The term "famish" refers to extreme hunger or starvation, a condition that is both physical and spiritual in the biblical context. The concept of famishing is used in Scripture to describe not only the physical deprivation of food but also a spiritual lack or need for God's word and presence.

Physical Famishing

In the Bible, famishing is often depicted as a consequence of disobedience or as a tool of divine judgment. For instance, in the Old Testament, famine is frequently portrayed as a result of Israel's unfaithfulness to God. In Deuteronomy 28:48 , God warns the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience: "You will serve your enemies the LORD will send against you in famine, thirst, nakedness, and destitution. He will place an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you."

Famines are recorded throughout the biblical narrative, affecting not only Israel but also surrounding nations. In Genesis 41, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine in Egypt. This event leads to Joseph's rise to power and the eventual migration of Jacob's family to Egypt, demonstrating God's providence even in times of scarcity.

Spiritual Famishing

Beyond physical hunger, the Bible uses the concept of famishing to describe a spiritual condition. Amos 8:11 speaks of a famine 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 passage highlights the dire consequences of spiritual neglect and the importance of seeking God's word.

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual nourishment. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Here, the metaphor of hunger is used to describe a deep longing for spiritual fulfillment and righteousness, which only God can satisfy.

Divine Provision

Despite the reality of famishing, the Bible consistently points to God's provision and care for His people. In Psalm 37:19 , it is written, "In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will be satisfied." This assurance reflects God's faithfulness to sustain those who trust in Him, even in the most challenging circumstances.

The account of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17 illustrates God's miraculous provision during a time of famine. God commands Elijah to go to Zarephath, where a widow is instructed to provide for him. Despite her own lack, God ensures that her jar of flour and jug of oil do not run dry, demonstrating His ability to provide abundantly in times of need.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of famishing serves as a powerful reminder of both the physical and spiritual needs of humanity. It underscores the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of seeking His provision and righteousness. Through the narratives of famine and divine provision, Scripture reveals God's sovereignty and faithfulness, encouraging believers to trust in His unfailing care.1. (v. t.) To starve, kill, or destroy with hunger.

2. (v. t.) To exhaust the strength or endurance of, by hunger; to distress with hanger.

3. (v. t.) To kill, or to cause to suffer extremity, by deprivation or denial of anything necessary.

4. (v. t.) To force or constrain by famine.

5. (v. i.) To die of hunger; to starve.

6. (v. i.) To suffer extreme hunger or thirst, so as to be exhausted in strength, or to come near to perish.

7. (v. i.) To suffer extremity from deprivation of anything essential or necessary.

8. (a.) Smoky; hot; choleric.

FAMISH

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`abh, "hunger" (Isaiah 5:13), "Their honorable men are famished," margin "Hebrew their glory are men of famine"; of razah, "to make lean," "famish" (Ze 2:11), "For he will famish all the gods of the earth"; it is intransitive as the translation of ra`ebh (Proverbs 10:3), "Yahweh will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish."

3983. peinao -- to hunger, be hungry
... From the same as penes (through the idea of pinching toil; "pine"); to famish
(absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave -- be an hungered. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3983.htm - 7k7329. razah -- to be or grow lean
... famish, wax lean. A primitive root; to emaciate, ie Make (become) thin (literally
or figuratively) -- famish, wax lean. 7328, 7329. razah. 7330 . ...
/hebrew/7329.htm - 6k

7456. raeb -- to be hungry
... suffer to famish, be, have, suffer, hunger. A primitive root; to hunger -- (suffer
to) famish, (be, have, suffer, suffer to) hunger(-ry). 7455, 7456. ...
/hebrew/7456.htm - 6k

The Invitation
... Or is not heaven to earth as near. As heretofore? The famish'd raven's hoarser cry.
Finds out Thine ear; My soul is famish'd, and I die. Unless Thou hear. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/lxxviii the invitation.htm

the Nature of this Oversight
... Take heed to yourselves, lest you perish, while you call upon others to take heed
of perishing; and lest you famish yourselves while you prepare food for them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 1 the nature.htm

God's Providence
... distress, and to enable us so to rely upon Providence that we may say, he that feeds
the ravens, and clothes the lilies, will never suffer me to famish nor to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/gods providence.htm

Christian Morals. Part ii.
... are cheaply hungry, and never lose their hunger, or advantage of a craving appetite,
because obvious food contents it; while Nero, [99] half famish'd, could ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part ii.htm

Lii. Trust in God.
... and He will nourish thee." In the books that deal with Wisdom we have (Proverbs
10:3) "The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish." In the ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lii trust in god.htm

Prayer.
... prayer. Without prayer the soul will weaken, famish, and die, the fountain
of love dry up and become as a thirsty and parched desert. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/prayer.htm

Prayer.
... Without prayer, the inner being will weaken, famish, and die; the fountain of love
dry up; the spring of joy cease to flow; the dews will fail to descend; and ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/prayer.htm

Psalm 34:3. 1-10. First Part. CM Prayer and Praise for Eminent ...
... trust! 8 Young lions pinch'd with hunger roar, And famish in the wood;
But God supplies his holy poor With every needful good.]. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 34 3 0 1-10 first part.htm

That a Man is Beloved of God
... To fight, to famish, to die for one's beloved, especially with one's beloved, and
in his excellent company, unless it be for his trouble, is truly delightful. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/91 that a man is.htm

Longing
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First LVIII LONGING. With sick and famish'd eyes,
With doubling knees, and weary bones,. To Thee my cries,. To Thee my groans, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/lviii longing.htm

Famish (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To suffer extremity from deprivation of anything essential or necessary.
8. (a.) Smoky; hot; choleric. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAMISH. ...
/f/famish.htm - 8k

Famished (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Famish. Multi-Version Concordance
Famished (8 Occurrences). Genesis 25:29 Jacob boiled stew. ...
/f/famished.htm - 8k

Famines (3 Occurrences)

/f/famines.htm - 7k

Thrusteth (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Proverbs 10:3 Jehovah will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish;
But he thrusteth away the desire of the wicked. (See JPS ASV YLT). ...
/t/thrusteth.htm - 7k

Terrifying (10 Occurrences)
... Zephaniah 2:11 The LORD will be terrible unto them; for He will famish all the gods
of the earth; then shall all the isles of the nations worship Him, every ...
/t/terrifying.htm - 9k

Repelleth (1 Occurrence)
... Repelleth (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 10:3 Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous
man to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked. (DBY). ...
/r/repelleth.htm - 6k

Destroys (23 Occurrences)
... grievous destruction. (WEB RSV). Zephaniah 2:11 Yahweh will be awesome to
them, for he will famish all the gods of the land. Men will ...
/d/destroys.htm - 12k

Craving (19 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Proverbs 10:3 Jehovah suffereth not the soul of the righteous man
to famish; but he repelleth the craving of the wicked. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/craving.htm - 11k

Shores (5 Occurrences)
... Let the multitude of islands be glad! (See NIV). Zephaniah 2:11 Yahweh will be
awesome to them, for he will famish all the gods of the land. ...
/s/shores.htm - 7k

Famish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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