Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, Egypt is frequently depicted as a land afflicted by plagues and pestilences, serving as a backdrop for divine intervention and judgment. These afflictions are often portrayed as acts of God, intended to demonstrate His power and sovereignty, particularly in the context of the Israelites' bondage and subsequent liberation.The Ten Plagues of Egypt The most notable instance of plagues in Egypt is the series of ten plagues described in the Book of Exodus. These plagues were divinely orchestrated to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from slavery. Each plague targeted specific aspects of Egyptian life and religious belief, systematically undermining the authority of the Egyptian gods and demonstrating the supremacy of the God of Israel. 1. Water Turned to Blood: The first plague involved the Nile River, the lifeblood of Egypt, being turned into blood. This event is recorded in Exodus 7:20-21: "Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, he raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood." 2. Frogs: The second plague brought an overwhelming infestation of frogs, as described in Exodus 8:6: "So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt." 3. Gnats: The third plague involved gnats, which arose from the dust of the ground, as stated in Exodus 8:17: "When Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon man and beast. All the dust of the land became gnats throughout Egypt." 4. Flies: The fourth plague brought swarms of flies, which filled the houses and land of Egypt, as noted in Exodus 8:24: "And the LORD did this. Dense swarms of flies poured into Pharaoh’s palace and into the houses of his officials; throughout Egypt the land was ruined by flies." 5. Livestock Disease: The fifth plague struck the livestock of Egypt with a severe pestilence, as recorded in Exodus 9:6: "And the next day the LORD did this. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died." 6. Boils: The sixth plague afflicted the Egyptians with painful boils, as described in Exodus 9:10: "So they took soot from a furnace and stood before Pharaoh. Moses tossed it into the air, and festering boils broke out on men and beasts." 7. Hail: The seventh plague brought a devastating hailstorm, as noted in Exodus 9:23: "When Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed down to the earth. So the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt." 8. Locusts: The eighth plague involved a swarm of locusts that consumed all vegetation, as stated in Exodus 10:14-15: "The locusts invaded all the land of Egypt and settled in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again." 9. Darkness: The ninth plague brought a palpable darkness over Egypt, as described in Exodus 10:22: "So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all the land of Egypt for three days." 10. Death of the Firstborn: The final and most severe plague was the death of the firstborn, as recorded in Exodus 12:29: "At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on the throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well." Symbolism and Theological Significance The plagues of Egypt are rich in symbolism and theological significance. They serve as a demonstration of God's power over creation and the false gods of Egypt. Each plague systematically dismantled the Egyptians' reliance on their deities and natural resources, highlighting the futility of idolatry and the supremacy of the God of Israel. Furthermore, the plagues underscore the theme of divine justice and deliverance. They illustrate God's commitment to liberating His people and fulfilling His covenant promises. The plagues also serve as a foreshadowing of future judgments and the ultimate deliverance through Christ. Other Instances of Pestilence in Egypt Beyond the ten plagues, Egypt is mentioned in other biblical contexts as a land susceptible to pestilence. In Deuteronomy 28:60, as part of the curses for disobedience, God warns Israel that He will bring upon them the diseases of Egypt if they turn away from Him: "He will bring upon you all the diseases of Egypt that you dreaded, and they will cling to you." In prophetic literature, Egypt is sometimes depicted as a recipient of divine judgment through pestilence. For example, in Ezekiel 30:12, God declares, "I will dry up the streams of the Nile and sell the land to evil men. By the hand of foreigners I will lay waste the land and everything in it. I, the LORD, have spoken." These instances reinforce the biblical portrayal of Egypt as a land often afflicted by divine judgment through plagues and pestilences, serving as a testament to God's power and the consequences of disobedience. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 42:17So shall it be with all the men that set their faces to go into Egypt to sojourn there; they shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: and none of them shall remain or escape from the evil that I will bring on them. Torrey's Topical Textbook Amos 4:10 Library the Legendary History of Egypt The Solar Eclipse False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ... Treatise vii. On the Mortality. The Census of Israel "The Time of Trouble. " The Time of Trouble Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus. The Mediator --The Interpreter The Seventh Book Resources What is the cause of the recent plague of child molestation incidents? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt? | GotQuestions.org Is there extra-biblical evidence of the ten plagues in Egypt? | GotQuestions.org Plague: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Plague of Boils and Open Sores Plague: As a Judgment on the Egyptians Plague: Death of the Firstborn Plague: Denounced As a Judgment Plague: On the Israelites for the Sin of Peor Plague: On the Israelites of Serpents Plague: On the Israelites: After Complaining About the Destruction of Korah and his Family Plague: On the Israelites: After Eating the Quail Meat Plague: On the Israelites: After Refusing to Enter the Promised Land Plague: On the Israelites: On Account of David's Sin The Plague or Pestilence was Attributed to a Destroying Angel The Plague or Pestilence: Described As Noisome The Plague or Pestilence: Desolating Effects of The Plague or Pestilence: Egypt often Afflicted With The Plague or Pestilence: Equally Fatal Day and Night The Plague or Pestilence: Fatal to Man and Beast The Plague or Pestilence: God's Judgments Upon the Apostasy The Plague or Pestilence: Inflicted by God The Plague or Pestilence: Israel Threatened With, As a Punishment for Disobedience The Plague or Pestilence: Often Broke out Suddenly The Plague or Pestilence: Often Followed War and Famine The Plague or Pestilence: One of God's Four Sore Judgments The Plague or Pestilence: Predicted to Happen Before Destruction of Jerusalem The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: David's Subjects for his Numbering the People The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Despising Manna The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Making Golden Calf The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Murmuring at Destruction of Korah The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: Israel for Worshipping Baal-Peor The Plague or Pestilence: Sent Upon: The Egyptians The Plague or Pestilence: Specially Fatal in Cities The Plague or Pestilence: The Diseased State of Man's Heart The Plague or Pestilence: The Jews Sought Deliverance From, by Prayer Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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