Plague

Affliction with disease, destruction or environmental disaster as an expression of divine judgment, usually resulting in death. The purpose may be as a punishment or to encourage repentance.

The nature of plague

Ezekiel 6:11–12 See also 2 Chronicles 20:9; Jeremiah 14:12, Jeremiah 27:8; Ezekiel 14:21; Revelation 6:8

This is what the Lord GOD says: Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and cry out “Alas!” because of all the wicked abominations of the house of Israel, who will fall by sword and famine and plague. He who is far off will die by the plague, he who is near will fall by the sword, and he who remains will die by famine. So I will vent My fury upon them.

Plagues sent upon Egypt

Plagues described

Exodus 7:17–18, Exodus 8:5–6, Exodus 8:16–17, Exodus 8:21, Exodus 8:24, Exodus 9:6, Exodus 9:9–10, Exodus 9:22–25, Exodus 10:4–6, Exodus 10:13–15, Exodus 10:21–23, Exodus 11:4–6, Exodus 12:29–30

Plagues withdrawn in answer to prayer

Exodus 8:12–13, Exodus 8:29, Exodus 9:29, Exodus 9:33, Exodus 10:18–19

Plagues recalled and celebrated

Psalm 78:41–51, Psalm 105:26–36, Psalm 135:8–9; Amos 4:10; Acts 7:36

Plagues sent upon Israel

Plagues threatened for breaking God's covenant

Leviticus 26:23–26 See also Leviticus 26:14–16; Deuteronomy 28:20–24

And if in spite of these things you do not accept My discipline, but continue to walk in hostility toward Me, then I will act with hostility toward you, and I will strike you sevenfold for your sins. And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance of the covenant. Though you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied.

Plagues experienced in fulfilment of God's covenant

Exodus 32:33–35; Numbers 11:31–34, Numbers 14:36–38, Numbers 16:41–50, Numbers 25:3–9; 2 Samuel 24:11–17 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:9–17; Joel 1:2–12; Amos 4:6–11

Plagues withdrawn after intercession or obedience

Numbers 14:10–20, Numbers 16:46–48, Numbers 21:6–9, Numbers 25:6–11; 2 Samuel 24:18–25 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:18–26; 1 Kings 8:37–40 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:28–31; Psalm 106:23, Psalm 106:28–31

Plagues announced by prophets as God's judgment

Jeremiah 21:5–10 See also Jeremiah 24:10, Jeremiah 29:17–19, Jeremiah 34:17, Jeremiah 44:13; Ezekiel 5:12, Ezekiel 5:17, Ezekiel 33:27

And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath. I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’ ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’ Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war. For I have set My face against this city to bring disaster and not good, declares the LORD. It will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, who will destroy it with fire.’

Plagues sent upon other nations

1 Samuel 5:6–12; Isaiah 19:22; Jeremiah 28:8; Ezekiel 28:22–23; Habakkuk 3:5–6; Zechariah 14:12–15

Apocalyptic visions of plague as God's judgment

Luke 21:11 parallels Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8 See also Revelation 6:8, Revelation 11:6, Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:6–8, Revelation 16:1–21, Revelation 18:4–8, Revelation 22:18

There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

Divine protection from plague

Psalm 91:3–8 See also Exodus 8:22–23, Exodus 9:4, Exodus 9:6, Exodus 9:26, Exodus 10:23, Exodus 11:7, Exodus 12:13, Exodus 12:23, Exodus 12:27; 2 Chronicles 20:9

Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague. He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the calamity that destroys at noon. Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you. You will only see it with your eyes and witness the punishment of the wicked.