πληγή

a blow, stripe, wound

Definition

The Greek word πληγή primarily means a physical blow, wound, or stripe, as seen when the Good Samaritan tends to the man who fell among robbers (Luke 10:30). It extends to the metaphorical sense of an affliction or calamity, such as the hardships endured by the apostles (2 Corinthians 6:5). In the Book of Revelation, it takes on a specialized, eschatological meaning, referring to divine plagues or judgments sent from God, as with the plagues that do not lead the unrepentant to turn from idolatry (Revelation 9:20). Thus, its meaning spans from literal injury to divine chastisement.

Biblical Usage

πληγή is used in various contexts across the New Testament. In the Gospels and Acts, it often refers to literal wounds from beatings (Luke 12:48, Acts 16:23, 33). Paul uses it metaphorically for the many hardships and sufferings he endured in his apostolic ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23). Its most distinctive usage is in Revelation, where it describes the series of divine plagues and judgments poured out on the earth (e.g., Revelation 11:6, 9:20), a usage that dominates its occurrences.

Etymology

Derived from the verb πλήσσω (plēssō), meaning 'to strike' or 'to smite.' It is a primary noun form indicating the result of that action—a stroke or blow. Cognates and related words in Greek often carry this sense of inflicting a wound or impact.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges human suffering and divine action. In passages like Revelation, πληγή is a key term for God's judicial plagues, highlighting themes of judgment, repentance, and sovereignty. Understanding its range—from apostolic suffering to eschatological wrath—enriches reading by showing how physical affliction can point to spiritual realities and God's ultimate justice.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, physical beatings (πληγαί) were a common form of punishment, both judicially (e.g., scourgings) and extra-judicially (e.g., robberies). The metaphorical use for calamities would also resonate in a culture familiar with plagues and disasters often attributed to divine displeasure. The concept of divinely sent plagues has deep roots in the Old Testament (e.g., the Exodus plagues), which the New Testament, especially Revelation, consciously echoes.

μάστιξ (mastix, G3148) — specifically a whip or scourge, often for punishment. θλῖψις (thlipsis, G2347) — generally tribulation or pressure, more about distress than a physical blow. ἕλκος (helkos, G1668) — a wound or sore, often an ulcer, focusing on the injury itself.

Word Details

Scripture References