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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 105:16 He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/105-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/19_Psa_105_016.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 105:16 - Tell of His Wonders" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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He destroyed all the provision of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/105.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/105.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/105.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/105.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And He called for a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/105.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And He called for a famine upon the land [of Egypt]; He cut off every source of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/105.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He called down famine against the land and destroyed the entire food supply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/105.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He called down famine against the land and destroyed the entire food supply. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/105.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he called for a famine upon the land; He brake the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/105.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />God kept crops from growing until food was scarce everywhere in the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/105.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he called for a famine upon the land; he brake the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/105.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He brought famine to the land. He took away their food supply.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/105.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD sent famine to their country and took away all their food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/105.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He declared a famine on the land; destroying the entire food supply. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/105.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/105.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He called down a famine upon the earth; he cut off all the food supply. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/105.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/105.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he broke the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/105.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/105.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And He calls a famine on the land, "" He has broken the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/105.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And He calleth a famine on the land, The whole staff of bread He hath broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/105.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will call a famine upon the land: he broke all the support of bread.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/105.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And he called a famine upon the land: and he broke in pieces all the support of bread. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/105.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 104:16>And he called a famine upon the land, and he crushed every foundation of the bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/105.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then he called down a famine on the land, destroyed the grain that sustained them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/105.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When he summoned famine against the land, and broke every staff of bread,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/105.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Moreover he called for a famine upon the land; he broke the whole stalk of their wheat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/105.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he called a famine upon the land and he broke all the stalks of their grain.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/105.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And He called a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/105.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Moreover he called for a famine upon the land; he broke the whole support of bread.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/105-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=13134" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/105.htm">Tell of His Wonders</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>“Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!” <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">He called down</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: rā·‘āḇ (N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/7665.htm" title="7665: šā·ḇār (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To break, break in pieces. A primitive root; to burst.">and cut off</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4294.htm" title="4294: maṭ·ṭêh- (N-msc) -- Or mattah; from natah; a branch; figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising, ruling, throwing, or walking.">their supplies</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">of food.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-54.htm">Genesis 41:54-57</a></span><br />the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. / When extreme hunger came to all the land of Egypt and the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, he told all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph and do whatever he tells you.” / When the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened up all the storehouses and sold grain to the Egyptians; for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Genesis 42:5-6</a></span><br />So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan. / Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/45-5.htm">Genesis 45:5-11</a></span><br />And now, do not be distressed or angry with yourselves that you sold me into this place, because it was to save lives that God sent me before you. / For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. / God sent me before you to preserve you as a remnant on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Genesis 47:13-15</a></span><br />There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. / Joseph collected all the money to be found in the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan in exchange for the grain they were buying, and he brought it into Pharaoh’s palace. / When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all the Egyptians came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? For our funds have run out!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-11.htm">Acts 7:11-13</a></span><br />Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. / When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. / On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-20.htm">Genesis 50:20</a></span><br />As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a></span><br />Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1-2</a></span><br />Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed that a seven-year famine will come to the land.” / So the woman had proceeded to do as the man of God had instructed. And she and her household lived as foreigners for seven years in the land of the Philistines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/11-28.htm">Acts 11:28-30</a></span><br />One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted through the Spirit that a great famine would sweep across the whole world. (This happened under Claudius.) / So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. / This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/41-30.htm">Genesis 41:30-31</a></span><br />but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in the land of Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will devastate the land. / The abundance in the land will not be remembered, since the famine that follows it will be so severe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Genesis 12:10</a></span><br />Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while because the famine was severe.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/1-1.htm">Ruth 1:1</a></span><br />In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. And a certain man from Bethlehem in Judah, with his wife and two sons, went to reside in the land of Moab.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1-7</a></span><br />Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was among the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” / Then a revelation from the LORD came to Elijah: / “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Brook of Cherith, east of the Jordan. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-1.htm">2 Samuel 21:1</a></span><br />During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Moreover he called for a famine on the land: he broke the whole staff of bread.</p><p class="hdg">moreover</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Genesis 41:25-32,34</a></b></br> And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh <i>is</i> one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he <i>is</i> about to do… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Genesis 42:5,6</a></b></br> And the sons of Israel came to buy <i>corn</i> among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">2 Kings 8:1</a></b></br> Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.</p><p class="hdg">brake</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Psalm 104:15</a></b></br> And wine <i>that</i> maketh glad the heart of man, <i>and</i> oil to make <i>his</i> face to shine, and bread <i>which</i> strengtheneth man's heart.