Famine

The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt.1 Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar.2 But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years.3

Famines were sent as an effect of God's anger against a guilty people.4 A famine was predicted by Agabus.5 Josephus makes mention of the famine which occurred 45 CE. Helena, queen of Adiabene, being at Jerusalem at that time, procured corn from Alexandria and figs from Cyprus for its poor inhabitants.

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References

Notes

  1. Gen. 26:1.
  2. Gen. 26:1, 17.
  3. Gen. 41-45.
  4. 2 Kings 8:1, 2; Amos 8:11; Deut. 28:22-42; 2 Sam. 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25-28; 25:3; Jer. 14:15; 19:9; 42:17, etc..
  5. Acts 11:28.

Source

  • Easton, M.G. (1897). Easton's Bible Dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.

This article incorporates text from Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897) by M.G. Easton, which is in the public domain.