Hunger

Hunger (רָעָה, raah'; πεινάω) AND THIRST are the symbols of affliction. Thus in De 8:3, "He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger," where the latter is the instrument of the former. So De 32:24, "They shall be burnt with hunger;" i.e. they shall be tormented or afflicted. So tofaist is often called to afflict one's soul, as in Le 16:29-31; Isa 58:5. In Aristophanes (Aves) hunger is proverbially used for great misery. See 1Co 4:11; 2Co 11:27; Php 4:12. In our Lord's Sermon on the Mount, to hunger and thirst signifies to long for and relish the Gospel (Mt 5:6; Lu 6:21), but elsewhere to be in want of hearing God's word; that is, to be hindered by persecution from worshipping God in peace (Psalm 23; Ecclesiastes 24:19; Joh 4:13,1.; 6:35; Am 8:11; Eze 7:26). SEE FAMINE.

⇒Bible concordance for HUNGER.

⇒Definition of hunger

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.