ne.geph denotes a destructive affliction that comes upon a people and is portrayed as something to be averted.

The attested noun denotes a destructive affliction coming upon people or a congregation: it is prevented by the blood-marked houses, a ransom at a census, and atonement connected with approaching holiness. It also occurs in the description “a stone of plague,” without supplying evidence for a separate meaning.

1. Destructive affliction upon people · dominant

   In Exodus 12:13, the singular absolute noun occurs in the assurance that no destructive affliction will be among those in blood-marked houses; the APB renders the clause “there shall be no plague of destruction among you.” In Exodus 30:12 and Numbers 8:19, it is something that may come upon the Israelites and is to be prevented through ransom or atonement; Joshua 22:17 recalls an affliction that came upon the congregation after the sin of Peor. Isaiah 8:14 places the noun in the phrase rendered “a stone of plague,” while Numbers 17:12 follows with Israel's cry that they are dying and perishing.

   Exodus 12:13Exodus 30:12Isaiah 8:14Joshua 22:17Numbers 17:12Numbers 8:19

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB usually presents the noun with “plague,” including “plague of destruction” in Exodus 12:13 and “plague came upon the congregation” in Joshua 22:17. In Numbers 17:12 it instead renders the surrounding response as dying and perishing.