The term "hungerbitten" is an archaic English word that appears in the King James Version of the Bible, specifically in Isaiah 8:21. In the context of Scripture, it describes a state of being afflicted by hunger or suffering from severe lack of food. The Berean Standard Bible translates this concept with more contemporary language, emphasizing the dire circumstances faced by those who are deprived of sustenance.

Biblical Context:

In Isaiah 8:21, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a time of distress and judgment upon the people of Israel. The verse in the BSB reads: "They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God." This passage highlights the physical and spiritual consequences of turning away from God, resulting in a state of desperation and rebellion.

The imagery of being "hungerbitten" serves as a metaphor for spiritual famine as well as physical deprivation. Throughout the Bible, hunger is often used to symbolize a deeper spiritual need or a lack of divine blessing. In Deuteronomy 8:3, for example, God reminds the Israelites that He allowed them to hunger in the wilderness to teach them that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the condition of being hungerbitten underscores the consequences of disobedience and the importance of reliance on God for both physical and spiritual sustenance. The Bible consistently teaches that God is the ultimate provider, as seen in passages like Psalm 37:25, where David declares, "I have been young and now am old, yet never have I seen the righteous abandoned or their children begging for bread."

The state of being hungerbitten also serves as a call to repentance and a return to faithfulness. In the prophetic literature, physical hunger often parallels spiritual waywardness, urging the people to seek God earnestly. Joel 2:12-13 calls for such a return: "Even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Rend your hearts and not your garments."

Practical Implications:

For believers, the concept of being hungerbitten is a reminder of the importance of spiritual nourishment through Scripture, prayer, and community. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, addresses the blessedness of those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6), promising that they will be filled. This beatitude encourages Christians to pursue a deep and abiding relationship with God, seeking His kingdom and righteousness above all else.

Furthermore, the Bible calls on the faithful to respond to physical hunger with compassion and generosity. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." The New Testament echoes this sentiment, as seen in James 2:15-16, which challenges believers to demonstrate their faith through tangible acts of love and provision for those in need.

In summary, the term "hungerbitten" in its biblical usage serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of spiritual and physical neglect, while also pointing to the hope and restoration found in turning back to God.Hungerbitten (1 Occurrence)

Job 18:12
His strength shall be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side.
(KJV)

Hungerbitten (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Hungerbitten (1 Occurrence). Job 18:12 His strength shall
be hungerbitten, and destruction shall be ready at his side. (KJV). ...
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Hunger-bitten (1 Occurrence)
Hunger-bitten. Hungerbitten, Hunger-bitten. Hungered . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(ASV DBY WBS RSV). Hungerbitten, Hunger-bitten. Hungered . Reference Bible
/h/hunger-bitten.htm - 6k

Hunger (52 Occurrences)

/h/hunger.htm - 25k

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