from πλήσσω; a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity:--plague, stripe, wound(-ed).
Transliteration:plēgḗ
Pronunciation:play-gay'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun πληγή (plēgḗ, `{{G4127}}`) derives from the verb πλήσσω (plēssō), meaning "to strike" or "to smite." Its core semantic range encompasses both literal and figurative applications. At its most basic, πληγή denotes "a stroke" or "a blow," referring to the physical act of impact. By implication, it extends to "a wound," representing the injury or damage resulting from such a blow. Figuratively, and with significant theological weight in the New Testament, πληγή refers to "a calamity," "a disaster," or "a plague," often understood as a divinely ordained affliction or judgment. This range moves from direct physical violence to a broader concept of severe suffering or punitive visitation.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
πληγή appears approximately 28 times in the New Testament, with a notable concentration in the Book of Revelation. Its usage can be broadly categorized:
1. **Physical Blows or Wounds:**
* In [[Luke 10:30]], the man who fell among robbers is described as receiving "many wounds" (πολλὰς πληγὰς). Here, πληγή signifies the physical injuries inflicted by human assailants.
* [[Acts 16:23]] recounts Paul and Silas receiving "many stripes" (πολλὰς πληγὰς) after being beaten, referring to the physical blows of a scourging. Similarly, [[Acts 22:24]] mentions Paul being ordered to be examined by "scourging" (μετὰ μαστίγων), with the implication of receiving πληγαί.
* In the apocalyptic imagery of Revelation, πληγή describes physical wounds, such as the "deadly wound" (τὴν πληγὴν τοῦ θανάτου) of the beast in [[Revelation 13:3]] and [[Revelation 13:14]], which was "healed." This highlights the severity of the injury, even if supernaturally overcome.
2. **Calamities or Plagues (Divine Judgment):**
* This is the predominant use of πληγή in the Book of Revelation, where it almost exclusively refers to the "plagues" or "judgments" sent by God upon the earth. These are not random misfortunes but deliberate acts of divine wrath against unrepentant humanity.
* Examples include the "plagues" that fall upon those who worship the beast ([[Revelation 9:18]], [[Revelation 11:6]], [[Revelation 15:1]], [[Revelation 15:6]], [[Revelation 15:8]], [[Revelation 16:9]], [[Revelation 18:4]], [[Revelation 21:9]], [[Revelation 22:18]]). The phrase "seven last plagues" (ἑπτὰ πληγὰς τὰς ἐσχάτας) in [[Revelation 15:1]] emphasizes their finality and severity.
* These plagues often mirror the plagues of Egypt, drawing a clear parallel to God's historical acts of judgment and deliverance. They serve as a demonstration of God's power and righteous indignation.
* [[Luke 12:48]] uses πληγαί in the context of a servant being beaten with "many stripes" for disobedience, which, while physical, carries the connotation of punishment or judgment for negligence.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of πληγή intersects with several other Greek words and biblical concepts:
* **πλήσσω (plēssō):** The verbal root, meaning "to strike, to smite." Understanding the action of striking is fundamental to grasping the noun's meaning as a stroke or its resulting wound.
* **τραῦμα (trauma, `{{G5134}}`):** This word specifically denotes a "wound" or "injury," often more general than πληγή which implies a blow as the cause.
* **δέρμα (derma, `{{G1194}}`):** While literally "skin," in contexts of punishment, it can relate to flaying or severe beating, thus connecting to the idea of πληγαί as stripes.
* **μάστιξ (mastix, `{{G3148}}`):** A "scourge" or "whip," which is the instrument used to inflict πληγαί (stripes). It can also refer to a "plague" or "calamity" in a general sense, similar to πληγή's figurative usage.
* **θλίψις (thlipsis, `{{G2347}}`):** "Tribulation" or "affliction," a broader term for suffering that can encompass the experience of πληγαί.
* **ὀργή (orgē, `{{G3709}}`):** "Wrath" or "indignation," particularly divine wrath, which is the underlying cause of the πληγαί in Revelation.
* **Old Testament Plagues:** In the Septuagint, πληγή is frequently used to translate Hebrew words such as מַכָּה (makkah, `{{H4347}}`) and נֶגַע (nega, `{{H5061}}`), which refer to "blows," "wounds," or "plagues" (e.g., the plagues of Egypt). This strong Old Testament precedent informs the New Testament's use, particularly in Revelation.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of πληγή is profound, especially in its eschatological context.
1. **Divine Judgment and Wrath:** The most prominent theological use of πληγή is as an instrument of God's righteous judgment. In Revelation, the "plagues" are not random acts of misfortune but deliberate, severe visitations of divine wrath upon a world that has rejected God and worshipped idols. They serve as a final call to repentance and a demonstration of God's sovereign power and justice. The unrepentant response to these plagues ([[Revelation 9:20-21]], [[Revelation 16:9]]) highlights the hardening of human hearts.
2. **Consequences of Sin:** πληγή underscores the biblical principle that sin has consequences. Whether through direct divine intervention or the natural outworking of rebellion against God's order, πληγαί represent the painful and destructive outcomes of human disobedience and idolatry.
3. **Suffering of the Righteous:** While often associated with divine judgment on the wicked, πληγή can also denote the physical suffering endured by believers for their faith. The "stripes" received by Paul and Silas ([[Acts 16:23]]) exemplify the persecution faced by Christ's followers. This suffering, though painful, is often depicted as a means by which God's power is displayed, and His purposes are advanced. It aligns with the suffering servant motif, where the righteous endure blows for a greater redemptive purpose.
4. **The Atoning Suffering of Christ:** Though the specific word πληγή is not typically used for Christ's individual wounds from the cross (e.g., μώλωψ (mōlōps, `{{G3463}}`) for "bruise/stripe" in [[1 Peter 2:24]] quoting [[Isaiah 53:5]]), the concept of being "struck" and enduring severe physical πληγαί is central to His atoning sacrifice. He bore the "stripes" that brought healing, embodying the ultimate suffering for the sins of humanity.
### Summary
πληγή (plēgḗ, `{{G4127}}`) is a multifaceted Greek term signifying a "stroke" or "blow," which can result in a "wound." Most significantly, especially in the New Testament, it denotes a "calamity" or "plague," serving as a potent symbol of divine judgment. While it can describe human-inflicted physical suffering, its theological weight is most pronounced in the Book of Revelation, where it consistently refers to God's righteous and severe visitations upon an unrepentant world. These "plagues" underscore the consequences of sin, the certainty of divine justice, and God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation. The word thus encapsulates both the physical reality of suffering and the profound spiritual truth of God's holy wrath against rebellion.
TRV