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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Murrain</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/m/murrain.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/exodus/9-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/m/murrain.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Murrain</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/m/murmurings.htm" title="Murmurings">◄</a> Murrain <a href="/topical/naves/m/murrain_(a_disease_of_livestock)--a_plague_of_egypt.htm" title="Murrain (A Disease of Livestock): A Plague of Egypt">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#amt" title="American Tract Society Bible Dictionary">ATS</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#eas" title="Easton's Bible Dictionary">Easton's</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Murrain is a term used in the Bible to describe a severe plague or pestilence that affects livestock, leading to widespread death among animals. This term is most notably associated with the fifth plague that God inflicted upon Egypt as recorded in the Book of Exodus. The Hebrew word for murrain is "דֶּבֶר" (dever), which can be translated as "pestilence" or "plague."<br><br><b>Biblical Context</b><br><br>The account of murrain is found in <a href="/exodus/9.htm">Exodus 9:1-7</a>, where it is described as one of the ten plagues that God sent upon Egypt to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. The Berean Standard Bible renders the passage as follows:<br><br>"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Go to Pharaoh and tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: "Let My people go, so that they may worship Me. But if you refuse to let them go and continue to hold them, then the hand of the LORD will bring a severe plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys, camels, herds, and flocks. But the LORD will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die."’ The LORD set a time, saying, 'Tomorrow the LORD will do this in the land.' And the next day the LORD did just that. All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died. Pharaoh sent officials to investigate, and indeed, not a single animal of the Israelites had died. But the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he would not let the people go." (<a href="/exodus/9.htm">Exodus 9:1-7</a>)<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>The plague of murrain serves as a demonstration of God's power and sovereignty over creation. It highlights the distinction God makes between His people and their oppressors, as none of the Israelites' livestock were affected. This distinction underscores the theme of divine protection and favor towards those who are in covenant with God.<br><br>Theologically, murrain can be seen as a judgment against the false gods of Egypt, particularly those associated with fertility and livestock, such as Apis and Hathor. By striking at the heart of Egypt's agricultural economy and religious symbols, God reveals the impotence of these deities and asserts His supremacy.<br><br><b>Historical and Cultural Context</b><br><br>In the ancient Near East, livestock were a critical component of the economy and daily life. They provided food, clothing, and labor, and were often associated with wealth and prosperity. The sudden loss of livestock due to murrain would have had devastating economic and social consequences for the Egyptians, further intensifying the impact of the plague.<br><br>The distinction made between the livestock of the Egyptians and the Israelites also served as a powerful sign to both the Egyptians and the Israelites of God's active involvement in the affairs of His people. It reinforced the message that God was not only the Creator but also the protector and deliverer of Israel.<br><br><b>Murrain in Later Biblical References</b><br><br>While the specific term "murrain" is not frequently used in later biblical texts, the concept of pestilence as a form of divine judgment recurs throughout Scripture. For example, in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-21.htm">Deuteronomy 28:21</a>, God warns Israel that disobedience will result in pestilence: "The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land you are entering to possess."<br><br>In summary, murrain in the biblical narrative serves as a powerful testament to God's judgment against sin and His protection of His covenant people. It is a vivid reminder of the consequences of hardening one's heart against God's commands and the ultimate futility of opposing His will.<a name="eas" id="eas"></a><div class="vheading2">Easton's Bible Dictionary</div>Hebrews deber, "destruction," a "great mortality", the fifth plague that fell upon the Egyptians (<a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Exodus 9:3</a>). It was some distemper that resulted in the sudden and widespread death of the cattle. It was confined to the cattle of the Egyptians that were in the field (<a href="/exodus/9-6.htm">9:6</a>). <a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) An infectious and fatal disease among cattle.<p>2. (<I>a.</I>) Having, or afflicted with, murrain.