The concept of starvation, while not frequently mentioned explicitly in the Bible, is closely associated with themes of famine, hunger, and divine judgment or testing. In the biblical narrative, starvation often serves as a backdrop for God's provision, human dependence on divine sustenance, and the moral and spiritual lessons that arise from such dire circumstances.

Famine and Divine Judgment

Starvation is often a consequence of famine, which is depicted in the Bible as a tool of divine judgment or a test of faith. In Genesis 41, Pharaoh's dreams, interpreted by Joseph, foretell seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine in Egypt. This event leads to widespread starvation, but also to Joseph's rise to power and the preservation of his family. Genesis 41:30 states, "But seven years of famine will deplete the land."

The Book of Lamentations reflects on the severe famine during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, where starvation is portrayed as a direct result of the people's disobedience to God. Lamentations 4:9-10 poignantly describes the desperation: "Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields produce no food."

Provision and Dependence on God

Despite the grim reality of starvation, the Bible frequently highlights God's provision for His people. In the wilderness, the Israelites faced starvation, but God provided manna from heaven to sustain them (Exodus 16). This miraculous provision underscored their dependence on God and His faithfulness to meet their needs.

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses the issue of physical and spiritual hunger. In the Sermon on the Mount, He teaches His followers to trust in God's provision, saying, "Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’" (Matthew 6:31). This passage emphasizes reliance on God rather than anxiety over material needs.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons

Starvation in the Bible often serves as a catalyst for moral and spiritual lessons. The account of the prodigal son in Luke 15 illustrates how physical hunger can lead to spiritual awakening and repentance. After squandering his inheritance, the prodigal son experiences severe hunger, which prompts him to return to his father, seeking forgiveness and restoration.

Furthermore, the Bible calls believers to respond to the needs of the hungry. In Isaiah 58:7 , God commands, "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the homeless poor into your home, when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh and blood?" This directive underscores the importance of compassion and generosity as expressions of faith.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not frequently use the term "starve," the themes of hunger and famine are woven throughout its narrative, serving as both a literal and metaphorical representation of human need and divine provision. Through these accounts, believers are reminded of their dependence on God, the importance of faithfulness, and the call to care for those in need.1. (v. i.) To die; to perish.

2. (v. i.) To perish with hunger; to suffer extreme hunger or want; to be very indigent.

3. (v. i.) To perish or die with cold.

4. (v. t.) To destroy with cold.

5. (v. t.) To kill with hunger; as, maliciously to starve a man is, in law, murder.

6. (v. t.) To distress or subdue by famine; as, to starve a garrison into a surrender.

7. (v. t.) To destroy by want of any kind; as, to starve plans by depriving them of proper light and air.

8. (v. t.) To deprive of force or vigor; to disable.

7329. razah -- to be or grow lean
... Definition: lean. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be or grow lean NASB
Word Usage become lean (1), starve (1). famish, wax lean. A ...
/hebrew/7329.htm - 6k

1856. daqar -- to pierce, pierce through
... pierce, strike through, wound. A primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve;
figuratively, to revile -- pierce, strike (thrust) through, wound. ...
/hebrew/1856.htm - 6k

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... all his goods from Thomas Arthur, he appealed to the humane feelings of the magistrate
on behalf of his children,""Sir, shall my children starve," to which ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Diamond and his Mother Sat Down Upon the Edge of the Rough Grass ...
... We've not got anything to do.". "Then let's wait.". "Then we shall starve.". "No. ...
"But we can't eat auntie's things all up and leave her to starve.". "No, no. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 13 diamond and his.htm

The Story of Joseph
... evil plan. Instead of leaving Joseph to starve in the pit, they would fetch
him out and sell him to these merchants. Most likely ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Number one Thousand; Or, "Bread Enough and to Spare"
... lost. If thou starve, thou starvest because thou wilt starve; for in the
Father's house there is "bread enough and to spare.". But ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/number one thousand or bread.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... of an ocean of soft, pure water, famishing with thirst; you are welcome to drink,
and you need not fear lest you exhaust that ocean, or starve anybody else by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

Blessed Martyrs Designate, -- Along with the Provision which Our ...
... in the prison, accept also from me some contribution to your spiritual sustenance;
for it is not good that the flesh be feasted and the spirit starve: nay, if ...
/.../tertullian/ad martyras/chapter i blessed martyrs designate.htm

The Fellowship of Prayer
... Persons praying spasmodically are like men that gorge themselves with food and drink
on special occasions and starve themselves between the feasts. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 1 the fellowship of.htm

Sixth Commandment
... You could buy a man for a musket, or if you paid money, for seven dollars, and after
you had bought him you could feed him, starve him, work him, whip him, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/sixth commandment.htm

The Eighth Commandment
... but seldom or never preaches to the people. He gets the golden fleece, but
lets the flock starve. Woe be to the shepherds of Israel ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm

The Awakened Sinner Urged to Immediate Consideration and Cautioned ...
... return to God should in all reason be chosen, rather than to play the fool any longer,
and go on a little more to displease God, and thereby starve and wound ...
/.../chapter iii the awakened sinner.htm

Starve (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To destroy with cold. 5. (vt) To kill with hunger; as, maliciously to starve
a man is, in law, murder. ... Multi-Version Concordance Starve (3 Occurrences). ...
/s/starve.htm - 8k

Famish (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To starve, kill, or destroy with hunger. ... 4. (vt)
To force or constrain by famine. 5. (vi) To die of hunger; to starve. ...
/f/famish.htm - 8k

Starving (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Starve. Multi-Version
Concordance Starving (5 Occurrences). Luke 15:17 But when he ...
/s/starving.htm - 8k

Pinch (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To plait. 4. (vt) Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress;
to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money. ...
/p/pinch.htm - 8k

Starvation (1 Occurrence)

/s/starvation.htm - 6k

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