2 Kings 25:3
2 Kings 25:3 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.
Now on the ninth day of the fourth month, the store of food in the town was almost gone, so that there was no food for the people of the land.
By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so bad that the people had nothing left to eat.
And the ninth day of the moneth the famine was sore in the citie, so that there was no bread for the people of the lande.
on the ninth of the month — when the famine is severe in the city, and there hath not been bread for the people of the land,
On the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.
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.
The ninth day of the month: and a famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
After Zedekiah had been ruling for eleven years, the ◄famine/shortage of food► had become very bad. All their food was gone.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 25:3
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 25:3 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בְּ/תִשְׁעָ֣ה
לַ/חֹ֔דֶשׁ
וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֥ק
הָ/רָעָ֖ב
בָּ/עִ֑יר
וְ/לֹא
הָ֥יָה
לֶ֖חֶם
לְ/עַ֥ם
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
בְּ/תִשְׁעָ֣ה
têshaʻ
H8672
nine
Prep | Adj
לַ/חֹ֔דֶשׁ
chôdesh
H2320
month
Prep | N-ms
וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֥ק
châzaq
H2388
to strengthen
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הָ/רָעָ֖ב
râʻâb
H7458
famine
Art | N-ms
בָּ/עִ֑יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
הָ֥יָה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לֶ֖חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
לְ/עַ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-ms
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 25:3
בְּ/תִשְׁעָ֣ה
têshaʻ
H8672
"nine"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word means the number nine, used for counting or describing quantities. It can also mean ninth when describing order or sequence.
Definition: 1) nine, nonad 1a) nine (as cardinal number) 1b) ninth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: nine ([phrase] -teen, [phrase] -teenth, -th). See also: Genesis 5:5; Judges 4:13; Jeremiah 39:2.
לַ/חֹ֔דֶשׁ
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
וַ/יֶּחֱזַ֥ק
châzaq
H2388
"to strengthen"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with
Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.
הָ/רָעָ֖ב
râʻâb
H7458
"famine"
Art | N-ms
Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.
Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)
Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.
בָּ/עִ֑יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
הָ֥יָה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
לֶ֖חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
לְ/עַ֥ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 25:3
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 25:3 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 25:3
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 25:3
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 25:3
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
- Sermons on 2 Kings 25:3
Context — Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem
1So 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 a siege wall all around it.
2And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year.
3By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food.
4Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, 5but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 52:6 | 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. |
| 2 | Ezekiel 5:12 | A third of your people will die by plague or be consumed by famine within you, a third will fall by the sword outside your walls, and a third I will scatter to every wind and unleash a sword behind them. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 38:2 | “This is what the LORD says: Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever surrenders to the Chaldeans will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war, and he will live. |
| 4 | Lamentations 4:4–10 | The nursing infant’s tongue clings in thirst to the roof of his mouth. Little children beg for bread, but no one gives them any. Those who once ate delicacies are destitute in the streets; those brought up in crimson huddle in ash heaps. The punishment of the daughter of my people is greater than that of Sodom, which was overthrown in an instant without a hand turned to help her. Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires. But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick. 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. |
| 5 | Ezekiel 7:15 | The sword is outside; plague and famine are within. Those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague. |
| 6 | Ezekiel 14:21 | For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘How much worse will it be when I send against Jerusalem My four dire judgments—sword, famine, wild beasts, and plague—in order to cut off from it both man and beast? |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 28:52–53 | They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you. Then you will eat the fruit of your womb, the flesh of the sons and daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and distress that your enemy will inflict on you. |
| 8 | Leviticus 26:26 | When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied. |
| 9 | Zechariah 8:19 | “This is what the LORD of Hosts says: The fasts of the fourth, the fifth, the seventh, and the tenth months will become times of joy and gladness, cheerful feasts for the house of Judah. Therefore you are to love both truth and peace.” |
| 10 | Ezekiel 4:9–17 | But take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet, and spelt; put them in a single container and make them into bread for yourself. This is what you are to eat during the 390 days you lie on your side. You are to weigh out twenty shekels of food to eat each day, and you are to eat it at set times. You are also to measure out a sixth of a hin of water to drink, and you are to drink it at set times. And you shall eat the food as you would a barley cake, after you bake it over dried human excrement in the sight of the people.” Then the LORD said, “This is how the Israelites will eat their defiled bread among the nations to which I will banish them.” “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I have never defiled myself. From my youth until now I have not eaten anything found dead or mauled by wild beasts. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth.” “Look,” He replied, “I will let you use cow dung instead of human excrement, and you may bake your bread over that.” Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity. |
2 Kings 25:3 Summary
The verse 2 Kings 25:3 describes a very difficult time for the people of Jerusalem. They were surrounded by an enemy army and had run out of food, which is a basic necessity for life. This situation can remind us of the importance of taking care of our spiritual needs, just like we take care of our physical needs, as Jesus taught in Matthew 4:4. Just as the people in Jerusalem needed food to survive, we need spiritual nourishment to thrive, which comes from reading the Bible, praying, and being part of a community of believers, as seen in Acts 2:42.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the condition of Jerusalem during the siege by Nebuchadnezzar's army?
