiah for Persian officials and in Ezekiel for Judean officials.
The sagan appears prominently in the prophets' judgment oracles. Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all pronounce judgment on Israel's corrupt officials and rulers — the saganim who failed to shepherd the people. Ezekiel 23 is a sustained allegory in which Oholah and Oholibah (Samaria and Jerusalem) lusted after the Assyrian saganim. The misuse of administrative power — corruption, idolatry, violence — is precisely what brought judgment. The theme reminds leaders today that authority is stewardship, not ownership; God holds rulers accountable (Romans 13; Isaiah 10:1-4).