PLAGA: This Word is taken sometimes for a Coast, or a certain Point of the Compass. Plaga orientalis, the Eastern Coast: Ad australem plagam Cerethi, to the South of the Cerethites, or Philistines: Plaga maris, the Coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that is to the West: Amos iii. 12. In Samaria, in plaga lectuli, & in Damasci grabato; Those that dwell in Samaria, in the Corner of the Bed, and in the Couch of Damascus. The Israelites flatter themselves with a long Peace, and Rest in Quiet upon their own Beds, and upon the Bed of Damascus, under the happy Reign of Jeroboam II. and in Alliance with the Kings of Damascus. But the Lord shall soon rouse them, and break their Rest.
Gen. xii. 17.Plaga, in the Sense of a Blow, or Stroke, signifies Wounding, Chastisement, Plagues sent by God, or Misfortunes proceeding from Men. For Example; God smote Pharaoh with great Evils, great Troubles. Flagellavit Dominus Pharaonem plagis maximis. The Leprosy, Levit. xiii. 2, 3, 9, &c.is call’d Plaga lepræ, the Correction of the Leprosy; because it was consider’d as a Blow from the Hand of God. The Leprosy of Buildings, is call’d Plaga lepræ, as well as that of Men. The Lord sent the Plague, or Mortality, amongst the Israelites, after the Eating of Meat: Et percussit eos plagâ magnâ nimis. The Punishment Judg. xi. 33. & xv. 8. 1 Mac. v. 3. 2 Sam. vii. 14.with which God smote the Philistines, by sending against them a Multitude of Rats, is call’d a Plague.
God tells David, That if his Son, who is to succeed him in the Kingdom, shall fall into the Commission of any Faults, he should be punished with the Plague, with which he punishes the Children of Men: Arguam eum in virga virorum, & in plagis filiorum hominum; I will not destroy him, but I will treat him as a Father treats his Children, and as I am used to punish the Children of Men. The Wound 1 Kings viii. 38.or Sore of the Heart, plaga cordis, means Sin, secret Iniquity, the Wounds of the Soul. Siquis cognoverit plagam cordis sui, Tob. ii. 13. Jer. xxx. 12.&c. Plaga cœcitatis, Blindness; Plagâ inimici percussi te; I smote you, as an Enemy; I have given you a mortal Wound. 2 Mac. ix. 5.God struck Antiochus, insanabili & invisibili plagâ, with a Distemper that was incurable, invisible, internal, and secret. Marc. v. 29.The Hemorrhoidal Woman, in the Gospel, was cured of her Plague, plagâ suâ, sua, of her Disease, by touching the Hem of the Garment of Jesus Christ.