Topical Encyclopedia
The term "plagued" in the Bible often refers to the afflictions or calamities sent by God as a form of judgment or discipline. These plagues serve as divine interventions to correct, instruct, or punish individuals or nations. The concept of being plagued is deeply rooted in the narrative of God's sovereignty and justice, as well as His mercy and desire for repentance.
Old Testament Context1.
The Plagues of Egypt: The most prominent example of plagues in the Bible is the ten plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. These plagues were a direct response to Pharaoh's refusal to release the Israelites from bondage. Each plague demonstrated God's power over the Egyptian gods and served as a sign of His covenant with Israel. The plagues included turning water into blood, infestations of frogs, gnats, and flies, the death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12). These events are pivotal in understanding God's deliverance and judgment.
2.
Plagues as Punishment for Sin: Throughout the Old Testament, plagues are often depicted as consequences of sin or disobedience. For instance, in
Numbers 16:46-50, a plague broke out among the Israelites as a result of Korah's rebellion, and it was only stopped by Aaron's atonement. Similarly, in
Numbers 25:9, a plague struck the Israelites due to their idolatry and immorality with the Moabites, resulting in the death of 24,000 people.
3.
David's Census: In
2 Samuel 24 and
1 Chronicles 21, King David's decision to conduct a census of Israel led to a plague as a divine punishment. David's act was seen as a lack of trust in God's provision and protection. The plague resulted in the death of 70,000 men, and it was halted only after David offered sacrifices to God.
New Testament Context1.
Symbolic Plagues in Revelation: The Book of Revelation contains symbolic references to plagues as part of the apocalyptic visions. These plagues are part of the judgments poured out upon the earth during the end times.
Revelation 15:1 mentions "seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is completed." These plagues serve as a call to repentance and a demonstration of God's ultimate authority over creation.
2.
Spiritual Implications: In the New Testament, the concept of being plagued can also be understood in a spiritual sense. Jesus' healing of those afflicted by diseases and demonic oppression can be seen as a liberation from spiritual plagues. For example, in
Mark 5:25-34, the woman with the issue of blood is healed by her faith in Jesus, illustrating the power of Christ to overcome both physical and spiritual afflictions.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, plagues in the Bible underscore the themes of divine justice, mercy, and the call to repentance. They remind believers of the seriousness of sin and the need for obedience to God's commandments. At the same time, they highlight God's willingness to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him. The narrative of plagues serves as a powerful testament to God's control over the natural and spiritual realms, affirming His role as the righteous judge and compassionate redeemer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Plague.
Strong's Hebrew
4046. maggephah -- a blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence... Word Origin from nagaph Definition a blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence NASB Word
Usage blow (1), calamity (1), plague (19),
plagued (1), plagues (1
...5062. nagaph -- to strike, smite
... root Definition to strike, smite NASB Word Usage beaten (1), defeated (17), hurts
(1),plagued (1), routed (4), smite (3), smites (1), smote (3), strike (7...
5060. naga -- to touch, reach, strike
... 6), cast (1), casts (1), close (2), come (2), draw near (1), drawn near (1), drew
near (1), follows (1), happened (1), happens (2),plagued (1), pretended to...
Library
Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... For they have no regard for death, [3959] but their strength is firm. They are not
in trouble as other men are; neither are theyplagued like other men....
Evil Thoughts.
... They are like flies. Pharaoh, King of Egypt, wasplagued with flies.... Now look at
your evil thoughts, you who areplagued with a swarm of them....
The Present Life as Related to the Future.
... They are not in trouble as other men; neither are theyplagued like other men.... For
all day long have I beenplagued, and chastened every morning" (Psalm 73)....
The Duty of Remembering the Poor
... people, just to plague the devil. The devil was never moreplagued in his
life, I think, than he was with Job. As long as Job was...
Salvation from Sin.
... I presume there is scarce a human being who, resolved to speak openly, would not
confess to having something thatplagued him, something from which he would...
Book Five a Year of Decision. ...
... The unrighteous stumble against thee that they may be justlyplagued, fleeing from
thy gentleness and colliding with thy justice, and falling on their own...
God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... continually in hell. On the contrary, "they are not in trouble as other men
are, neither are theyplagued like other men. Their eyes...
Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... Cyprian, in Reply to Demetrianus the Proconsul of Africa, Who Contended that the
Wars, and Famine, and Pestilence with Which the World Was ThenPlagued Must Be...
Of Good Works.
... righteousness. Heretofore consciences wereplagued with the doctrine of
works, they did not hear the consolation from the Gospel....
The Present Recompense
... For there are no bands in their death; but their strength is firm. They are not
in trouble as other men; neither are theyplagued like other men. . . ....
Thesaurus
Plagued (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Plagued (10 Occurrences). Genesis 12:17 Yahweh
plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram's wife.
...Stricken (32 Occurrences)
... place of beholders. (YLT). Psalms 73:5 They are free from burdens of men, neither
are theyplagued like other men. (See RSV). Psalms 73...
Sarai (13 Occurrences)
... The earthly majesty of Pharaoh had to bow before the divine majesty, whichplagued
him and secured the stranger's exodus, thus foreshadowing those later...
Plague (142 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 32:35 And the LORDplagued the
people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. (Root in KJV YLT RSV NIV)...
Whale (2 Occurrences)
... was but the wild, stormy sea itself, wound itself around the land, and threatened
to swallow it up...Job inquires if he must be watched andplagued like this...
Wickedly (34 Occurrences)
... Please let your hand, O Yahweh my God, be against me, and against my father's
house; but not against your people, that they should beplagued....
Ills (2 Occurrences)
... him out of them all. (See JPS). Psalms 73:5 They are free from burdens of
men, neither are theyplagued like other men. (See NIV)....
Fig-tree (33 Occurrences)
... Israelites complained that the wilderness was "no place of seed, or of figs, or
of vines, or of pomegranates" (Numbers 20:5). When Egypt wasplagued, the fig...
Fig (45 Occurrences)
... Israelites complained that the wilderness was "no place of seed, or of figs, or
of vines, or of pomegranates" (Numbers 20:5). When Egypt wasplagued, the fig...
Figtree
... Israelites complained that the wilderness was "no place of seed, or of figs, or
of vines, or of pomegranates" (Numbers 20:5). When Egypt wasplagued, the fig...
Resources
Should a Christian promote world peace? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the problem of good? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about stepparenting / step-parenting? | GotQuestions.orgPlagued: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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