"a pestilence, plague, Lk. 21:11; met. a pest, pestilent fellow, Acts 24:5*"
Definition and meaning
a pestilence, plague, Lk. 21:11; met. a pest, pestilent fellow, Acts 24:5*
In the original Greek the word is written: λοιμός
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of loimos (G3061) across the King James Bible.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G3061 (loimos) is a Greek word that means: a pestilence, plague, Lk. 21:11; met. a pest, pestilent fellow, Acts 24:5* It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word loimos (G3061) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3061 is loimos, a Greek word defined as: a pestilence, plague, Lk. 21:11; met. a pest, pestilent fellow, Acts 24:5*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
loimos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.