Gauntness, characterized by extreme thinness and emaciation, is a condition often associated with famine, suffering, and divine judgment in the biblical narrative. The Bible frequently uses imagery of gauntness to convey the physical and spiritual desolation that can result from sin, disobedience, or the trials permitted by God.

In the Old Testament, gauntness is often depicted as a consequence of famine, which is sometimes portrayed as a direct result of the people's disobedience to God. In the book of Genesis, during the seven years of famine in Egypt, the severity of the situation is highlighted by the physical toll it takes on the people. Although the term "gauntness" is not explicitly used, the imagery of hunger and lack is evident. Joseph's brothers, for instance, travel to Egypt to buy grain, indicating the dire circumstances they faced (Genesis 42:1-3).

The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of gauntness to describe the judgment that will come upon the nations. In Isaiah 17:4 , it is written, "In that day the glory of Jacob will fade; the fat of his body will waste away." This verse metaphorically describes the wasting away of Israel's strength and prosperity due to their unfaithfulness to God. The physical imagery of gauntness serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual decline and the consequences of turning away from the Lord.

In the book of Lamentations, the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction is vividly portrayed. The people are described as suffering from extreme hunger, leading to a state of gauntness. Lamentations 4:8-9 states, "Now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce." This passage highlights the severe physical and emotional toll of the siege and subsequent famine, emphasizing the depth of the people's suffering.

In the New Testament, while the term "gauntness" is not directly mentioned, the concept can be seen in the parables and teachings of Jesus. For example, in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the younger son experiences a form of gauntness when he squanders his inheritance and finds himself in a severe famine. His physical hunger and destitution lead him to a moment of repentance and return to his father, symbolizing the spiritual restoration available through repentance and reconciliation with God.

Gauntness, therefore, serves as a multifaceted symbol in the biblical text. It represents not only the physical consequences of famine and hardship but also the spiritual desolation that can result from sin and separation from God. Through the imagery of gauntness, the Bible communicates the seriousness of disobedience and the hope of restoration through repentance and faith.

Preface to the Anti-Manich??an Writings.
... There can be little doubt that many of the Manich??ans practiced the ascetic virtues,
and were recognizable by the gauntness and pallor of their looks, so that ...
/.../preface to the anti-manichaean writings.htm

Gauntness (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gauntness (1 Occurrence). Job 16:8 You have shriveled
me up. This is a witness against me. My leanness rises up against me. ...
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Gaunt (7 Occurrences)

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Gauze (2 Occurrences)

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