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πληγή

plēgḗ

G4127 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A blow or strike, especially one that produces a wound; an injury caused by force. By extension, any blow, injury, or calamity, often in the sense of a disaster or affliction. In plural forms, can refer to outbreaks of misfortune, pestilence, or plagues. Figuratively, used for severe divine punishment or affliction, often seen as an act of judgment or disaster.

Semantic Range

blow, strike, wound, physical injury, stripe (mark of a blow), affliction, calamity, disaster, plague (disease or divine punishment), figure for disaster or judgment

Root / Etymology

From the root πληγ- (plēg-), related to the verb πλήσσω (plḗssō), meaning 'to strike' or 'to smite.' The noun form πληγή arises as the result or effect of striking. Cognate with classical Greek πληγή (wound, blow).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πληγή refers to a physical strike or body blow—especially one given in battle or as a penalty. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, the word expands to mean any wound or injury, both literal and metaphorical, and can be transferred to speak of natural disasters, affliction, or outbreaks of disease (notably in the Septuagint, where πληγή translates several Hebrew words for plague or calamity). In the New Testament, πληγή regularly denotes physical affliction (e.g., wounds, beatings; Acts 16:23,33) but also is frequently used in apocalyptic or prophetic contexts for calamities or divine punishments (Luke 10:30; Rev. 15:1,6,8; 16:9,21). Standard English translations such as 'plague,' 'wound,' or 'stripe' reflect aspects of the word’s use, but the term's range in Greek encompasses both concrete and metaphorical violence, injury, and disaster. Related terms include μάστιξ (mastix, 'scourge,' 'whip'), which often emphasizes punishment, and τραῦμα (trauma, 'wound'), which is mostly restricted to bodily injury.

Translation Consistency

primary "plague" 13 occurrences

Across the occurrences the dominant English rendering is the idea of plague/plagues (calamity, pestilence, divine affliction). Although the root can mean a literal blow or wound, in biblical usage the extended sense of calamity or pestilence is most common and natural in English. “Plague” cleanly covers singular/plural and both concrete and figurative senses, so it provides a consistent, natural translation for all forms of πληγή.

Alternatives (9 occurrences):
"blows" (5x) "wound" (2x) "wounding blows" (1x) "blow" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from πλήσσω; a stroke; by implication, a wound; figuratively, a calamity:--plague, stripe, wound(-ed).

Root Family

πληγή (plēgē) — blow, strike, wound, affliction, calamity

Root πληγ- to strike, to smite, to wound

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4127-03 πληγὰς plegas N ACC F PL plagues wounding blows plagues 6
G4127-07 πληγῶν plegon N GEN F PL plagues of blows of plagues 5
G4127-04 πληγῇ plege N DAT F SG plague with a blow with a plague blow 4
G4127-02 πληγαῖς plegais N DAT F PL plagues blows blows 3
G4127-01 πληγαὶ plegai N NOM F PL plagues wounding blows plagues 2
G4127-05 πληγὴν plegen N ACC F SG wound a blow wound 1
G4127-06 πληγῆς pleges N GEN F SG plague of a blow plague 1

Occurrences in Scripture

22 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4127-03 Luke 10:30 πληγὰς plegas N ACC F PL wounds wounding blows wounding blows
G4127-07 Luke 12:48 πληγῶν plegon N GEN F PL of blows of blows of blows
G4127-03 Acts 16:23 πληγὰς plegas N ACC F PL blows wounding blows blows
G4127-07 Acts 16:33 πληγῶν plegon N GEN F PL stripes of blows blows
G4127-02 2 Corinthians 6:5 πληγαῖς plegais N DAT F PL beatings blows blows
G4127-02 2 Corinthians 11:23 πληγαῖς plegais N DAT F PL stripes blows blows
G4127-07 Revelation 9:18 πληγῶν plegon N GEN F PL plagues of blows of plagues
G4127-02 Revelation 9:20 πληγαῖς plegais N DAT F PL plagues blows plagues
G4127-04 Revelation 11:6 πληγῇ plege N DAT F SG plague with a blow with a plague blow
G4127-04 Revelation 13:3 πληγὴ plege N NOM F SG wound with a blow blow
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