Ten Plagues
Divine judgments on Egypt and diagnostic signs of leprosy.
AI-generated artistic depiction (no historical imagery exists)
The Ten Plagues are a series of divine judgments sent upon Pharaoh and Egypt, as described in the book of Exodus. The LORD tells Moses that Pharaoh's heart is hardened and he refuses to let the people go (Exodus 7:14), and that He will send all His plagues upon Pharaoh's heart, servants, and people so that they may know there is none like Him in all the earth (Exodus 9:14). The plagues culminate in a final plague after which Pharaoh will thrust the Israelites out (Exodus 11:1). The term 'plague' also appears in other contexts, such as the plague of leprosy described in Leviticus, which involves diagnostic procedures by the priest (Leviticus 13:2-3).
Lore & Background
In Exodus, the plagues are a direct response to Pharaoh's hardened heart and refusal to release the Israelites (Exodus 7:14). The LORD declares He will send all His plagues to demonstrate His unique power (Exodus 9:14). The final plague involves the blood of a lamb as a token, so that the plague will pass over the Israelites and not destroy them (Exodus 12:13). Earlier, the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house because of Sarai, Abram's wife (Genesis 12:17). The concept of plague also extends to punishment for idolatry, as when the LORD plagued the people for making the golden calf (Exodus 32:35). A ransom is prescribed when numbering the Israelites to prevent a plague (Exodus 30:12).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray 'plague' in two distinct categories: divine judgments on Egypt and diagnostic conditions in Leviticus. In Exodus, plagues are sent by the LORD as acts of judgment and deliverance, often linked to Pharaoh's obstinacy (Exodus 7:14, 9:14, 11:1). The blood on the houses serves as a protective sign against the destroying plague (Exodus 12:13). In Leviticus, 'plague' refers to a skin disease, likely leprosy, which the priest must examine and pronounce clean or unclean based on specific signs such as depth, hair color, and spread (Leviticus 13:3-6, 13:20, 13:25, 13:30). The leper must cry 'Unclean, unclean' and live apart (Leviticus 13:45). These two uses share the idea of a visible manifestation requiring priestly or divine intervention, but their contexts differ: one is national and punitive, the other individual and diagnostic.
Did You Know?
- The LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram’s wife (Genesis 12:17).
- The blood on the houses was a token so that the plague would not destroy the Israelites when the LORD smote Egypt (Exodus 12:13).
- A ransom for the soul was required when numbering Israel to prevent a plague (Exodus 30:12).
- In Leviticus, a leprosy covering the entire body could result in the priest pronouncing the person clean (Leviticus 13:13).