The city was under severe famine, as stated in 2 Kings 25:3, with the people having no food by the ninth day of the fourth month, similar to the conditions described in Deuteronomy 28:53 during times of disobedience.
How long did the siege of Jerusalem last?
The siege lasted from the tenth day of the tenth month in Zedekiah's ninth year until the city was breached, as mentioned in 2 Kings 25:1-4, a period that included the severe famine described in 2 Kings 25:3.
What was the outcome of the siege for King Zedekiah and his army?
King Zedekiah and his men of war fled the city but were pursued and captured by the Chaldeans, as described in 2 Kings 25:4-5, leading to the eventual fall of Jerusalem and the kingdom of Judah, a consequence also foretold in Jeremiah 32:3-5.
Is there a spiritual lesson in the physical famine described in this verse?
Yes, just as physical famine can result from disobedience to God's laws, spiritual famine can occur when we neglect our spiritual nourishment, as warned in Amos 8:11, emphasizing the importance of seeking spiritual food through prayer, scripture, and fellowship, as encouraged in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4.
Reflection Questions
- How can I apply the lesson of physical and spiritual famine in my own life, ensuring I am nourished both bodily and spiritually?
- What are some ways I can prioritize my spiritual well-being, just as one would prioritize finding physical food during a time of famine?
- In what ways can a community come together to support one another during times of hardship, whether physical or spiritual, as seen in the early Christian church in Acts 2:44-47?
- How does understanding the historical context of 2 Kings 25:3 help me appreciate the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-14?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 25:3
[See comments on 2 Kings 25:1]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 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. On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
The fourth month; which word is easily understood, by comparing this and the first verse, and 52:6, where it is expressed. For the people of the land, i.e. for the common sort of people, who flocked thither from all parts, upon the approach of the Babylonian army; but only for the great men and soldiers. See of the grievousness of this famine, ,12.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
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.Ver. 3. The famine prevailed in the city.] Insomuch as that the fathers did eat their sons, and the sons their fathers. The pestilence also prevailed at the same time.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
(3) And on the ninth day of the fourth month.—The text is supplemented from Jeremiah 39:2; Jeremiah 52:6. The Syriac, however, has, “And in the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, in the fifth month, on the ninth day of the month, the famine prevailed,” &c.; which may be original. (Comp. 2 Kings 25:1.) The famine prevailed.—Not that the scarcity was first felt on that day, but that it then had reached a climax, so that defence was no longer possible. The horrors of the siege are referred to in Lamentations 2:11 seq., Lamentations 2:19 seq., Lamentations 4:3-10; Ezekiel 5:10; Bar 2:3. As in the famine of Samaria and the last siege of Jerusalem, parents ate their own offspring. (Comp. the prophetic threats of Lev 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53 seq.; Jeremiah 15:2 seq., Jeremiah 27:13; Ezekiel 4:16 seq.) The people of the land.—The population of the city, especially the families which had crowded into it from the country. Thenius, as usual, insists that the militia are meant. But these are the “men of war” (2 Kings 25:4).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
Verse 3. 2Kg 25:2.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 25:3
3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month] The words in italic omitted here by the scribe, can be filled up from Jeremiah 39:2; Jeremiah 52:6. the famine prevailed] R.V. was sore. The verb is that which is found used of famine in Genesis 41:56-57, though we have a different word for a sore famine in Genesis 43:1. The rendering of R.V. is from A.V. in Jeremiah 39:6.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:3
3. The fourth month — The word fourth has here been properly supplied by our translators from the parallel in Jeremiah 52:6. It must have anciently fallen out of this text by the oversight of a copyist.
Sermons on 2 Kings 25:3
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Removing the Stumbling Blocks by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of removing stumbling blocks from our hearts and from the church. He warns that if we do not heed God's call to be honest and |
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From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Zechariah) ch.1 & 2 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Zechariah and highlights the importance of understanding God's sovereignty and His commitment to building His church. The preach |