Everyday words in Bible stories
Famine — Meaning in the Bible
A long time when there is not enough food, often because rain has failed or crops have been destroyed.
Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition
What it means
Famines move many Bible stories: Abram went down to Egypt, Joseph stored grain for seven years of famine, and Naomi's family went to Moab. Genesis 12:10Genesis 41:29–30Ruth 1:1
In Elijah's day there was no rain for a long time, and "the famine was severe in Samaria". 1 Kings 17:11 Kings 18:2
Key passages
- Genesis 41:53–57 — Famine in all lands
- Ruth 1:1 — A famine in Bethlehem
- Amos 8:11 — A famine of hearing God's word
- Acts 11:27–30 — Believers send help in a famine
For children
A famine is a time when there is not enough food. When famine came, God used Joseph to save food for many people. Genesis 41:29–30