Topical Bible: Egypt: Subject to Plague

◄ Egypt: Subject to Plague ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, Egypt holds a significant place as a land subjected to divine plagues, particularly during the time of the Exodus. The plagues were a series of catastrophic events that God inflicted upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. These events are recorded in the Book of Exodus and serve as a demonstration of God's power and judgment against the idolatry and oppression of the Egyptians.

The Ten Plagues

The ten plagues are a central theme in the Exodus account, each representing a direct challenge to the Egyptian pantheon and Pharaoh's authority. The plagues are as follows:

1. Water Turned to Blood: The first plague involved the waters of the Nile River turning into blood, causing the fish to die and the river to stink, making it undrinkable (Exodus 7:20-21). This plague was a direct affront to the Egyptian god Hapi, the deity of the Nile.

2. Frogs: The second plague brought an overwhelming infestation of frogs, which covered the land and entered homes, disrupting daily life (Exodus 8:6). This plague mocked the goddess Heqet, who was depicted as a frog and symbolized fertility.

3. Gnats: The third plague saw the dust of the earth become gnats, afflicting both people and animals (Exodus 8:17). This plague demonstrated God's power over the earth, challenging the god Geb, the deity of the ground.

4. Flies: The fourth plague brought swarms of flies that filled the houses and land of Egypt, causing great distress (Exodus 8:24). This plague was a challenge to the god Khepri, who was associated with creation and rebirth and often depicted as a scarab beetle.

5. Livestock Disease: The fifth plague struck the Egyptian livestock with a severe disease, killing horses, donkeys, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats (Exodus 9:6). This plague targeted the goddess Hathor, who was often depicted as a cow and symbolized protection.

6. Boils: The sixth plague afflicted the Egyptians with painful boils, affecting both humans and animals (Exodus 9:10). This plague was a direct challenge to the god Thoth, associated with medicine and healing.

7. Hail: The seventh plague brought a devastating hailstorm, destroying crops and livestock in the fields (Exodus 9:23-25). This plague demonstrated God's supremacy over the sky, challenging the goddess Nut.

8. Locusts: The eighth plague sent locusts to consume what was left of the crops after the hail, leaving Egypt in famine (Exodus 10:14-15). This plague was a direct affront to the god Seth, who was associated with storms and chaos.

9. Darkness: The ninth plague brought a palpable darkness over Egypt for three days, a direct challenge to Ra, the sun god and one of the most revered deities in Egyptian religion (Exodus 10:22-23).

10. Death of the Firstborn: The final and most severe plague was the death of all firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh to the firstborn of the prisoner and livestock (Exodus 12:29). This plague was a direct judgment against Pharaoh himself, who was considered a god, and demonstrated the ultimate power of the God of Israel.

Theological Significance

The plagues served multiple purposes in the biblical narrative. They were a demonstration of God's power over the false gods of Egypt, a judgment against the oppression of the Israelites, and a means to compel Pharaoh to release God's people. The plagues also served to strengthen the faith of the Israelites, showing them that their God was mighty and faithful to His promises.

The plagues of Egypt are a profound reminder of God's sovereignty and justice, illustrating the consequences of hard-heartedness and idolatry. They underscore the biblical theme of deliverance and redemption, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 7:15
And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which you know, on you; but will lay them on all them that hate you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 28:27,60
The LORD will smite you with the botch of Egypt, and with the tumors, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof you can not be healed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... From remote antiquity Syria was in the condition just described, and thus destined
to become subject to foreign rule. Chaldaea, Egypt, Assyria, and Persia ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.
... any other minister of God's action, may chastise Egypt with disease ... that may be felt,
and the plague which, last ... and kingdoms which have not been subject to Thy ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm

Appendix
... This final plague brought down their whole system of religion ... when He fist brought
them out of Egypt, and blow ... we consider the nature of the subject, was done ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/appendix.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... bestowed upon their followers"rations of food,[**] and a house, gardens, and fields
to be held subject to the usual conditions of tenure in Egypt, ie taxation ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

Egypt
... light-hearted, averse to cruelty, though subject at times ... Egypt was threatened by
formidable enemies. ... Plague after plague descended upon the Egyptians, and the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

How Vainglory May be Useful to Us.
... has been affected by its poison and plague, it makes ... And on this subject there is
a very neat ... been taken captive by Necho, King of Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar, King ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xii how vainglory may.htm

Psalm 106
... By whom such great things brought to pass. they had in Egypt seen. ... and so the plague
did cease; ^31That to all ages counted was. ... made subject to their hand. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 106.htm

Canaan
... the God of Israel," he said, to reopen the subject. ... The tribes that went into Egypt
worshiped the same ... One God, saying, 'Thy god sendeth plague and affliction ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xii canaan.htm

Psalm CV.
... meditate on this important and necessary subject, how God ... Next is related what happened
in Egypt. ... The locusts and the caterpillars are one plague: of which the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cv.htm

Moses and his Writings
... brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt they were ... the other ancient Canaanitish
cities, for the subject is of ... means of ridding the world of this plague spot ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter iii moses and his.htm