FAMINE

- Sent by God Ps 10:16 - Often on account of sin Le 26:21,26; La 4:4-6 - One of God's four sore judgments Eze 14:21 - CAUSED BY . God's blessing withheld Ho 2:8,9; Hag 1:6 . Want of seasonable rain 1Ki 17:1; Jer 14:1-4; Am 4:7 . Rotting of the seed in the ground Joe 1:17 . Swarms of insects De 28:38,42; Joe 1:4 . Blasting and mildew Am 4:9; Hag 2:17 . Devastation by enemies De 28:33,51 - Often long continued Ge 41:27; 2Ki 8:1,2 - Often severe Ge 12:10; 1Ki 18:2; Jer 52:6 - EXPRESSED BY . Taking away the stay of bread, Isa 3:1 . Cleanness of Teeth Am 4:6 . The arrows of famine Eze 5:16 - Often accompanied by war Jer 14:15; 29:18 - Often followed by pestilence Jer 42:17; Eze 7:15; Mt 24:7 - THINGS EATEN DURING . Wild herbs 2Ki 4:39,40 . Ass's flesh 2Ki 6:25 . Dung 2Ki 6:25; La 4:5 . Human flesh Le 26:29; 2Ki 6:28,29 - Provisions sold by weight during Eze 4:16 - Suffering of brute creation from Jer 14:5,6 - CAUSED . Burning and fever De 32:24 . Blackness of the skin La 4:8; 5:10 . Grief and mourning Joe 1:11-13 . Faintness Ge 47:13 . Wasting of the body La 4:8; Eze 4:17 . Death 2Ki 7:4; Jer 11:22 - God provided for his people during 1Ki 17:4,9; Job 5:20; Ps 33:19; 37:19 - INSTANCES OF, IN SCRIPTURE . In the days of Abraham Ge 12:10 . In the days of Isaac Ge 26:1 . In the days of Joseph Ge 41:53-56 . In the day of the Judges Ru 1:1 . In the reign of David 2Sa 21:1 . In the reign of Ahab 1Ki 17:1; 18:5 . In the time of Elisha 2Ki 4:38 . During the siege of Samaria 2Ki 6:25 . Of seven years foretold by Elisha 2Ki 8:1 . In the time of Jeremiah Jer 14:1 . During the siege of Jerusalem 2Ki 25:3 . After the captivity Ne 5:3 . In the reign of Claudius Caesar Ac 11:28 . Before destruction of Jerusalem Mt 24:7 - The Jews in their restored state not to be afflicted by Eze 36:29,30 - ILLUSTRATIVE OF . A dearth of the means of grace Am 8:11,12 . Destruction of idols Zep 2:11

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Scripture records several famines in Palestine, and the neighboring countries, Ge 12:10 26:1 Ru 1:1 2Ki 6:25 Ac 11:27. The most remarkable one was that of seven years in Egypt, while Joseph was governor, Ge 41:1-57. It was distinguished for its duration, extent, and severity; particularly as Egypt is one of the countries least subject to such a calamity, by reason of its general fertility. Famine is sometimes a natural effect, as when the Nile does not overflow in Egypt, or rains do not fall in Judea, at the customary season; or when caterpillars, locusts, or other insects, destroy the fruits. But all natural causes are under the control of God; and he often so directs them as to chastise the rebellious with want, 2Ki 8:1-2 Eze 6:1 Mt 24:7. The worst famine is a spiritual one, Am 8:11.

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Famine. Famine
The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen. 26:1). Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar (Gen. 26:1, 17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years (Gen. 41-45).

Famines were sent as an effect of God’s anger against a guilty people (2 Kings 8:1, 2; Amos 8:11; Deut. 28:22-42; 2 Sam. 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25-28; 25:3; Jer. 14:15; 19:9; 42:17, etc.). A famine was predicted by Agabus (Acts 11:28). Josephus makes mention of the famine which occurred A.D. 45. Helena, queen of Adiabene, being at Jerusalem at that time, procured corn from Alexandria and figs from Cyprus for its poor inhabitants.

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FAMINE. → Pharaoh forewarned of, in dreams Ge 41 → Described De 28:53-57; Isa 5:13; 9:18-21; 17:11; Jer 5:17; 14:1-6; 48:33; La 1:11,19; 2:11-22; 4:4-10; Joe 1:17-20 → Sent as a judgment Le 26:19-29; De 28:23,24,38-42; 1Ki 17:1; 2Ki 8:1; 1Ch 21:12; Ps 105:16; 107:33,34; Isa 3:1-8; 14:30; Jer 19:9; 14:15-22; 29:17,19; La 5:4,5,10; Eze 4:16,17; 5:16,17; 14:13; Joe 1:15,16; Am 4:6-9; 5:16,17; Hag 1:10,11; Mt 24:7; Lu 21:11; Re 6:5-8 → Cannibalism in De 28:53; 2Ki 6:28 → Righteous delivered from Job 5:20; Ps 33:19; 37:19 → FIGURATIVE Am 8:11 → INSTANCES OF
* In Canaan Ge 12:10; 26:1; 2Sa 21:1; 1Ki 17; 18:1; 2Ki 6:25-29; 7:4
* In Jerusalem, from siege 2Ki 25:3; Jer 52:6
* In Egypt Ge 41:53-57
* Universal Ac 11:28

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famine|famin. Famine, or Famin, n. a dearth, a want of sufficient food for the inhabitants of a country

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Fam″ine (?), n. [[F. famine, fr. L. fames hunger; cf. Gr. ����� want, need, Skr. hāni loss, lack, hā to leave.]] General scarcity of food; dearth; a want of provisions; destitution. “Worn with famine.” Milton. There was a famine in the land. Gen. xxvi. 1. Famine fever (Med.), typhus fever.