<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">MURRAIN</span><p>mur'-in, mur'-en, mur'-an (debher): This name is given to a fatal cattle-disease, which was the fifth of the plagues of Egypt (<a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Exodus 9:3</a>), and which affected not only the flocks and herds, but also the camels, horses and asses. The record of its onset immediately after the plague of flies makes it probable that it was an epizootic, whose germs were carried by these insects as those of rinderpest or splenic fever may be. Cattle plagues have in recent years been very destructive in Egypt; many writers have given descriptions of the great devastation wrought by the outbreak in 1842. In this case Wittmann noted that contact with the putrid carcasses caused severe boils, a condition also recorded in Exodus as following the murrain. The very extensive spread of rinderpest within the last few years in many districts of Egypt has not yet been completely stamped out, even in spite of the use of antitoxic serum and the most rigid isolation. The word "murrain" is probably a variant of the Old French morine. It is used as an imprecation by Shakespeare and other Elizabethan writers, and is still applied by herdsmen to several forms of epidemic cattle sickness. Among early writers it was used as well for fatal plagues affecting men; thus, Lydgate (1494) speaks of the people "slain by that moreyne."nt that at least two witnesses must concur in any capital question (<a href="/numbers/35-19.htm">Numbers 35:19-30</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6-12</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/19-12.htm">Deuteronomy 19:12, 17</a>). Under the monarchy the duty of executing justice on a murderer seems to have been assumed to some extent by the sovereign, who also had power to grant pardon (<a href="/2_samuel/13-39.htm">2 Samuel 13:39</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/14-7.htm">2 Samuel 14:7, 11</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-34.htm">1 Kings 2:34</a>).<br><br>Alexander Macalister<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/1698.htm"><span class="l">1698. deber -- pestilence</span></a><br><b>...</b> <b>murrain</b>, pestilence, plague. From dabar (in the sense of destroying); a pestilence --<br> <b>murrain</b>, pestilence, plague. see HEBREW dabar. 1697, 1698. deber. 1699 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/1698.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/kingsley/the_gospel_of_the_pentateuch/sermon_xi_the_god_of.htm"><span class="l">The God of the Old Testament is the God of the New</span></a> <br><b>...</b> servants, and all thy people, that thou mayest know that there is none like me in<br> all the earth.' The cattle and sheep shall be destroyed with <b>murrain</b>; man and <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xi the god of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_6_1860/full_redemption.htm"><span class="l">Full Redemption</span></a> <br><b>...</b> deals deceitfully, again refuses, again grows angry, and waxes proud; and God smites<br> the land with lice, with flies, with a very grievous <b>murrain</b>, with all <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_6_1860/separating_the_precious_from_the.htm"><span class="l">Separating the Precious from the Vile</span></a> <br><b>...</b> The Lord sent hail and a <b>murrain</b> upon all the cattle of the Egyptians; but the cattle<br> of the children of Israel were spared, and on their fields fell no <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/separating the precious from the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/mcfadyen/introduction_to_the_old_testament/exodus.htm"><span class="l">Exodus</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of Egypt and his unhappy land: the water of the Nile is turned into blood (vii.),<br> there are plagues of frogs, gnats, gadflies (viii.), <b>murrain</b>, boils, hail (ix <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm</font><p><a href="/library/miller/the_yoke/chapter_xxxvi_the_murkets_sacrifice.htm"><span class="l">The Murket's Sacrifice</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "Curse that smooth villain Har-hat!" he cried in a tempest of wrath. "A <b>murrain</b><br> upon his greedy, crafty lust! The gods blast him in his knavery! <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvi the murkets sacrifice.htm</font><p><a href="/library/miller/the_yoke/chapter_xxxvii_at_the_well.htm"><span class="l">At the Well</span></a> <br><b>...</b> the race, had become emaciation; there was the studious unkemptness of mourning<br> upon them, and they, who had ridden once, before the plagues of <b>murrain</b> and hail <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvii at the well.htm</font><p><a href="/library/aquinas/summa_theologica/whether_the_aforesaid_powers_are.htm"><span class="l">Whether the Aforesaid Powers are More Infected than the Others?</span></a> <br><b>...</b> to be infectious, which are of such a nature as to be transmitted from one subject<br> to another: hence contagious diseases, such as leprosy and <b>murrain</b> and the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the aforesaid powers are.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chrysostom/on_the_priesthood/treatise_on_the_priesthood_book_2.htm"><span class="l">Treatise on the Priesthood. Book ii.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> He indeed who has lost sheep, either through the ravages of wolves, or the attacks<br> of robbers, or through <b>murrain</b>, or any other disaster befalling them, might <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 2.htm</font><p><a href="/library/mcgarvey/the_four-fold_gospel/lvi_jesus_heals_two_gergesene.htm"><span class="l">Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> to the swine was done by the demons, and the owners had no more right to complain<br> than they would have had if the herd had been carried off by <b>murrain</b>, by flood <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lvi jesus heals two gergesene.