Topical Bible: Famine: Instances of, in Scripture: During the Siege of Jerusalem

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The Bible records several instances of famine, often as a consequence of divine judgment or as a result of warfare. One of the most harrowing accounts of famine occurs during the siege of Jerusalem, a pivotal event in biblical history that underscores the severity of God's judgment upon His people due to their disobedience and idolatry.

Siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar (586 BC)

The siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar is one of the most significant events leading to famine in the biblical narrative. This event is detailed in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah. The siege began in the ninth year of King Zedekiah's reign and lasted until the eleventh year, culminating in the fall of Jerusalem.

In 2 Kings 25:1-3 , the Scripture states: "So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food."

The famine was a direct result of the prolonged siege, which cut off all supplies and resources from entering the city. The inhabitants of Jerusalem were trapped, leading to extreme scarcity of food. The prophet Jeremiah, who witnessed these events, provides a vivid description of the suffering in Lamentations 4:9-10 : "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. The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people."

This passage highlights the desperation and horror experienced by the people of Jerusalem, as the famine drove them to unimaginable acts. The siege and resulting famine were seen as a fulfillment of the warnings given by the prophets, who had long called the people to repentance.

Siege of Jerusalem by the Romans (AD 70)

Another significant instance of famine during a siege of Jerusalem occurred in AD 70, when the Roman army, led by General Titus, besieged the city. This event is not directly recorded in the Bible but is prophesied by Jesus in the Gospels. In Luke 21:20-22 , Jesus warns: "But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written."

The historian Josephus provides a detailed account of the siege, describing the severe famine that ensued. The Roman siege led to a catastrophic shortage of food, resulting in widespread starvation and suffering among the inhabitants. The famine was so severe that it mirrored the earlier Babylonian siege, with reports of people resorting to cannibalism.

These instances of famine during the sieges of Jerusalem serve as sobering reminders of the consequences of turning away from God and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings. They illustrate the dire conditions that can arise from prolonged conflict and divine judgment, as well as the resilience and suffering of those who endure such trials.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 25:3
And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ...
... that when, in the straits of famine during the siege ... Jewish tradition gives other
instances of precocious and ... of the Messianic bearing of all Scripture to its ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x in the house.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... In these instances the fulfilment follows soon after the event is ... on earth a time
of war, famine, death, and ... by God is commonly spoken of in Scripture in this ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

Questions.
... What was Simon's work with regard to the Holy Scripture? 15. ... 22. How had the dreadful
famine been foretold?"Luke, xix.43. ... 5. What were the instances of St. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

New Testament History and Prophecy.
... Scripture, we must understand the language of Scripture, and this ... of the
Empire,"these are only instances of a ... a black horse, whose rider is Famine, a pale ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter x new testament history.htm

Works and Letters of St. Ambrose
... It is proved by the witness of Scripture that all ... never be expelled the city in a
time of famine.? ... Ambrose shows by instances that the places in which those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/

Letter Liii. To Paulinus.
... holy eunuch (or rather "man" for so the scripture calls him ... 6. These instances have
been just touched upon by me ... a famine upon the earth "not a famine of bread ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter liii to paulinus.htm

The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ...
... These two debtors are only mentioned as instances, and so ... their door to the dogs
and to famine, not bestowing ... left to the dogs, which in Scripture are always ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the unjust steward.htm

Prolegomena.
... we consider now the well-known instances of resistance ... property and stores of corn,
famine was feared ... his usual way of interpreting Holy Scripture allegorically ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/prolegomena.htm