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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/2_kings/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/2_kings/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city had become so severe that there was no food for the people to eat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_kings/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />By July 18 in the eleventh year of Zedekiah’s reign, the famine in the city had become very severe, and the last of the food was entirely gone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_kings/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_kings/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_kings/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And on the ninth <i>day</i> of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_kings/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />By the ninth <i>day</i> of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine had become so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_kings/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_kings/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_kings/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />On the ninth day of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_kings/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />On the ninth day of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine was so strong in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_kings/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the <i>fourth</i> month the famine [caused by the siege] was severe in the city; there was no food for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_kings/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that the common people had no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_kings/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that the people of the land had no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_kings/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_kings/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_kings/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city became so severe that the common people had no food. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_kings/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the fourth month of that same year, when the famine was so bad that the people had nothing left to eat, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_kings/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month, the resulting famine had become so severe in the city that no food remained for the people who lived in the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_kings/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_kings/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />By the ninth day of the fourth month the famine in the city was so severe the residents had no food.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_kings/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_kings/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_kings/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />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. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_kings/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />On the ninth of the month, when the famine is severe in the city, then there has not been bread for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_kings/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_kings/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In the ninth to the month and the famine will be strong in the city, and there was not bread for the people of the land.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_kings/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The ninth day of the month: and a famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_kings/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />on the ninth day of the month. And a famine prevailed in the city; neither was there bread for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_kings/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the month, when famine had gripped the city, and the people of the land had no more food,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_kings/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine became so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_kings/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And in the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, on the ninth day of the fifth month, the famine was severe in the city and there was no bread for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_kings/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And in year eleven of King Tsedeqia, in the fifth month, on the ninth of the month, a famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_kings/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_kings/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_kings/25-3.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/FiLs3w_mMFQ?start=8636" 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/2_kings/25.htm">Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8672.htm" title="8672: bə·ṯiš·‘āh (Prep-b:: Number-ms) -- A nine. Or tishtah; perhaps from sha'ah through the idea of a turn to the next or full number ten; nine or Ninth.">By the ninth day</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: la·ḥō·ḏeš (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">of the fourth month,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7458.htm" title="7458: hā·rā·‘āḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Famine, hunger. From ra'eb; hunger.">the famine</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: bā·‘îr (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">in the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer.">was so severe</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: lə·‘am (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">that the people</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.">of the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/3899.htm" title="3899: le·ḥem (N-ms) -- Bread, food. From lacham; food, especially bread, or grain.">food.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Then 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,…<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="/jeremiah/52-6.htm">Jeremiah 52:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/39-2.htm">Jeremiah 39:2</a></span><br />And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9-10</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm">Ezekiel 4:16-17</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm">Ezekiel 5:10</a></span><br />As a result, fathers among you will eat their sons, and sons will eat their fathers. I will execute judgments against you and scatter all your remnant to every wind.