In the biblical context, "plague and sword" are often mentioned together as instruments of divine judgment and punishment. These terms symbolize the broader themes of God's sovereignty, justice, and the consequences of disobedience to His commandments.

Plague

Plagues in the Bible are frequently depicted as manifestations of God's wrath against sin and rebellion. They serve as both a warning and a means of correction for the people of Israel and other nations. The most notable instance of plagues is found in the Book of Exodus, where God sends ten plagues upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. These plagues include the turning of water into blood, infestations of frogs, gnats, and flies, the death of livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn (Exodus 7-12).

In the prophetic literature, plagues are often mentioned as part of the curses that will befall Israel if they turn away from God. For example, in Deuteronomy 28:21-22, Moses warns the Israelites: "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land you are entering to possess. The LORD will strike you with wasting disease, with fever and inflammation, with scorching heat and drought, with blight and mildew, which will plague you until you perish."

Plagues are also seen in the eschatological visions of the Book of Revelation, where they are part of the judgments poured out upon the earth in the end times (Revelation 15-16).

Sword

The "sword" in biblical literature is a metaphor for war, violence, and destruction. It is often used to describe the means by which God enacts judgment upon nations and peoples. The sword is a symbol of divine retribution and is frequently associated with the consequences of sin and disobedience.

In the Old Testament, the sword is a common instrument of judgment. For instance, in Leviticus 26:25, God warns Israel: "And I will bring a sword against you to execute the vengeance 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."

The prophets frequently speak of the sword as a tool of divine punishment. In Jeremiah 14:12, God declares: "Although they fast, I will not hear their cry, and although they offer burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Instead, I will finish them off by sword and famine and plague."

In the New Testament, the sword is also mentioned in the context of spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6:17, the Apostle Paul describes the "sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God," as part of the armor of God that believers are to take up in their struggle against spiritual forces of evil.

Plague and Sword Together

The combination of plague and sword is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's judgment. In Ezekiel 5:12, God pronounces judgment on Jerusalem: "A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine inside the city; a third will fall by the sword outside the city; and a third I will scatter to every wind and will draw out a sword to chase after them."

This dual imagery serves to underscore the seriousness of turning away from God's covenant and the inevitable consequences of such actions. The use of both plague and sword highlights the multifaceted nature of divine retribution, affecting both the physical and spiritual realms.

Throughout Scripture, the themes of plague and sword remind believers of the holiness and justice of God, the reality of sin, and the need for repentance and obedience to God's will.