Lexical Summary maggephah: Plague, pestilence, slaughter Original Word: מַגֵּפָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance be plagued, slaughter, stroke From nagaph; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat -- (X be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke. see HEBREW nagaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nagaph Definition a blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence NASB Translation blow (1), calamity (1), plague (19), plagued (1), plagues (1), slaughter (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַגֵּפָה noun feminine blow, slaughter, plague, pestilence; — ׳מ absolute Numbers 14:37 23t.; construct מַגֵּפַת Zechariah 14:15; plural suffix מַגֵּפֹתַי Exodus 9:14; — 1 blow, = fatal stroke Ezekiel 24:16; in divine judgment (plague) Exodus 9:14 (J). 2 slaughter in battle, 1 Samuel 4:17; 2 Samuel 17:9; 2 Samuel 18:7. 3 plague, pestilence (divine judgment), of tumours on Philistines 1 Samuel 6:4; against Israel Numbers 14:37; Numbers 17:13; Numbers 17:14; Numbers 17:15; Numbers 25:8; Numbers 25:9; Numbers 25:18; Numbers 25:19; Numbers 31:16; 2 Samuel 24:21; 2 Samuel 24:25 (insert also 2 Samuel 24:15 ᵐ5 Th We Klo Dr Kit Bu), 1 Chronicles 21:22; Psalm 106:29; Psalm 106:30; specifically disease of bowels 2Chronicles 21:14; ׳מ = infected people 1 Chronicles 21:17; wasting of flesh, eyes and tongue, of hostile peoples Zechariah 14:12,18; attacking beasts Zechariah 14:15; Zechariah 14:15. Topical Lexicon Overview מַגֵּפָה (magephah) designates a devastating “stroke” sent or permitted by God, expressed either as disease or as a crushing military defeat. The term speaks of a sudden visitation of judgment that cannot be explained merely by natural causes. Approximately twenty-six Old Testament passages employ the word, revealing a consistent theology of holiness, sin, divine wrath, and merciful atonement. Range of Meaning and Distribution 1. Epidemic or pestilence inflicted by God (Exodus 9:14; Numbers 14:37; 16:46-50; 25:8-9; 31:16; 2 Samuel 24:21-25; Psalm 106:29-30; 1 Kings 8:37; 2 Chronicles 6:28). The dual sense underscores that whether through pestilence or sword, “the LORD is known by the judgment He executes” (compare Psalm 9:16). Plagues as Judicial Acts Exodus 9:14 records Yahweh’s threat to unleash “all My plagues” upon Pharaoh, demonstrating His supremacy over Egypt’s gods. These strokes culminate in the death of the firstborn, yet Israel is preserved. “When I see the blood, I will pass over you; no plague will touch you to destroy you” (Exodus 12:13). The Passover thus becomes the archetype of substitutionary protection. Unbelief and the Plague upon the Spies (Numbers 14:37) The ten faithless spies “died by a plague before the LORD.” Their death contrasts with the survival of Joshua and Caleb, illustrating that unbelief in God’s promises provokes immediate covenant sanctions. Rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:46-50) When the earth swallowed the rebels, the people complained, and “the plague had begun among the people” (16:47). Aaron’s censer interposed between the living and the dead—an enduring picture of priestly mediation. Fourteen thousand seven hundred perished, yet the intercession foreshadowed the ultimate high-priestly work of Christ (Hebrews 7:25). Idolatry at Peor (Numbers 25:8-9; 31:16; Joshua 22:17; Psalm 106:29-30) Twenty-four thousand fell when Israel joined the Moabite cult. Phinehas’ zealous act “turned back the plague,” affirming that decisive holiness averts judgment. Later generations (Joshua 22:17) recall the event to warn against renewed idolatry. The Census Plague (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21) David’s unauthorized numbering of Israel reflected self-reliance. God sent “a plague on Israel from that morning until the appointed time, and seventy thousand men fell” (2 Samuel 24:15). The angel was stayed at Araunah’s threshing floor where David built an altar. The site became the temple mount, testifying that worship grounded in sacrifice reconciles the nation to God. Magephah in Military Contexts 1 Samuel 4:10 describes Israel’s disastrous loss to the Philistines, linking defeat to spiritual decay symbolized by the capture of the Ark. Similar language marks Absalom’s revolt (2 Samuel 18:7) and Amaziah’s humiliation by Jehoash (2 Kings 14:12), reminding readers that national security hinges on covenant fidelity, not martial strength. Covenant Prayer for Mercy (1 Kings 8:37-40; 2 Chronicles 6:28-31) Solomon anticipates famine, siege, and “plague” and petitions: “Whatever plague or sickness there is… then hear from heaven Your dwelling place… and forgive” (1 Kings 8:38-39). The temple liturgy thus provides a framework for corporate repentance, a truth echoed in the prophetic call of 2 Chronicles 7:13-14. Theological Themes 1. Holiness: Magephah exposes sin’s seriousness; God will not overlook rebellion. Ministry Applications • Preach the gravity of sin. Magephah warns congregations against presuming on grace (Hebrews 10:26-31). Summary מַגֵּפָה serves as a sobering reminder that the God who saves also judges. Yet every stroke of magephah in the Tanakh ultimately directs the reader to the atoning mercy available through the greater Passover Lamb, whose sacrifice not only stays the plague but conquers death itself. Forms and Transliterations בְּמַגֵּפָ֑ה בַּמַּגֵּפָ֑ה בַּמַּגֵּפָ֔ה בַּמַּגֵּפָ֖ה במגפה הַמַּגֵּפָ֑ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֔ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֗ה הַמַּגֵּפָ֧ה הַמַּגֵּפָֽה׃ המגפה המגפה׃ וְהַמַּגֵּפָ֖ה והמגפה כַּמַּגֵּפָ֖ה כמגפה לְמַגֵּפָֽה׃ למגפה׃ מַגֵּפַ֣ת מַגֵּפָ֔ה מַגֵּפָ֥ה מַגֵּפָֽה׃ מַגֵּפֹתַי֙ מגפה מגפה׃ מגפת מגפתי bam·mag·gê·p̄āh bammaggeFah bammaggêp̄āh bə·mag·gê·p̄āh bemaggeFah bəmaggêp̄āh ham·mag·gê·p̄āh hammaggeFah hammaggêp̄āh kam·mag·gê·p̄āh kammaggeFah kammaggêp̄āh lə·mag·gê·p̄āh lemaggeFah ləmaggêp̄āh mag·gê·p̄āh mag·gê·p̄aṯ mag·gê·p̄ō·ṯay maggeFah maggeFat maggefoTai maggêp̄āh maggêp̄aṯ maggêp̄ōṯay vehammaggeFah wə·ham·mag·gê·p̄āh wəhammaggêp̄āhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 9:14 HEB: אֶת־ כָּל־ מַגֵּפֹתַי֙ אֶֽל־ לִבְּךָ֔ NAS: all My plagues on you and your servants KJV: send all my plagues upon thine heart, INT: will send all my plagues upon heart Numbers 14:37 Numbers 16:48 Numbers 16:49 Numbers 16:50 Numbers 25:8 Numbers 25:9 Numbers 25:18 Numbers 25:18 Numbers 31:16 1 Samuel 4:17 1 Samuel 6:4 2 Samuel 17:9 2 Samuel 18:7 2 Samuel 24:21 2 Samuel 24:25 1 Chronicles 21:17 1 Chronicles 21:22 2 Chronicles 21:14 Psalm 106:29 Psalm 106:30 Ezekiel 24:16 Zechariah 14:12 Zechariah 14:15 Zechariah 14:15 26 Occurrences |
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