Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5341 hunger
A state of emptiness, reflecting a lack of physical or spiritual food. Scripture recognises the physical aspects of human hunger which can only be met by the living God.
Kinds of hunger
Physical
Deuteronomy 8:3
Spiritual
Matthew 5:6 See also Psalm 63:1,5; Psalm 107:9; Amos 8:11; Luke 6:21; John 6:35; 1 Peter 2:2
Causes of hunger
Famine
Genesis 41:55; 2 Kings 6:25-29; Nehemiah 5:1-2
Fasting
Matthew 4:2 pp Luke 4:2
Fatigue
1 Samuel 21:3; 2 Samuel 17:29; Matthew 12:1-4; Mark 6:35-36; Mark 8:2-3
Folly
Proverbs 19:15; Proverbs 20:4; Luke 15:14
God's action
Leviticus 26:26; Deuteronomy 28:48; Isaiah 5:13; Isaiah 9:20; Ezekiel 7:19
The hardships of gospel work
1 Corinthians 4:11; 2 Corinthians 6:5; Corinthians 11:27; Philippians 4:12
Effects of hunger
Physical deterioration
Job 30:3; Lamentations 2:19; Lamentations 4:9
Mental preoccupation
Isaiah 29:8; Acts 10:10-13 Peter's consciousness was supernaturally heightened to receive a vision from God.
Moral degradation
Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53; 2 Kings 6:28-29; Jeremiah 19:9; Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 4:10; Ezekiel 5:10
An occasion for temptation
Genesis 3:6 Eve; Genesis 25:29-34 Esau; Proverbs 6:30-31; Isaiah 8:21; Matthew 4:3 pp Luke 4:3 Jesus Christ
An opportunity for proving God
Deuteronomy 8:3; Nehemiah 9:15; Philippians 4:12
God satisfies hunger
He provides food for all creation
Psalm 107:9; Psalm 145:15-16 See also Deuteronomy 32:13-14; Psalm 17:14; Psalm 37:25; Psalm 104:21,27-28; Psalm 111:5; Psalm 132:15; Psalm 136:25; Psalm 146:7; Psalm 147:9; Isaiah 49:10
He provides through supernatural means
Psalm 78:24-25 See also Exodus 16:12-15; 1 Kings 17:4-16; Nehemiah 9:15; Matthew 14:19-21 pp Mark 6:41-44 pp Luke 9:16-17 pp John 6:11-14 the feeding of the 5,000; Mark 8:7-8
He provides through natural means
Genesis 3:17-19; Joshua 5:12; Proverbs 16:26; Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35; 2 Thessalonians 3:10
He provides completely in heaven
Revelation 7:16
Jesus Christ was hungry
Matthew 4:2 pp Luke 4:2; Matthew 21:18 pp Mark 11:12; John 4:31
See also
2033 Christ, humanity 4404 food 4438 eating 4822 famine 5185 stomach 5560 suffering 5580 thirst 5792 appetite 5845 emptiness 5939 satisfaction 8429 fasting 8656 longing for God