Plague as a Demonic Force

Plague, depicted as a demonic force named Reshef, is discussed in the ancient Israelite context as a force unleashed by God for judgment. Scriptures portray disease and ill health as a force out in the world that can bring destruction, translating into Hebrew as Reshef, an archer that launches fiery arrows of infection upon the population. The Old Testament references in Deuteronomy, Psalms, and Habakkuk illustrate this concept of plague as a force under God's control, affirmed through imagery and poetic language.