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-18.htm">Jeremiah 14:18</a></span><br />If I go out to the country, I see those slain by the sword; if I enter the city, I see those ravaged by famine! For both prophet and priest travel to a land they do not know.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm">Lamentations 2:11-12</a></span><br />My eyes fail from weeping; I am churning within. My heart is poured out in grief over the destruction of the daughter of my people, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city. / They cry out to their mothers: “Where is the grain and wine?” as they faint like the wounded in the streets of the city, as their lives fade away in the arms of their mothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/21-7.htm">Jeremiah 21:7</a></span><br />‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-15.htm">Ezekiel 7:15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-11.htm">Lamentations 1:11</a></span><br />All her people groan as they search for bread. They have traded their treasures for food to keep themselves alive. Look, O LORD, and consider, for I have become despised.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-19.htm">Matthew 24:19-21</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! / Pray that your flight will not occur in the winter or on the Sabbath. / For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-23.htm">Luke 21:23-24</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! For there will be great distress upon the land and wrath against this people. / They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations. And Jerusalem will be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-17.htm">Mark 13:17-19</a></span><br />How miserable those days will be for pregnant and nursing mothers! / Pray that this will not occur in the winter. / For those will be days of tribulation unseen from the beginning of God’s creation until now, and never to be seen again.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-5.htm">Revelation 6:5-6</a></span><br />And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. / And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-52.htm">Deuteronomy 28:52-57</a></span><br />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. / The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived, ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">A.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/39-2.htm">Jeremiah 39:2</a></b></br> <i>And</i> in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth <i>day</i> of the month, the city was broken up.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/52-6.htm">Jeremiah 52:6</a></b></br> And in the fourth month, in the ninth <i>day</i> of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/8-19.htm">Zechariah 8:19</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth <i>month</i>, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.</p><p class="hdg">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><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-52.htm">Deuteronomy 28:52,53</a></b></br> And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/lamentations/4-4.htm">Lamentations 4:4-10</a></b></br> The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, <i>and</i> no man breaketh <i>it</i> unto them… </p><p class="hdg">there was no.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/37-21.htm">Jeremiah 37:21</a></b></br> Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/38-2.htm">Jeremiah 38:2</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/19-11.htm">Almost</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-9.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-2.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-9.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-1.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-29.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-9.htm">Fourth</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">Month</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">Ninth</a> <a href="/1_kings/16-22.htm">Prevailed</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-26.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-3.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-17.htm">Store</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/10-20.htm">Almost</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-29.htm">Bread</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-29.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-12.htm">Famine</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-30.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/2-14.htm">Fourth</a> <a href="/2_kings/25-8.htm">Month</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/12-12.htm">Ninth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/5-2.htm">Prevailed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/21-4.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/10-3.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/18-8.htm">Store</a><div class="vheading2">2 Kings 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">Jerusalem is besieged.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm">Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-8.htm">Nebuzaradan defaces the city, exiles the remnant, except a few poor laborers;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-13.htm">and carries away the treasures.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-18.htm">The nobles are slain at Riblah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-22.htm">Gedaliah, who was over those who remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_kings/25-27.htm">Evil-Merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court.</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/2_kings/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_kings/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>By the ninth day of the fourth month</b><br>This phrase refers to a specific time during the siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians, which began in the tenth year of King Zedekiah's reign. The fourth month is Tammuz in the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to June-July. The ninth day of Tammuz marks a significant point in the siege, as it was when the city’s defenses were critically weakened. This date is historically significant as it marks the beginning of the end for Jerusalem, leading to its eventual fall and destruction. The precision of the date underscores the chronicler's intent to highlight the severity and historical importance of the event.<p><b>the famine in the city was so severe</b><br>The siege of Jerusalem led to a devastating famine, a common consequence of prolonged sieges in the ancient world. The Babylonians cut off supplies, leading to extreme scarcity of food. This famine fulfills the warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/14-15.htm">Jeremiah 14:15-18</a>) and Ezekiel (<a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm">Ezekiel 4:16-17</a>), who foretold the dire consequences of the people's disobedience to God. The severity of the famine is a reflection of the judgment that had been prophesied due to the nation's persistent idolatry and rebellion against God.