Pestilence
/PES-tih-lens/
Summary
Pestilence refers to deadly epidemic disease, frequently mentioned in Scripture as an instrument of divine judgment.
☩Divine Judgment
Pestilence appears in Scripture as one of God's agents of judgment, often coupled with sword and famine as the three great calamities. The Lord threatened pestilence as punishment for Israel's disobedience. The prophets warned that pestilence would accompany divine judgment on Jerusalem and other nations.
Key verses:Leviticus 26:25Deuteronomy 28:21Jeremiah 14:12Ezekiel 5:12Ezekiel 14:21
☩Historical Instances
Several pestilences are recorded: the plague on Egypt's livestock during the Exodus, the plague following Israel's sin with the golden calf, the plague after Korah's rebellion killing 14,700, and the devastating plague after David's census that killed 70,000. In each case, God's sovereignty over disease is evident.
Key verses:Exodus 9:3Numbers 16:46-502 Samuel 24:151 Chronicles 21:14
Related Verses49 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Pestilence," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).