A serious shortage of food caused by drought, war or natural disasters. Famine is seen as a sign of God's judgment on Israel.

Genesis 12:10

Examples of famines

See also

In the days of Abraham

Genesis 26:1
Genesis 41:53-57
Acts 7:11

In the days of Joseph

Ruth 1:1

In the days of Ruth

2 Samuel 21:1

In the days of David

1 Kings 18:1-5
Luke 4:25

In the days of Elijah

2 Kings 4:38; 6:25

In the days of Elisha

Isaiah 51:19
Jeremiah 44:13

In the days of the prophets

Ezekiel 7:15
Joel 1:10-12
Acts 11:28

In the days of Claudius

Matthew 24:7

In the last days

pp Mk 13:8

See also

pp Lk 21:11

Natural causes of famine

Deuteronomy 28:22
1 Kings 18:1-2

crop disease

Jeremiah 14:1-6

Drought:

2 Kings 6:24-25; 25:1-3
Joel 1:4

War:

locusts

Deuteronomy 28:15-18

Spiritual causes of famine

See also

The disobedience of God's people

Deuteronomy 28:22-24,38-40,42,51,53; 32:24
Judges 6:1-5
2 Samuel 21:1; 24:13
Isaiah 51:19-20
Jeremiah 5:17; 11:22; 14:11-18; 18:21; 29:17-18; 32:24

pp 1Ch 21:11-12

Ezekiel 5:16-17; 6:11-12; 14:13
Genesis 41:28-30
Isaiah 14:29-30

God's judgment on the ungodly

Revelation 6:8; 18:8
Lamentations 4:9

The effects of famine

See also

Desperation and death

Genesis 47:13,20
Deuteronomy 28:53
2 Kings 7:3-4
Nehemiah 5:3
Jeremiah 52:6
Luke 15:14-16; 23:28-29
Judges 6:6

See also

God's people seek him and return to him

2 Samuel 21:1
Luke 15:17-18
Genesis 41:25-27

God's provision in famine

1 Kings 17:1

He gives warnings beforehand

2 Kings 8:1
Acts 11:28
Genesis 41:33-36; 42:1-2; 45:11; 47:4
Psalms 105:16-22

He gives wisdom to men

Acts 7:10-11
Job 5:20

See also

He provides for his people

Genesis 26:1-3
1 Kings 17:2-16
Psalms 33:18-19; 37:19
Ezekiel 34:29; 36:29-30

Sometimes he provides miraculously

2 Kings 7:1-9,16
Jeremiah 32:36-37

He sends deliverance

Jeremiah 27:12-13; 38:2-3; 42:13-17; 44:27

Responses to famine

Accepting God's chastisements

Genesis 45:11
Ruth 1:1

Caring for one's family

2 Kings 8:1-2
Acts 11:29-30

Helping those in need

1 Kings 8:35-40

Praying

Romans 8:35-37

pp 2Ch 6:26-31

See also

Trusting in the Lord

1030 God, compassion
1355 providence
4464 harvest
4817 drought, spiritual
5341 hunger
5529 sieges
5605 warfare
6732 repentance
7328 ceremonies
8359 weakness, spiritual
8718 disobedience
9210 judgment, God's