Topical Encyclopedia
The term "hungered" in the Bible often refers to the physical sensation of hunger, a basic human need for sustenance, but it also carries deeper spiritual and symbolic meanings throughout Scripture. Hunger is frequently used to illustrate spiritual truths and the human condition in relation to God.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, hunger is often depicted in the context of God's provision and testing. For instance, during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness, God allowed them to experience hunger to test their faith and reliance on Him. In
Deuteronomy 8:3, it is written, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD."
The account of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a meal (
Genesis 25:29-34) also highlights the impulsive nature of satisfying physical hunger at the expense of spiritual blessings. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about prioritizing immediate physical needs over long-term spiritual inheritance.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus' experience of hunger is significant, particularly during His 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.
Matthew 4:2 states, "After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry." This period of fasting and subsequent hunger was a time of testing and preparation for Jesus' ministry, emphasizing His reliance on God rather than physical sustenance.
Jesus also used the concept of hunger to teach spiritual truths. In the Beatitudes, He declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (
Matthew 5:6). Here, hunger is a metaphor for a deep, spiritual longing for God's righteousness, promising fulfillment for those who earnestly seek it.
Furthermore, in
John 6:35, Jesus proclaims, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." This statement underscores the idea that spiritual hunger can only be truly satisfied through a relationship with Christ, who provides eternal sustenance.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of hunger in the Bible extends beyond physical need, symbolizing a deeper spiritual yearning for God and His righteousness. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for both physical and spiritual nourishment. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek fulfillment in God, who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.
Throughout the Bible, hunger is a recurring theme that illustrates the importance of trusting in God's provision and prioritizing spiritual over physical needs. It challenges believers to examine their own desires and to seek a deeper relationship with God, who promises to meet all needs according to His riches in glory.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Hunger.
2. (a.) Hungry; pinched for food.
Greek
3983. peinao -- to hunger, be hungry... From the same as penes (through the idea of pinching toil; "pine"); to famish
(absolutely or comparatively); figuratively, to crave -- be an
hungered.
...Library
For I was anHungered, and Ye Gave Me no Meat...
... Piece XLVI. For I was anhungered, and ye gave me no meat? For I was an
hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye...
Section 6, 7. When the Word and SonHungered, Wept, and was...
... Section 6, 7. When the Word and Sonhungered, wept, and was wearied, He acted as
our Mediator, taking on Him what was ours, that He might impart to us what was...
Matt. Iv. 1
... Having then fasted forty days and as many nights,. "He was afterwards anhungered;
[538] " affording him a point to lay hold of and approach, that by actual...
The Temptation in the Wilderness.
... be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights,
he was afterward anhungered. And when the tempter...
To Daniella of Orvieto Clothed with the Habit of St. Dominic
... It is true that in this life one begins to enjoy the pledge, in this way, that the
soul begins to be an-hungered for the food of the honour of God and the...
An Evening on the Mount of Olives.
... "For I was anhungered, and ye gave me meat; I... Then the good whom He had called were
astonished, and cried, "Lord, when saw we thee anhungered and fed thee?...
The Barren Fig-Tree
... "And on the morrow, when they were come out from Bethany, Hehungered.... Jesushungered
at the very outset of a day of toil, as He came out from Bethany....
The Sabbath
... And He said unto them, Did ye never read what David did, when he had need,
and was anhungered, he, and they that were with him?...
Matt. xxi. 12, 13
... sayings. "Now in the morning as He returned into the city, He was anhungered."
[2522] How is He anhungered in the morning? When...
Matt. xii. 1
... "At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and His disciples
were ahungered, and began to pluck the [1645] ears of corn, and to eat."....
Thesaurus
Thirsted (6 Occurrences)... Thirsted (6 Occurrences). Matthew 25:35 for I
hungered, and ye gave me to eat; I
thirsted, and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; (DBY).
...Hungered (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceHungered (8 Occurrences). Matthew 4:2 And when he had
fasted forty days and forty nights, he afterwardhungered. (ASV DBY)....
Hunger (52 Occurrences)
... On two occasions it is said of our Lord that Hehungered (Matthew 21:18 Luke 4:2);
9 times the old English expression "an hungred" is used, the "an" being a...
Finished (157 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:2 forty days, tempted of the devil; and in those days he did not eat
anything, and when they were finished hehungered. (DBY)....
Ended (146 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing:
and when they were ended, he afterwardhungered. (KJV WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Afterwards (143 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Afterwards (143 Occurrences). Matthew 4:2 and having fasted
forty days and forty nights, afterwards hehungered. (DBY YLT)....
Anything (462 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Luke 4:2 forty days, tempted of the devil; and in those days he did not eat
anything, and when they were finished hehungered. (DBY YLT)....
Eat (690 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing:
and when they were ended, he afterwardhungered. (KJV ASV DBY YLT)....
Hungred (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.)Hungered; hungry. Multi-Version Concordance
Hungred (9 Occurrences). Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted...
Hungereth (2 Occurrences)
Resources
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