DESTROYER, The

1. Divine agent sent to carry out a sentence of destruction. The destroyer killed Egypt’s firstborn, culminating the plagues and releasing the Hebrews from slavery (Ex 12:23; cf. Heb 11:28). The apostle Paul used the term for God’s judgment on the rebellious Israelites in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:10; cf. Nm 16:44-50).

2. In plural form, “destroyers” implies destruction carried out by a group of agents, whether angelic or human (Jb 33:22; Jer 22:7).

3. In a broader sense, any agent of destruction (Jb 15:21; Jer 4:7).

4. Samson was called a destroyer by his Philistine captors (Jgs 16:24).