In the biblical context, famine is often depicted as a severe trial or judgment from God, affecting the land and its people. One of the physical manifestations of famine described in the Scriptures is the blackness of the skin, a condition resulting from extreme malnutrition and deprivation.

The prophet Jeremiah provides a vivid description of this phenomenon in the Book of Lamentations. Lamentations 4:8 states, "But now they appear blacker than soot; they go unrecognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick." This passage highlights the drastic physical changes that occur during a famine, where the lack of food and nutrients leads to a darkening and shriveling of the skin, making individuals unrecognizable.

The blackness of the skin during famine is not merely a physical ailment but also serves as a symbol of the deep suffering and desolation experienced by the people. It reflects the dire circumstances and the severity of the judgment that has befallen them. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where appearance and health were closely linked to one's social and spiritual status, such a transformation would have been both a personal and communal tragedy.

The Bible often portrays famine as a consequence of the people's disobedience and turning away from God. In Deuteronomy 28, the Lord warns the Israelites of the curses that will follow if they fail to obey His commandments, including famine and its devastating effects. Deuteronomy 28:23-24 states, "The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed."

In this context, the blackness of the skin serves as a visible reminder of the spiritual and physical desolation that accompanies a departure from God's ways. It underscores the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's covenant as a means of ensuring His blessings and provision.

Throughout the Bible, famine is also depicted as an opportunity for repentance and a return to God. The physical manifestations, such as the blackness of the skin, serve as a call to the people to seek God's mercy and restoration. In 2 Chronicles 7:13-14 , the Lord says, "If I shut the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

Thus, while the blackness of the skin during famine is a sign of suffering, it also points to the hope of redemption and the possibility of divine intervention when the people turn back to God.Lamentations 4:8
Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin sticks to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Lamentations 5:10
Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
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