The term "famished" refers to an extreme state of hunger or starvation, often used in the Bible to describe both physical and spiritual conditions. In the Scriptures, being famished is not only a physical state but also a metaphor for spiritual desolation and need for God.

Physical Hunger

In the Bible, physical hunger is a reality faced by many, often as a result of famine, war, or poverty. Famines were common in the ancient Near East and are frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. For instance, during the time of Joseph, a severe famine affected Egypt and the surrounding regions, leading to widespread hunger. Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams and subsequent management of grain storage saved many from being famished (Genesis 41:54-57).

The Israelites experienced hunger during their wilderness journey after the Exodus from Egypt. In Exodus 16:3, the Israelites lamented, "If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this desert to starve this whole assembly to death." God responded by providing manna, demonstrating His provision even in times of physical need.

Spiritual Hunger

Beyond physical hunger, the Bible often uses the concept of being famished to describe a deep spiritual longing or need for God. In Amos 8:11, the prophet speaks of a famine not of bread, but of hearing the words of the LORD: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD."

This spiritual famishment highlights the necessity of God's word and presence in the lives of His people. Jesus, in the New Testament, addresses this spiritual hunger by declaring Himself the "bread of life" (John 6:35): "Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.'" Here, Jesus emphasizes that true satisfaction and fulfillment come from a relationship with Him.

Moral and Social Implications

The Bible also addresses the moral and social implications of hunger. Proverbs 10:3 states, "The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked." This verse suggests a divine justice where God provides for the needs of the righteous while the wicked face the consequences of their actions.

Furthermore, the call to care for the hungry is a recurring theme. Isaiah 58:10 encourages believers to "give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul," promising that such acts of compassion will lead to blessings from God.

Conclusion

In summary, the concept of being famished in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a reminder of human dependence on God's provision and the importance of seeking spiritual nourishment through His word and presence. The call to address physical hunger through acts of compassion reflects the moral responsibility of believers to care for those in need.(imp. & p. p.) of Famish.7458. raab -- famine, hunger
... Word Origin from raeb Definition famine, hunger NASB Word Usage famine (94),
famished (1), hunger (6). dearth, famine, famished, hunger. ...
/hebrew/7458.htm - 6k

7457. raeb -- hungry
... hungry. Word Origin from raeb Definition hungry NASB Word Usage famished
(3), hungry (16), hungry man (1). hunger bitten, hungry. ...
/hebrew/7457.htm - 6k

5889. ayeph -- faint, weary
... Word Origin from iph Definition faint, weary NASB Word Usage faint (2), famished
(2), parched (2), weary (11). faint, thirsty, weary. ...
/hebrew/5889.htm - 6k

7456. raeb -- to be hungry
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be hungry NASB Word Usage famished (1),
gets hungry (1), hunger (3), hungry (6), suffer hunger (2). ...
/hebrew/7456.htm - 6k

'As Sodom'
... for the people'! Lamentations is full of the cries of famished children
and mothers who eat the fruit of their own bodies. At last ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/as sodom.htm

Before Egypt's Throne
... the capital. "Perchance, thou hast been famished these fourteen days in
the matter of court-gossip," the captain said. "Wherefore ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxix before egypts throne.htm

A Short and Easy Method of Prayer
... 37; Jeremiah 2:13). Come, ye famished souls, who find naught whereon to
feed; come, and ye shall be fully satisfied! Come, ye poor ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/a short and easy method.htm

The Perennial Freshness of the Bible Bears Witness to Its Divine ...
... to them who hunger after righteousness; or, just as the loaves and fishes in the
hands of our Lord were more than enough to feed the famished multitude"a ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter two the perennial freshness.htm

I was a Wand'ring Sheep.
... sought His sheep, The Father sought His child, They followed me o'er vale and hill,
O'er deserts waste and wild; They found me nigh to death, Famished and faint ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/i was a wandring sheep.htm

Of Sufferings
... It is impossible to love God without loving the Cross; and a heart that favours
the Cross, finds the bitterest things to be sweet: "A famished soul findeth ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter vii of sufferings.htm

Pilgrims of the Victorious Life
... I never know what it is to be free from pain or poverty. If it were not for Honey
Rock, I certainly should have famished long ago.". "Where is Honey Rock?". ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter thirteen pilgrims of the.htm

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
... 16). If the hungry man be not satisfied with food he dies. God has more
bowels than to suffer an hungry soul to be famished. When ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/14 spiritual hunger shall be.htm

Blessed be that Child, who Gladdened Bethlehem To-Day!
... Blessed be the Babe Who made manhood young again to-day! Blessed be the
Fruit, Who lowered Himself to our famished state! Blessed ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn ii blessed be that.htm

A Prophet's Woes
... Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and
their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.14 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a prophets woes.htm

Famished (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Famished (8 Occurrences). Genesis 25:29 Jacob boiled stew.
Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/famished.htm - 8k

Famish (2 Occurrences)
... fam'-ish ra`ebh, razah): "To famish" as a transitive verb is the translation of
ra`ebh, "to hunger" (Genesis 41:55): "All the land of Egypt was famished"; of ra ...
/f/famish.htm - 8k

Stew (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stew (7 Occurrences). Genesis 25:29 Jacob boiled stew.
Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/s/stew.htm - 9k

Esau (89 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:29 Jacob boiled stew. Esau came in from the field, and he was
famished. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/esau.htm - 41k

Famous (20 Occurrences)

/f/famous.htm - 12k

I'm (30 Occurrences)
... Genesis 25:30 Esau said to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for
I am famished." Therefore his name was called Edom. (See NIV). ...
/i/i'm.htm - 14k

Tells (38 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh
for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. ...
/t/tells.htm - 16k

Egyptians (108 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh
for bread, and Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph. ...
/e/egyptians.htm - 40k

Boiled (15 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Boiled (15 Occurrences). Genesis 25:29 Jacob boiled stew.
Esau came in from the field, and he was famished. (WEB ASV WBS). ...
/b/boiled.htm - 11k

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