In Plague of Ashdod (Poussin), how is the Interpretation discussed?
One interpretation of the story of Plague of Ashdod stems from a story of the stolen Ark of the Covenant by Philistines during battle. Because this Ark had been stolen, it was believed that plagues sent by the God of Israel ravaged the city, riddling the people with disease and death.  The purpose of these plagues would be a punishment and cause for the Ark of the Covenant to be returned to the Hebrews from whom it was stolen. Poussin depicts rats throughout the painting running around the bodies of the living and the dead. According to Asensi; when the Philistines sent the Ark of the Covenant back to the Hebrew people, it was sent with a "guilt offering" consisting of five gold rats and five gold tumors.
Ark of the Covenant Hebrews Philistines plague