The term "pestilent" is often associated with disease, plague, or anything that is destructive and harmful. In the biblical context, it is frequently used to describe plagues or calamities that serve as divine judgments or warnings. The concept of pestilence is deeply rooted in the narrative of God's interaction with humanity, often as a consequence of sin or disobedience.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, pestilence is frequently mentioned as a tool of divine retribution. For instance, in the book of Exodus, God sends plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. These plagues, which include pestilence, demonstrate God's power and serve as a judgment against the false gods of Egypt (Exodus 9:3).

The book of Leviticus also addresses pestilence in the context of covenant blessings and curses. In Leviticus 26:25, God warns the Israelites that if they disobey His commandments, He will "bring a sword against you to avenge the breaking of the covenant. When you withdraw into your cities, I will send a plague among you, and you will be delivered into the hand of the enemy."

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 28:21, as part of the curses for disobedience, it is stated, "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land that you are entering to possess."

Prophetic Writings

The prophets also speak of pestilence as a form of divine judgment. In Jeremiah 21:6, God declares, "I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague." This serves as a warning to the people of Judah about the impending Babylonian invasion and the consequences of their persistent idolatry and rebellion.

Ezekiel, another major prophet, frequently mentions pestilence in his warnings to Israel. In Ezekiel 14:21, God says, "For this is what the Lord GOD says: How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dreadful judgments—sword and famine and wild beasts and plague—to cut off both man and beast from it!"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the term "pestilent" is less frequently used, but the concept of pestilence as a sign of the end times is present. In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus warns of future calamities, including pestilences, as signs preceding His return. In Luke 21:11, He states, "There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, pestilence in the Bible is often seen as a manifestation of God's justice and a call to repentance. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for humanity to turn back to God. The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as sovereign over all creation, including the forces of nature, and pestilence is one of the means by which He executes His will and purposes.

Conclusion

While the Bible presents pestilence as a form of divine judgment, it also offers hope and redemption. The call to repentance and the promise of restoration are central themes throughout Scripture. In times of pestilence, believers are encouraged to seek God's mercy, trust in His sovereignty, and remain steadfast in faith.(a.) Tending to cause death or disease; noxious; pernicious; mischievous.3061. loimos -- pestilence, a pest
... Noun, Masculine Transliteration: loimos Phonetic Spelling: (loy'-mos) Short Definition:
a pestilence Definition: (a) a pestilence, (b) a pestilent fellow. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3061.htm - 6k

He Describes the Pestilent Error of the Pelagian.
... Book I. Chapter III. He describes the pestilent error of the Pelagian. At
any rate we think that this fact ought not to be omitted ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter iii he describes the.htm

How the Errors of Later Heretics have Been Condemned and Refuted ...
... But that we may not be thought to have prejudged the case against them instead of
fairly judging it, we will produce their actual pestilent assertions, or ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter i how the errors.htm

Scriptural Instances Wherein it is Proved that God Has Men's Wills ...
... men, whose hearts the Lord touched. And pestilent children said, Who shall
save us? This man? And they despised him, and brought ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 45 scriptural instances wherein it.htm

A Copy of the Letter of Constantius against Athanasius.
... For while that pestilent fellow Athanasius is driven from place to place, being
convicted of the basest crimes, for which he would only suffer the punishment ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/30 a copy of the.htm

Psalm I.
... There must, therefore, be a distinction between the ungodly and the sinner, between
the sinner and the pestilent; chiefly because here the ungodly has a counsel ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm i.htm

Acts xxiii. 31, 32, 33
... For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all
the Jews throughout the world." (a) As a revolutionary and seditious person he ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily l acts xxiii 31.htm

Introduction.
... Cursed Iesabel of England, with the pestilent and detestable generation of papistes,
make no litle bragge and boast, that they haue triumphed not only against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/knox/the first blast of the trumpet/introduction.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... perverter of the people, one that spake against Caesar, and forbade to give tribute:
when the apostles were charged with being pestilent, turbulent, factious ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

"But if Ye have Bitter Envying and Strife in Your Hearts, Glory ...
... suggestions of an imaginary wisdom and happiness, "You shall be as gods knowing
good and evil." And truly this poison is so strong and pestilent, that having ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iv but if ye.htm

To Alexander, Bishop of the City of Constantinople.
... Concealing, therefore, their pestilent doctrine by their specious and flattering
discourse, they circumvent the more simple-minded and such as are open to fraud ...
/.../i to alexander bishop of the.htm

Pestilent (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Tending to cause death or disease; noxious; pernicious;
mischievous. Multi-Version Concordance Pestilent (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/pestilent.htm - 6k

Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Version (British and American) "vile fellows"; compare 2 Samuel 6:20, "vain (req)
fellows" (supplied); APC 1Macc 10:61, "contain pestilent fellows" (aner ...
/f/fellow.htm - 42k

Ring-leader (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this a pestilent man, and a mover of sedition among
all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the ...
/r/ring-leader.htm - 6k

Mover (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the ...
/m/mover.htm - 7k

Pest (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the ...
/p/pest.htm - 6k

Pestle (1 Occurrence)

/p/pestle.htm - 7k

Pestilence (57 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fig.: That which is pestilent, noxious, or pernicious to the moral character
of great numbers. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PESTILENCE. ...
/p/pestilence.htm - 31k

Pestilences (2 Occurrences)

/p/pestilences.htm - 7k

Sedition (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the ...
/s/sedition.htm - 10k

Graecia
... Eastern Greece consists of a series of somewhat considerable basins, which become
lakes in winter and are pestilent marshes in summer, except where Nature or ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

Pestilent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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