Horn
9th February 2013, 09:46 AM
Dever -
dever m (plural devers (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/devers#Portuguese))
duty (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/duty) (that which one is morally or legally obligated to do)
The Plague:
The fifth plague that God imposed on the Egyptians was Dever or pestilence. All Egyptian livestock, including cattle, horses, donkeys, etc. found in their fields were destroyed. The Jewish cattle were unharmed. In fact, Pharaoh investigated the Jewish cattle to ascertain if any were harmed and found that none were, however, he still persisted on disallowing the Israelites from leaving Egypt.
Why Pestilence and destruction of wild stock?
The Egyptians worshiped many animals, and many animal-headed deities. Horses and cattle were not only highly valued in the land of Egypt, but they were also sacred. The god Apis was represented as a bull, and had been worshipped in Egypt since around 3,000 B.C. Hence, God sent the plague of Dever to display His strength over their gods.
Additionally, we see a "Measure for Measure" - The Cattle Plague was a response to the the Egyptians' criminal appropriation of cattle belonging to Jews. By destroying the Egyptian livestock, God, as it were, took back the Egyptian cattle, thus demonstrating that unjust enrichment would not be tolerated.
The Pharaoh relented, promised to let the Israelites leave. And then, once the the Dever was removed, Pharaoh's heart hardened and he reneged on his promise.
http://www.mazornet.com/holidays/passover/plagues/dever.htm
dever m (plural devers (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/devers#Portuguese))
duty (http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/duty) (that which one is morally or legally obligated to do)
The Plague:
The fifth plague that God imposed on the Egyptians was Dever or pestilence. All Egyptian livestock, including cattle, horses, donkeys, etc. found in their fields were destroyed. The Jewish cattle were unharmed. In fact, Pharaoh investigated the Jewish cattle to ascertain if any were harmed and found that none were, however, he still persisted on disallowing the Israelites from leaving Egypt.
Why Pestilence and destruction of wild stock?
The Egyptians worshiped many animals, and many animal-headed deities. Horses and cattle were not only highly valued in the land of Egypt, but they were also sacred. The god Apis was represented as a bull, and had been worshipped in Egypt since around 3,000 B.C. Hence, God sent the plague of Dever to display His strength over their gods.
Additionally, we see a "Measure for Measure" - The Cattle Plague was a response to the the Egyptians' criminal appropriation of cattle belonging to Jews. By destroying the Egyptian livestock, God, as it were, took back the Egyptian cattle, thus demonstrating that unjust enrichment would not be tolerated.
The Pharaoh relented, promised to let the Israelites leave. And then, once the the Dever was removed, Pharaoh's heart hardened and he reneged on his promise.
http://www.mazornet.com/holidays/passover/plagues/dever.htm