Topical Encyclopedia
The term "pestilent" is often associated with disease, plague, or anything that is destructive and harmful. In the biblical context, it is frequently used to describe plagues or calamities that serve as divine judgments or warnings. The concept of pestilence is deeply rooted in the narrative of God's interaction with humanity, often as a consequence of sin or disobedience.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, pestilence is frequently mentioned as a tool of divine retribution. For instance, in the book of Exodus, God sends plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. These plagues, which include pestilence, demonstrate God's power and serve as a judgment against the false gods of Egypt (
Exodus 9:3).
The book of Leviticus also addresses pestilence in the context of covenant blessings and curses. In
Leviticus 26:25, God warns the Israelites that if they disobey His commandments, He will "bring a sword against you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy."
Similarly, in
Deuteronomy 28:21, as part of the curses for disobedience, it is stated, "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land that you are entering to possess."
Prophetic WritingsThe prophets also speak of pestilence as a form of divine judgment. In
Jeremiah 21:6, God declares, "I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague." This serves as a warning to the people of Judah about the impending Babylonian invasion and the consequences of their persistent idolatry and rebellion.
Ezekiel, another major prophet, frequently mentions pestilence in his warnings to Israel. In
Ezekiel 14:21, God says, "For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to cut off both man and beast from it!"
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the term "pestilent" is less frequently used, but the concept of pestilence as a sign of the end times is present. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warns of future calamities, including pestilences, as signs preceding His return. In
Luke 21:11, He states, "There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven."
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, pestilence in the Bible is often seen as a manifestation of God's justice and a call to repentance. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for humanity to turn back to God. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as sovereign over all creation, including the forces of nature, and pestilence is one of the means by which He executes His will and purposes.
ConclusionWhile the Bible presents pestilence as a form of divine judgment, it also offers hope and redemption. The call to repentance and the promise of restoration are central themes throughout Scripture. In times of pestilence, believers are encouraged to seek God's mercy, trust in His sovereignty, and remain steadfast in faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Tending to cause death or disease; noxious; pernicious; mischievous.
Greek
3061. loimos -- pestilence, a pest... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: loimos Phonetic Spelling: (loy'-mos) Short Definition:
a pestilence Definition: (a) a pestilence, (b) a
pestilent fellow.
...Library
He Describes thePestilent Error of the Pelagian.
... Book I. Chapter III. He describes thepestilent error of the Pelagian. At
any rate we think that this fact ought not to be omitted...
How the Errors of Later Heretics have Been Condemned and Refuted...
... But that we may not be thought to have prejudged the case against them instead of
fairly judging it, we will produce their actualpestilent assertions, or...
Scriptural Instances Wherein it is Proved that God Has Men's Wills...
... men, whose hearts the Lord touched. Andpestilent children said, Who shall
save us? This man? And they despised him, and brought...
A Copy of the Letter of Constantius against Athanasius.
... For while thatpestilent fellow Athanasius is driven from place to place, being
convicted of the basest crimes, for which he would only suffer the punishment...
Psalm I.
... There must, therefore, be a distinction between the ungodly and the sinner, between
the sinner and thepestilent; chiefly because here the ungodly has a counsel...
Acts xxiii. 31, 32, 33
... For we have found this man apestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all
the Jews throughout the world." (a) As a revolutionary and seditious person he...
Introduction.
... Cursed Iesabel of England, with thepestilent and detestable generation of papistes,
make no litle bragge and boast, that they haue triumphed not only against...
The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... perverter of the people, one that spake against Caesar, and forbade to give tribute:
when the apostles were charged with beingpestilent, turbulent, factious...
"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory...
... suggestions of an imaginary wisdom and happiness, "You shall be as gods knowing
good and evil." And truly this poison is so strong andpestilent, that having...
To Alexander, Bishop of the City of Constantinople.
... Concealing, therefore, theirpestilent doctrine by their specious and flattering
discourse, they circumvent the more simple-minded and such as are open to fraud...
Thesaurus
Pestilent (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Tending to cause death or disease; noxious; pernicious;
mischievous. Multi-Version Concordance
Pestilent (1 Occurrence).
...Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "vile fellows"; compare 2 Samuel 6:20, "vain (req)
fellows" (supplied); APC 1Macc 10:61, "containpestilent fellows" (aner...
Ring-leader (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this apestilent man, and a mover of sedition among
all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the...
Mover (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man apestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the...
Pest (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man apestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the...
Pestle (1 Occurrence)
Pestilence (57 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fig.: That which ispestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character
of great numbers. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PESTILENCE....
Pestilences (2 Occurrences)
Sedition (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man apestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the...
Graecia
... Eastern Greece consists of a series of somewhat considerable basins, which become
lakes in winter and arepestilent marshes in summer, except where Nature or...
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