In times of severe famine, the desperation for sustenance often led people to consume foods that would otherwise be considered unclean or undesirable according to the dietary laws outlined in the Scriptures. One such instance is the consumption of donkey's flesh, which is recorded in the Bible during a particularly dire period in the history of Israel.

The account of eating donkey's flesh is found in 2 Kings 6:24-25. During the siege of Samaria by the Arameans, the city experienced an extreme famine. The scarcity of food became so severe that the people resorted to eating what was available, regardless of its usual acceptability. The Berean Standard Bible describes the situation as follows: "Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria. So there was a great famine in Samaria, and they besieged it until a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver" (2 Kings 6:24-25).

The mention of a donkey's head being sold for an exorbitant price highlights the extreme conditions faced by the inhabitants of Samaria. Under normal circumstances, donkey's flesh was not considered a part of the regular diet for the Israelites. According to Levitical law, donkeys were classified as unclean animals (Leviticus 11:2-8), and their consumption was prohibited. However, the dire circumstances of the siege forced the people to abandon these dietary restrictions in order to survive.

This episode serves as a stark reminder of the severity of famine and the lengths to which people will go to sustain life when faced with starvation. The consumption of donkey's flesh during the siege of Samaria illustrates the desperation and the breakdown of societal norms that can occur in such extreme situations. It also underscores the broader biblical theme of reliance on God during times of crisis, as the narrative continues with the miraculous deliverance of Samaria through divine intervention (2 Kings 7:6-7).

The account of eating donkey's flesh during the famine in Samaria is a poignant example of the physical and spiritual challenges faced by the people of Israel. It reflects the harsh realities of life in the ancient world and the profound impact of famine on human behavior and faith.2 Kings 6:25
And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five pieces of silver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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