Lexical Summary
maggephah: Plague, pestilence, slaughter
Original Word:מַגֵּפָה
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:maggephah
Pronunciation:mag-gay-FAH
Phonetic Spelling:(mag-gay-faw')
KJV: (X be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke
NASB:plague, slaughter, blow, calamity, plagued, plagues
Word Origin:[fromH5062 (נָגַף - defeated)]
1. a pestilence
2. by analogy, defeat
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
be plagued, slaughter, stroke
Fromnagaph; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat -- (X be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke.
see HEBREWnagaph
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
nagaphDefinitiona blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence
NASB Translationblow (1), calamity (1), plague (19), plagued (1), plagues (1), slaughter (3).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
; — absolute
Numbers 14:37 23t.; construct
Zechariah 14:15; plural suffix
Exodus 9:14; —
blow, = fatal strokeEzekiel 24:16; in divine judgment (plague)Exodus 9:14 (J).
slaughter in battle,1 Samuel 4:17;2 Samuel 17:9;2 Samuel 18:7.
plague, pestilence (divine judgment), of tumours on Philistines1 Samuel 6:4; against IsraelNumbers 14:37;Numbers 17:13;Numbers 17:14;Numbers 17:15;Numbers 25:8;Numbers 25:9;Numbers 25:18;Numbers 25:19;Numbers 31:16;2 Samuel 24:21;2 Samuel 24:25 (insert also2 Samuel 24:15 Th We Klo Dr Kit Bu),1 Chronicles 21:22;Psalm 106:29;Psalm 106:30; specifically disease of bowels 2Chronicles 21:14; = infected people1 Chronicles 21:17; wasting of flesh, eyes and tongue, of hostile peoplesZechariah 14:12,18; attacking beastsZechariah 14:15;Zechariah 14:15.
Topical Lexicon
Overviewמַגֵּפָה (magephah) designates a devastating “stroke” sent or permitted by God, expressed either as disease or as a crushing military defeat. The term speaks of a sudden visitation of judgment that cannot be explained merely by natural causes. Approximately twenty-six Old Testament passages employ the word, revealing a consistent theology of holiness, sin, divine wrath, and merciful atonement.
Range of Meaning and Distribution
1. Epidemic or pestilence inflicted by God (Exodus 9:14;Numbers 14:37; 16:46-50; 25:8-9; 31:16;2 Samuel 24:21-25;Psalm 106:29-30;1 Kings 8:37;2 Chronicles 6:28).
2. Sudden military rout or slaughter in battle (1 Samuel 4:10; 4:17;1 Samuel 19:8;2 Samuel 18:7;2 Kings 14:12).
The dual sense underscores that whether through pestilence or sword, “the LORD is known by the judgment He executes” (comparePsalm 9:16).
Plagues as Judicial Acts
Exodus 9:14 records Yahweh’s threat to unleash “all My plagues” upon Pharaoh, demonstrating His supremacy over Egypt’s gods. These strokes culminate in the death of the firstborn, yet Israel is preserved. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you; no plague will touch you to destroy you” (Exodus 12:13). The Passover thus becomes the archetype of substitutionary protection.
Unbelief and the Plague upon the Spies (Numbers 14:37)
The ten faithless spies “died by a plague before the LORD.” Their death contrasts with the survival of Joshua and Caleb, illustrating that unbelief in God’s promises provokes immediate covenant sanctions.
Rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:46-50)
When the earth swallowed the rebels, the people complained, and “the plague had begun among the people” (16:47). Aaron’s censer interposed between the living and the dead—an enduring picture of priestly mediation. Fourteen thousand seven hundred perished, yet the intercession foreshadowed the ultimate high-priestly work of Christ (Hebrews 7:25).
Idolatry at Peor (Numbers 25:8-9; 31:16;Joshua 22:17;Psalm 106:29-30)
Twenty-four thousand fell when Israel joined the Moabite cult. Phinehas’ zealous act “turned back the plague,” affirming that decisive holiness averts judgment. Later generations (Joshua 22:17) recall the event to warn against renewed idolatry.