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/47-13.htm">Genesis 47:13,19</a></b></br> And <i>there was</i> no bread in all the land; for the famine <i>was</i> very sore, so that the land of Egypt and <i>all</i> the land of Canaan fainted by reason of the famine… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26</a></b></br> <i>And</i> when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver <i>you</i> your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/76-3.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/psalms/104-15.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/102-23.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/psalms/102-23.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/92-7.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/psalms/37-19.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/psalms/104-27.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/78-67.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/psalms/23-4.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/psalms/50-1.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/17-13.htm">Supplies</a> <a href="/psalms/97-5.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/105-33.htm">Brake</a> <a href="/psalms/105-40.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/psalms/105-33.htm">Broke</a> <a href="/psalms/107-14.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-13.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/psalms/105-35.htm">Food</a> <a href="/psalms/106-24.htm">Moreover</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-1.htm">Staff</a> <a href="/isaiah/13-3.htm">Summoned</a> <a href="/psalms/147-8.htm">Supplies</a> <a href="/psalms/110-6.htm">Whole</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 105</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/105-1.htm">An exhortation to praise God, and to seek out his works</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/105-7.htm">The story of God's providence over Abraham</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Over Joseph</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/105-23.htm">Over Jacob in Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/105-26.htm">Over Moses delivering the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/105-37.htm">Over the Israelites brought out of Egypt, fed in the desert, and planted in Canaan.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/105.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/105.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>He called down famine on the land</b><br>This phrase indicates divine intervention, suggesting that God actively orchestrated the famine. In biblical history, famines were often seen as acts of God, used to fulfill His purposes or as a form of judgment. The land referred to here is likely Canaan, where the patriarchs resided. Famines in the ancient Near East were not uncommon due to the region's dependency on seasonal rains. This particular famine set the stage for Joseph's rise to power in Egypt, as described in <a href="/genesis/41.htm">Genesis 41</a>. Theologically, this demonstrates God's sovereignty over nature and His ability to use natural events to guide His people.<p><b>and cut off all their supplies of food.</b><br>The cutting off of food supplies emphasizes the severity of the famine. In ancient agrarian societies, food scarcity would lead to economic and social upheaval. This phrase underscores the totality of the famine's impact, leaving the inhabitants with no means of sustenance. Historically, such famines would force migrations, as seen when Jacob's family moved to Egypt for survival (Genesis 46). This event foreshadows the Israelites' eventual enslavement and subsequent Exodus, a pivotal moment in biblical history. Theologically, it highlights God's provision and deliverance, as He later uses Joseph to provide for His people, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate provider and savior.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign orchestrator of events, including the famine, demonstrating His control over nature and history.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>A severe shortage of food that God used as a tool to fulfill His divine purposes.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/l/land_of_canaan.htm">Land of Canaan</a></b><br>The region affected by the famine, significant as the land promised to Abraham and his descendants.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>Though not mentioned in this specific verse, he is a key figure in the account of the famine, as God used him to preserve life.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The place where Joseph rose to power and where the Israelites eventually found refuge during the famine.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of all circumstances, including natural events like famine. This should lead us to trust in His plans and purposes, even when they are not immediately clear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_purpose_in_trials.htm">Divine Purpose in Trials</a></b><br>Understand that God can use difficult situations, such as famine, to accomplish His greater purposes. This encourages us to seek His will and remain faithful during challenging times.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/provision_and_preparation.htm">Provision and Preparation</a></b><br>Learn from Joseph's example of preparation and stewardship. We should be wise and discerning in managing resources, trusting God to provide for our needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_god's_timing.htm">Faith in God's Timing</a></b><br>Acknowledge that God's timing is perfect. The famine was part of His plan to bring Jacob's family to Egypt, setting the stage for future deliverance. We should be patient and wait on God's timing in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a></b><br>Reflect on the importance of community and support during times of crisis. Just as Joseph's actions provided for many, we are called to support and care for others in need.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_105.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 105</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_makes_a_virtuous_woman_a_crown.htm">What happens when wells run dry?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_believers_suffer_despite_psalm_23_2.htm">Psalm 23:2 - If God leads believers to 'green pastures,' why does widespread suffering and famine persist among the faithful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_chr_16_7-36_echo_ps_105,_96.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 reuse lines from Psalm 105 and Psalm 96 if David was the original composer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_'pleasant_places'_be_taken_literally.htm">(Psalm 16:5-6) In light of historical changes in territory and borders, how can the 'pleasant places' and 'heritage' still be taken literally or reliably?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/105.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Called for a famine.</span>--Comp. <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm" title="Then spoke Elisha to the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go you and your household, and sojourn wherever you can sojourn: for the LORD has called for a famine; and it shall also come on the land seven years.">2Kings 8:1</a>; and in Ezekiel 14 we see how famine, with war and pestilence and noisome beasts, were regarded as Divine emissaries to be summoned and sent on His missions.<p><span class= "bld">Staff of bread.</span>--<a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm" title="And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and you shall eat, and not be satisfied.">Leviticus 26:26</a>. (See, too, Note on <a href="/psalms/104-15.htm" title="And wine that makes glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengthens man's heart.">Psalm 104:15</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/105.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Moreover he called for a famine upon the land.</span> To "call for a famine" is the same thing as to create a famine. What God "calls for" immediately exists (see <a href="/genesis/1-3.htm">Genesis 1:3</a>). "The land" intended is the land of Canaan. <span class="cmt_word">He brake the whole staff of bread</span> (comp. <a href="/leviticus/26-26.htm">Leviticus 26:26</a>; Isaiah lit. 1). Bread is called a "staff," as the great support of life. (For the severity of the famine in Canaan, see <a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Genesis 41:1</a>; <a href="/genesis/42-5.htm">Genesis 42:5</a>; <a href="/genesis/43-1.htm">Genesis 43:1</a>.) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/105-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">He called down</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרָ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">famine</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֭עָב</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7458.htm">Strong's 7458: </a> </span><span class="str2">Famine, hunger</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֑רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and cut off</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁבָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7665.htm">Strong's 7665: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break, break in pieces</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their supplies</span><br /><span class="heb">מַטֵּה־</span> <span class="translit">(maṭ·ṭêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4294.htm">Strong's 4294: </a> </span><span class="str2">A staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of food.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֥חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(le·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3899.htm">Strong's 3899: </a> </span><span class="str2">Food, bread, grain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 105:16 He called for a famine (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/105-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 105:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 105:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/105-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 105:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 105:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>