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_61_1915/strong_faith_in_a_faithful.htm"><span class="l">Strong Faith in a Faithful God</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Know ye not that God can make the gnat and the fly to be a greater trouble<br> to Egypt than the <b>murrain</b>, the thunder, or the storm? <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/m/murrain.htm"><span class="l"><b>Murrain</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1. (n.) An infectious and fatal disease among cattle. 2. (a.) Having, or afflicted<br> with, <b>murrain</b>. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. <b>MURRAIN</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/murrain.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/plagues.htm"><span class="l">Plagues (28 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> INTRODUCTION I. NATURAL PHENOMENA 1. Water Turned to Blood 2. The Plague of Frogs<br> 3. The Plague of Lice 4. The Plague of Flies 5. The Plague of <b>Murrain</b> 6. The <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/plagues.htm - 44k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/murmurings.htm"><span class="l">Murmurings (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/murmurings.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/o/oxen.htm"><span class="l">Oxen (176 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels,<br> upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous <b>murrain</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/o/oxen.htm - 38k</font><p><a href="/topical/m/muscle.htm"><span class="l">Muscle (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/m/muscle.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/plague.htm"><span class="l">Plague (142 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> dog-fly), Exodus 8:21-24. (5.) The <b>murrain</b> (Exodus 9:1-7), or epidemic pestilence<br> which carried off vast numbers of cattle in the field. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/plague.htm - 49k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/pestilence.htm"><span class="l">Pestilence (57 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> pestilence is used of any visitation and is not the name of any special disease;<br> debher is applied to diseases of cattle and is translated "<b>murrain</b>." In the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/pestilence.htm - 31k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/boil.htm"><span class="l">Boil (29 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Egypt came without warning immediately after the insect plagues of kinnim (sandflies)<br> and that of `arobh or flies, and followed the epizootic <b>murrain</b>, which is <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/boil.htm - 23k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/asses.htm"><span class="l">Asses (68 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels,<br> upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous <b>murrain</b>. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/asses.htm - 29k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm"><span class="l">Egypt (596 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> INTRODUCTION I. NATURAL PHENOMENA 1. Water Turned to Blood 2. The Plague of Frogs<br> 3. The Plague of Lice 4. The Plague of Flies 5. The Plague of <b>Murrain</b> 6. The <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/egypt.htm - 101k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://clyx.com/term/murrain.htm">Murrain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Murrain (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/exodus/9-3.htm">Exodus 9:3</a></span><br />Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous <span class="boldtext">murrain</span>.<br /><span class="source">(KJV JPS ASV WBS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/m/murrain.htm">Murrain</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/m/murrain_(a_disease_of_livestock)--a_plague_of_egypt.htm">Murrain (A Disease of Livestock): A Plague of Egypt</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plagues.htm">Plagues (28 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/murmurings.htm">Murmurings (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/oxen.htm">Oxen (176 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/muscle.htm">Muscle (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/plague.htm">Plague (142 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pestilence.htm">Pestilence (57 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/boil.htm">Boil (29 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/asses.htm">Asses (68 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt (596 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/cattle.htm">Cattle (277 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sheep.htm">Sheep (413 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/m/murmurings.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Murmurings"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Murmurings" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/m/murrain_(a_disease_of_livestock)--a_plague_of_egypt.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Murrain (A Disease of Livestock): A Plague of Egypt"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Murrain (A Disease of Livestock): A Plague of Egypt" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>