The Census Plague (2 Samuel 24;1 Chronicles 21)
David’s unauthorized numbering of Israel reflected self-reliance. God sent “a plague on Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men fell” (2 Samuel 24:15). The angel was stayed at Araunah’s threshing floor where David built an altar. The site became the temple mount, testifying that worship grounded in sacrifice reconciles the nation to God.
Magephah in Military Contexts
1 Samuel 4:10 describes Israel’s disastrous loss to the Philistines, linking defeat to spiritual decay symbolized by the capture of the Ark. Similar language marks Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 18:7) and Amaziah’s humiliation by Jehoash (2 Kings 14:12), reminding readers that national security hinges on covenant fidelity, not martial strength.
Covenant Prayer for Mercy (1 Kings 8:37-40;2 Chronicles 6:28-31)
Solomon anticipates famine, siege, and “plague” and petitions: “Whatever plague or sickness there is… then hear from heaven Your dwelling place… and forgive” (1 Kings 8:38-39). The temple liturgy thus provides a framework for corporate repentance, a truth echoed in the prophetic call of2 Chronicles 7:13-14.
Theological Themes
1. Holiness: Magephah exposes sin’s seriousness; God will not overlook rebellion.
2. Atonement: Blood, incense, and zeal reveal substitutionary principles ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
3. Intercession: Leaders (Moses, Aaron, Phinehas, David) stand in the breach, prefiguring the Mediator.
4. Covenant Blessing and Curse: Obedience yields protection; disobedience brings the stroke.Psalm 91:10 promises, “No plague will come near your tent,” a conditional blessing resting on trust and closeness to the Almighty.
Ministry Applications
• Preach the gravity of sin. Magephah warns congregations against presuming on grace (Hebrews 10:26-31).
• Highlight Christ’s priestly work. Just as Aaron and Phinehas halted death, “there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
• Call for corporate repentance in times of crisis. Solomon’s prayer exemplifies how churches may intercede for their nations.
• Encourage personal holiness. Zeal like Phinehas’ is still required to stem moral contagion within the covenant community (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
• Offer comfort. Believers may claim covenant protection while recognizing God’s sovereignty over life and death (Philippians 1:20-21).
Summary
מַגֵּפָה serves as a sobering reminder that the God who saves also judges. Yet every stroke of magephah in the Tanakh ultimately directs the reader to the atoning mercy available through the greater Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice not only stays the plague but conquers death itself.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּמַגֵּפָ֑ה בַּמַּגֵּפָ֑ה בַּמַּגֵּפָ֔ה בַּמַּגֵּפָ֖ה במגפה הַמַּגֵּפָ֑ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֔ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֧ה הַמַּגֵּפָֽה׃ המגפה המגפה׃ וְהַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה והמגפה כַּמַּגֵּפָ֖ה כמגפה לְמַגֵּפָֽה׃ למגפה׃ מַגֵּפַ֣ת מַגֵּפָ֔ה מַגֵּפָ֥ה מַגֵּפָֽה׃ מַגֵּפֹתַי֙ מגפה מגפה׃ מגפת מגפתי bam·mag·gê·p̄āh bammaggeFah bammaggêp̄āh bə·mag·gê·p̄āh bemaggeFah bəmaggêp̄āh ham·mag·gê·p̄āh hammaggeFah hammaggêp̄āh kam·mag·gê·p̄āh kammaggeFah kammaggêp̄āh lə·mag·gê·p̄āh lemaggeFah ləmaggêp̄āh mag·gê·p̄āh mag·gê·p̄aṯ mag·gê·p̄ō·ṯay maggeFah maggeFat maggefoTai maggêp̄āh maggêp̄aṯ maggêp̄ōṯay vehammaggeFah wə·ham·mag·gê·p̄āh wəhammaggêp̄āh
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