Lexical Summary limos: Famine, hunger Original Word: λιμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance dearth, famine, hunger. Probably from leipo (through the idea of destitution); a scarcity of food -- dearth, famine, hunger. see GREEK leipo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition hunger, famine NASB Translation famine (7), famines (3), hunger (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3042: λιμόςλιμός, λιμοῦ, ὁ (and ἡ in Doric and later writings; so L T Tr WH in Luke 15:14; Acts 11:28; so, too, in Isaiah 8:21; 1 Kings 18:2; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 188; (Liddell and Scott, under the word at the beginning; WHs Appendix, p. 157a); Buttmann, 12 (11); Winers Grammar, 63 (62) (cf. 36), and 526 (490)); the Sept. very often for רָעָב; hunger: Luke 15:17; Romans 8:35; ἐν λιμῷ καί δίψει, 2 Corinthians 11:21; Xenophon, mem. 1, 4, 13; equivalent to scarcity of harvest, famine: Luke 4:25; Luke 15:14; Acts 7:11; Acts 11:28 (cf. Buttmann, 81 (71)); Revelation 6:8; Revelation 18:8; λιμοί, famines in divers lands, Mark 13:8; λιμοί καί λοιμοί, Matthew 24:7 (L T Tr text WH omit καί λοιμοί); Luke 21:11; Theophilus ad Autol. 2, 9; the two are joined in the singular in Hesiod, Works, 226; Herodotus 7, 171; Philo, vit. Moys. i. § 19; Plutarch, de Isa. et Osir. 47. Topical Lexicon Thematic Overview Like drought that scorches the land, Strong’s Greek 3042 threads through Scripture as a tangible reminder of human dependence on God for daily bread and a figurative signpost pointing to spiritual hunger apart from Him. Whether literal, prophetic, pastoral, or eschatological, each occurrence underscores divine sovereignty, calls for repentance, and magnifies Christ’s sufficiency. Narrative Settings 1. Luke 4:25 anchors famine in Israel’s history under Elijah: “a great famine swept over all the land.” The episode reveals God’s prerogative to withhold rain, exposing idolatry and prompting a remnant to trust His word. Apostolic Experience 2 Corinthians 11:27 lists famine among Paul’s hardships. The missionary pattern of embracing hunger for Gospel advance testifies that ministry may suffer material want while remaining spiritually rich (Philippians 4:12-13). Prophetic and Apostolic Prediction Acts 11:28 records Agabus foretelling a world-wide famine “under Claudius.” The church’s relief offering that follows becomes an early model of global benevolence, uniting Jew and Gentile believers in practical love. Eschatological Portents Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:11 treat famines as “birth pains” that herald Christ’s return. Revelation 6:8 pictures famine riding with war, death, and plague; Revelation 18:8 enumerates it among Babylon’s terminal judgments. These passages assure believers that global upheavals, though terrifying, unfold within the Lamb’s sealed scroll. Theology of Judgment and Mercy Famine often emerges in covenant contexts (Leviticus 26:19-20; but see Luke 21:11). While judgment is evident, mercy runs deeper: scarcity awakens contrition (Joel 1:13-14) and sets the stage for divine intervention (2 Kings 7). New Testament usage continues the pattern, presenting famine both as penalty and providential means of salvation history. Spiritual Application Romans 8:35 includes famine among threats unable to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Physical deprivation loses its terror when viewed through the lens of inseparable grace. Thus believers respond to material shortage with contentment, generosity, and evangelistic urgency. Christological Fulfillment Jesus, who multiplied loaves and called Himself “the bread of life,” answers every form of hunger (John 6:35). The same Lord who predicted famines (Matthew 24:7) ultimately satisfies the needy (Revelation 7:16–17), replacing famine with everlasting fullness. Pastoral and Missional Insights • Relief ministries mirror the Antioch church’s response, coupling prophecy with practical aid. Conclusion Across twelve New Testament verses, Greek 3042 acts as a theological touchstone: warning of judgment, beckoning to repentance, displaying apostolic compassion, and exalting Christ as the ultimate provision. In every era, famine presses God’s people to seek the One who alone can fill both stomach and soul. Forms and Transliterations λιμοι λιμοί λιμοὶ λιμον λιμόν λιμὸν λιμος λιμός λιμὸς λιμού λιμω λιμώ λιμῷ λίμω λιμώξουσιν λινά λινάς λινή λινήν λινοίς λινοκαλάμη λινούν λοιμοὶ limo limō limoi limoí limoì limôi limō̂i limon limòn limos limós limòs loimoi loimoìLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:7 N-NMPGRK: καὶ ἔσονται λιμοὶ καὶ σεισμοὶ NAS: places there will be famines and earthquakes. KJV: there shall be famines, and INT: and there will be famines and earthquakes Mark 13:8 N-NMP Luke 4:25 N-NMS Luke 15:14 N-NMS Luke 15:17 N-DMS Luke 21:11 N-NMP Acts 7:11 N-NMS Acts 11:28 N-AMS Romans 8:35 N-NMS 2 Corinthians 11:27 N-DMS Revelation 6:8 N-DMS Revelation 18:8 N-NMS Strong's Greek 3042 |
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