Jump to: Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Pestilence, often synonymous with plague or disease, is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing divine judgment, warning, and the consequences of sin. It is frequently depicted as a tool used by God to execute His will, particularly in the context of punishment and repentance.Old Testament References In the Old Testament, pestilence is often associated with God's judgment against nations and individuals who have turned away from His commandments. One of the earliest mentions is found in the context of the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:15, God warns Pharaoh through Moses, "For by now I could have stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth." Here, pestilence is portrayed as a divine instrument to compel obedience and demonstrate God's power. The book of Leviticus outlines the consequences of disobedience to God's laws, including pestilence. Leviticus 26:25 states, "And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance 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." This passage underscores the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where pestilence serves as a corrective measure for covenant violations. In 2 Samuel 24:15, pestilence is sent as a punishment for David's sin of conducting a census: "So the LORD sent a plague upon Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men of the people died, from Dan to Beersheba." This event highlights the seriousness of sin and the swift justice of God. Prophetic Warnings The prophets frequently warned of pestilence as a consequence of national sin and rebellion. In Jeremiah 21:6, God declares, "I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast, and they will die in a terrible plague." Similarly, Ezekiel 14:21 lists pestilence among the four severe judgments God would send upon Jerusalem: "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 Context In the New Testament, pestilence is mentioned in the context of eschatological events. Jesus, in His Olivet Discourse, warns of pestilences as part of the signs of the end times. 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." This indicates that pestilence will be one of the many trials preceding His second coming. Symbolism and Theological Implications Pestilence in the Bible is not merely a physical ailment but often carries a deeper spiritual significance. It serves as a reminder of human mortality, the consequences of sin, and the need for repentance. The presence of pestilence calls believers to examine their lives, seek God's mercy, and return to His ways. Throughout Scripture, pestilence is a manifestation of God's sovereignty over creation, demonstrating that He is in control of both blessings and judgments. It is a call to faithfulness, urging individuals and nations to align with God's will and to trust in His provision and protection. Smith's Bible Dictionary Pestilence[PLAGUE, THE, THE] ATS Bible Dictionary PestilenceOr PLAGUE, in the Hebrew tongue, as in most others, expresses all sorts of distempers and calamitites. The Hebrew word which properly signifies "the plague" is extended to all epidemical and contagious diseases. The prophets generally connect together the sword, the pestilence, and the famine, as three evils, which usually accompany each other. The glandular plague, which in modern times has proved so fatal in the East, is the most virulent and contagious of diseases. In the fourteenth century it overran Europe, Asia, and Africa, and 25,000,000 are estimated to have died of it within three years. Like the Asiatic cholera, it is one of the most appalling scourges sin has brought on this world; and may in this point of view correspond with the "plagues" referred to in the Bible, Exodus 9:14 11:1 1Ki 8:37. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A raging epidemic; specifically, the bubonic plague; hence, any contagious or infectious epidemic disease that is virulent and devastating.2. (n.) Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PESTILENCEpes'-ti-lens (debher; loimos): Any sudden fatal epidemic is designated by this word, and in its Biblical use it generally indicates that these are divine visitations. The word is most frequently used in the prophetic books, and it occurs 25 times in Jeremiah and Ezekiel, always associated with the sword and famine. In 4 other passages it is combined with noisome or evil beasts, or war. In Amos 4:10 this judgment is compared with the plagues of Egypt, and in Habakkuk 3:5 it is a concomitant of the march of God from the Arabian mountain. There is the same judicial character associated with pestilence in Exodus 5:3; Exodus 9:15 Leviticus 26:25 Numbers 14:12 Deuteronomy 28:21 2 Samuel 24:21; 1 Chronicles 21:12 Ezekiel 14:19, 21. In the dedication prayer of Solomon, a special value is besought for such petitions against pestilence as may be presented toward the temple (2 Chronicles 6:28). Such a deliverance is promised to those who put their trust in God (Psalm 91:6). Here the pestilence is called noisome, a shortened form of "annoysome," used in the sense of "hateful" or that which causes trouble or distress. In modern English it has acquired the sense of loathsome. "Noisome" is used by Tyndale where the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) have "hurtful" in 1 Timothy 6:9. Acts 19:8 the King James Version writes "persuading the things" (the Revised Version (British and American) "as to the things") for "present the things persuasively." And in Galatians 1:10 (the English Revised Version and the King James Version, not in the American Standard Revised Version) and 2 Corinthians 5:11, there is a half-ironic force in the word: Paul's enemies have accused him of using unworthy persuasion in making his conversions. Greek 3061. loimos -- pestilence, a pest ... pestilence, a pest. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: loimos Phonetic Spelling: (loy'-mos) Short Definition: a pestilence Definition: (a) a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3061.htm - 6k 2288. thanatos -- death 4027. perikatharma -- that which is cleaned off, refuse Strong's Hebrew 1698. deber -- pestilence... 1697, 1698. deber. 1699 . pestilence. Transliteration: deber Phonetic Spelling: (deh'-ber) Short Definition: pestilence. Word Origin ... /hebrew/1698.htm - 6k 4046. maggephah -- a blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence 4347. makkah -- a blow, wound, slaughter 4194. maveth -- death Library How a Pestilence Ceased through the Intercession of King Oswald. ... The Pestilence which came Upon Them. The Misfortunes which Happened in Connection with These Things, in ... How the East Saxons, During a Pestilence, Returned to Idolatry ... Of the Fourth Seal. Psalm I. Of the Establishment of Scenic Entertainments. Of the Disasters which Vexed the Roman Republic after the ... Jacob's Sister Susannah. That when David had Numbered the People, they were Punished; and ... Thesaurus Pestilence (57 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character of great numbers. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PESTILENCE. ... /p/pestilence.htm - 31k Blasting (4 Occurrences) Noisome (7 Occurrences) Locusts (33 Occurrences) Besiege (17 Occurrences) Babylonians (48 Occurrences) Bloodshed (43 Occurrences) Famine (99 Occurrences) Chalde'ans (74 Occurrences) Grasshopper (12 Occurrences) Resources What is the meaning of pestilence in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Araunah the Jebusite? | GotQuestions.org What are the consequences of nations turning away from God? | GotQuestions.org Pestilence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Pestilence (57 Occurrences)Luke 21:11 Acts 24:5 Revelation 2:23 Revelation 6:8 Revelation 18:8 Exodus 5:3 Exodus 9:3 Exodus 9:15 Leviticus 26:25 Numbers 14:12 Deuteronomy 28:21 Deuteronomy 32:24 2 Samuel 24:13 2 Samuel 24:15 1 Kings 8:37 1 Chronicles 21:12 1 Chronicles 21:14 2 Chronicles 6:28 2 Chronicles 7:13 2 Chronicles 20:9 Job 27:15 Psalms 78:50 Psalms 91:3 Psalms 91:6 Jeremiah 14:12 Jeremiah 15:2 Jeremiah 18:21 Jeremiah 21:6 Jeremiah 21:7 Jeremiah 21:9 Jeremiah 24:10 Jeremiah 27:8 Jeremiah 27:13 Jeremiah 28:8 Jeremiah 29:17 Jeremiah 29:18 Jeremiah 32:24 Jeremiah 32:36 Jeremiah 34:17 Jeremiah 38:2 Jeremiah 42:17 Jeremiah 42:22 Jeremiah 43:11 Jeremiah 44:13 Ezekiel 5:12 Ezekiel 5:17 Ezekiel 6:11 Ezekiel 6:12 Ezekiel 7:15 Ezekiel 12:16 Ezekiel 14:19 Ezekiel 14:21 Ezekiel 28:23 Ezekiel 33:27 Ezekiel 38:22 Amos 4:10 Habakkuk 3:5 Subtopics Pestilence: Sent As a Judgment Related Terms |
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