נֶגֶף
a trip (of the foot); figuratively, an infliction (of disease)
Definition
The Hebrew noun נֶגֶף (negeph) primarily means a 'strike' or 'blow' that causes a fall or collapse. In its literal sense, it refers to a physical stumbling or tripping (Isaiah 8:14). More significantly, it is used figuratively in the context of divine judgment to describe a sudden, devastating infliction, often translated as 'plague.' This sense is prominent in the narratives of the Exodus and the wilderness wanderings, where it denotes a lethal outbreak sent by God, as in the warning of the plague of the firstborn (Exodus 12:13) and the plague following Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16:46-47).
Biblical Usage
נֶגֶף is used seven times in the Old Testament, almost exclusively in contexts of divine judgment or its threat. It appears in the Pentateuch's historical narratives (Exodus, Numbers) and once in the Prophets (Isaiah). Its usage consistently portrays a sudden, divinely-orchestrated calamity, either as a warning (Exodus 30:12) or an executed punishment (Numbers 16:46). In Joshua 22:17, it is referenced retrospectively regarding the sin at Peor. The sole non-punitive use is in Isaiah 8:14, where it metaphorically describes God as a 'stone of stumbling' for both houses of Israel.
Etymology
נֶגֶף is a noun derived from the root verb נָגַף (nagaph, H5062), which means 'to strike' or 'to smite.' This root conveys the core idea of a forceful blow. The noun form, therefore, signifies the result or instrument of that striking action—the blow itself or the calamity it causes. The semantic development moved naturally from a physical strike to a metaphorical one, especially a widespread affliction sent by God.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is a key term for understanding God's judicial actions in the Old Testament. A נֶגֶף is not a random disaster but a targeted divine strike, often in response to covenant unfaithfulness or rebellion. It highlights God's holiness and justice in dealing with sin, particularly within the covenant community. Understanding this term enriches reading by clarifying that these 'plagues' are specific acts of judgment, distinct from general sickness, and are intimately connected to the themes of atonement and protection, as seen in the Passover (Exodus 12:13) and the ransom payment (Exodus 30:12).
In its ancient Near Eastern context, outbreaks of disease were often understood as divine judgments. The use of נֶגֶף in the biblical text aligns with this worldview but uniquely attributes the cause specifically to the God of Israel, Yahweh, in the context of His covenant relationship with His people. The threat of a נֶגֶף served as a powerful deterrent and a call to ritual purity and obedience.
מַגֵּפָה (magephah, H4046) — A more common word for 'plague' or 'slaughter,' often used interchangeably but sometimes implying a larger-scale blow. דֶּבֶר (dever, H1698) — Specifically 'pestilence,' a contagious, fatal disease, often as an instrument of judgment. כָּשַׁל (kashal, H3782) — The verb 'to stumble, stagger,' focusing on the act of falling rather than the cause.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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