from נָגַף; a pestilence; by analogy, defeat; ([idiom] be) plague(-d), slaughter, stroke.
Transliteration:maggêphâh
Pronunciation:mag-gay-faw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word maggêphâh (`{{H4046}}`) is derived from the verb nāgaph (`{{H5062}}`), which means "to strike," "to smite," or "to defeat." This etymological root is crucial for understanding the core meaning of maggêphâh as a "stroke" or "blow" from a superior power.
Its primary semantic range encompasses:
1. **Pestilence/Plague:** This is the most frequent and direct meaning, referring to a widespread, severe, and often fatal outbreak of disease. It implies a sudden, devastating affliction that sweeps through a population.
2. **Defeat/Slaughter:** By analogy, maggêphâh extends to the context of warfare, denoting a crushing military defeat, a rout, or a severe loss of life inflicted upon an army or a people. It signifies a decisive "blow" in battle.
3. **Stroke/Calamity:** In a more general sense, it can refer to any sudden, grievous blow or calamity, often with the implication of divine causation.
Crucially, maggêphâh consistently carries the connotation of a divinely orchestrated or permitted calamity, rather than a mere natural occurrence. It is understood as an active visitation or judgment from God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Maggêphâh appears approximately 25 times in the Old Testament, predominantly in narrative and prophetic literature. Its usage consistently highlights its nature as a severe, often divinely sent, affliction.
* **Divine Judgment and Plague:**
* In the book of Exodus, while not used for every specific plague, maggêphâh appears as a general term for the severity of God's judgment upon Egypt, indicating a pervasive and destructive visitation ([[Exodus 9:14]]).
* It is frequently employed in the wilderness narratives to describe God's immediate judgment upon the Israelites for rebellion and disobedience. For instance, a maggêphâh struck the people after the incident of Baal-Peor, leading to the death of 24,000 ([[Numbers 25:8-9]], [[Numbers 25:18]]). Similarly, it is used for the plague that consumed those who complained against Moses and Aaron ([[Numbers 16:46-50]]).
* Perhaps one of the most poignant examples is the plague sent upon Israel after David's unauthorized census, which resulted in the death of 70,000 people ([[2 Samuel 24:21]], [[2 Samuel 24:25]]; [[1 Chronicles 21:12]], [[1 Chronicles 21:17]], [[1 Chronicles 21:22]]). This context underscores the dire consequences of human presumption and the need for atonement.
* Prophetic texts also utilize maggêphâh to describe future divine judgments. [[Zechariah 14:12]] vividly portrays a supernatural plague upon those who fight against Jerusalem, where their flesh, eyes, and tongues will rot away while they are still standing.
* **Military Defeat:**
* The term is used to describe a devastating military defeat, often implying God's hand in the outcome. For example, the Philistine victory over Israel, resulting in the capture of the Ark, is described as a maggêphâh ([[1 Samuel 4:17]]).
* **Personal Calamity:**
* In a unique usage, [[Ezekiel 24:16]] describes the sudden death of Ezekiel's wife as a "stroke" (מַגֵּפָה), connecting personal tragedy to the broader concept of divine action and judgment upon Israel.
Across its occurrences, maggêphâh consistently denotes a direct, decisive, and often calamitous intervention, whether through disease or military defeat, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and His active involvement in human history, particularly in the administration of justice.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of maggêphâh is enriched by its relationship to several other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **Nāgaph (`{{H5062}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to strike, smite, plague, defeat." The direct derivation emphasizes that maggêphâh is not a passive event but an actively inflicted one, a "blow" from a powerful source.
* **Deber (`{{H1698}}`):** "Pestilence, plague." This is another prominent term for disease, often listed alongside "sword" and "famine" as instruments of divine judgment (e.g., [[Jeremiah 21:7]], [[Ezekiel 5:12]]). While deber focuses on the disease itself, maggêphâh highlights the sudden, striking, and often overwhelming nature of the affliction.
* **Makkah (`{{H4347}}`):** "Blow, wound, plague, slaughter." Also derived from a verb meaning "to strike" (nākah), makkah is a broader term for a physical blow or a wound, but can also denote a plague or a defeat. Maggêphâh often carries a more specific connotation of a widespread calamity or a direct divine visitation.
* **Divine Wrath/Judgment:** The concept of maggêphâh is inextricably linked to God's righteous anger and His execution of justice upon sin. It serves as a tangible manifestation of divine displeasure and the consequences of violating His covenant.
* **Covenant Curses:** Maggêphâh aligns with the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant for disobedience, where pestilence is explicitly promised as a consequence of breaking God's laws ([[Leviticus 26:25]], [[Deuteronomy 28:21]]).
### Theological Significance
The term maggêphâh carries profound theological weight, illuminating several core doctrines:
* **God's Sovereignty and Active Governance:** Maggêphâh unequivocally demonstrates that God is not a distant, passive deity but an active, sovereign ruler who intervenes directly in human affairs. Calamities are not random occurrences but can be purposeful instruments in His hand.
* **The Consequences of Sin:** Most frequently, maggêphâh functions as a direct and severe consequence of individual or corporate sin—whether it be idolatry, rebellion against divine authority, or presumption. It reveals God's intolerance for unrighteousness and His commitment to upholding His moral order.
* **Divine Justice and Discipline:** While terrifying, maggêphâh serves as a clear manifestation of God's perfect justice. It can be a form of discipline intended to bring about repentance and a return to faithfulness, or in extreme cases, a final judgment.
* **The Need for Atonement and Intercession:** The occurrence of maggêphâh often prompts immediate recognition of sin and a desperate search for atonement or fervent intercession. Examples include Aaron stopping the plague with incense ([[Numbers 16:48]]) and David offering sacrifices to halt the plague ([[2 Samuel 24:25]]). This highlights humanity's utter dependence on God's mercy and the efficacy of mediatorial action.
* **Revelation of God's Power:** The sudden, widespread, and overwhelming nature of a maggêphâh powerfully reveals the immense, awe-inspiring might of God, capable of bringing nations to their knees or decimating populations with a single "stroke."
### Summary
The Hebrew word maggêphâh (`{{H4046}}`) signifies a severe "pestilence" or "plague," and by extension, a devastating "defeat" or "slaughter." Derived from the root nāgaph (to strike, smite), it consistently denotes a sudden, overwhelming, and often divinely inflicted "stroke" or calamity. Biblically, maggêphâh is primarily understood as an instrument of God's judgment and discipline, a direct consequence of sin or rebellion, as vividly illustrated in the plagues upon Egypt, the judgments in the wilderness, and the plague following David's census. Its usage underscores God's active sovereignty, His righteous indignation against sin, and the profound consequences of disobedience. The presence of a maggêphâh often serves as a stark reminder of humanity's need for repentance, atonement, and reliance upon divine mercy, powerfully revealing God's immense power and His unwavering commitment to justice within His covenant relationship with His creation.
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