<p><b>that the people of the land had no food</b><br>The phrase highlights the desperation and suffering of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The "people of the land" refers to the general population, including those who were not part of the ruling class. This situation is reminiscent of previous famines in Israel's history, such as during the time of Elisha (<a href="/2_kings/6-25.htm">2 Kings 6:25</a>), and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The lack of food symbolizes the spiritual famine that had also taken hold of the nation, as they had rejected the sustenance of God's word. This dire situation foreshadows the ultimate destruction of the city and the temple, leading to the Babylonian exile, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that would shape their identity and faith.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The capital city of Judah, under siege by the Babylonians, leading to severe famine.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/babylonians.htm">Babylonians</a></b><br>The empire led by King Nebuchadnezzar, besieging Jerusalem as a judgment from God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/z/zedekiah.htm">Zedekiah</a></b><br>The last king of Judah, whose reign ended with the fall of Jerusalem.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm">Famine</a></b><br>A severe lack of food resulting from the prolonged siege, symbolizing God's judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ninth_day_of_the_fourth_month.htm">The Ninth Day of the Fourth Month</a></b><br>A specific time marker indicating the depth of the crisis during the siege.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The famine in Jerusalem was a direct result of the people's disobedience to God. This serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of turning away from God's commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_judgment.htm">God's Sovereignty in Judgment</a></b><br>The siege and resulting famine were not random events but were orchestrated by God as a fulfillment of His warnings. This underscores God's control over history and His faithfulness to His word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_repentance.htm">The Importance of Repentance</a></b><br>The suffering in Jerusalem highlights the need for genuine repentance. Even in dire circumstances, turning back to God can lead to restoration and hope.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_god_in_times_of_crisis.htm">Trusting God in Times of Crisis</a></b><br>While the famine was a judgment, it also serves as a call to trust in God's provision and sovereignty, even when circumstances seem dire.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_prophecy.htm">The Role of Prophecy</a></b><br>The events in <a href="/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3</a> fulfill earlier prophecies, demonstrating the reliability of God's word and the importance of heeding prophetic warnings.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_kings_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_ezekiel_12_13_with_history.htm">Ezekiel 12:13 foretells a ruler’s capture, yet some historical accounts appear to conflict with the exact manner of King Zedekiah’s downfall; how can these differences be reconciled? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_non-biblical_proof_of_samaria's_recovery.htm">2 Kings 7:16 -- Is there any credible record outside the Bible confirming that Samaria's economy recovered so quickly?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_god_say_zedekiah_won't_die_by_sword.htm">Jeremiah 34:3 - How could God promise Zedekiah would not die by the sword if 2 Kings 25:7 says Nebuchadnezzar blinded him and took him captive?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_amaziah_follow_god,_then_idols.htm">Why does 2 Kings 14:3 say Amaziah followed God while 2 Chronicles 25:14 depicts him turning to idols?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_kings/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">And on the ninth day of the fourth month.</span>--The text is supplemented from <a href="/jeremiah/39-2.htm" title="And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.">Jeremiah 39:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/52-6.htm" title="And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land.">Jeremiah 52:6</a>. The Syriac, however, has, "And in the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, <span class= "ital">in the fifth month,</span> on the ninth day of the month, the famine prevailed," &c.; which may be original. (Comp. <a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm" title="And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.">2Kings 25:1</a>.)<p><span class= "bld">The famine prevailed.</span>--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 <a href="/lamentations/2-11.htm" title="My eyes do fail with tears, my bowels are troubled, my liver is poured on the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people; because the children and the sucklings swoon in the streets of the city.">Lamentations 2:11</a> <span class= "ital">seq.,</span> <a href="/lamentations/2-19.htm" title="Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out your heart like water before the face of the LORD: lift up your hands toward him for the life of your young children, that faint for hunger in the top of every street.">Lamentations 2:19</a> <span class= "ital">seq.,</span> <a href="/context/lamentations/4-3.htm" title="Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.">Lamentations 4:3-10</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm" title="Therefore the fathers shall eat the sons in the middle of you, and the sons shall eat their fathers; and I will execute judgments in you, and the whole remnant of you will I scatter into all the winds.">Ezekiel 5:10</a>; <a href="//apocrypha.org/baruch/2-3.htm" title="That a man should eat the flesh of his own son, and the flesh of his own daughter.">Baruch 2:3</a>. As in the famine of Samaria and the last siege of Jerusalem, parents ate their own offspring. (Comp. the prophetic threats of <a href="/leviticus/26-29.htm" title="And you shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall you eat.">Leviticus 26:29</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/28-53.htm" title="And you shall eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, which the LORD your God has given you, in the siege, and in the narrow place, with which your enemies shall distress you:">Deuteronomy 28:53</a> <span class= "ital">seq.;</span> <a href="/jeremiah/15-2.htm" title="And it shall come to pass, if they say to you, Where shall we go forth? then you shall tell them, Thus said the LORD; Such as are for death, to death; and such as are for the sword, to the sword; and such as are for the famine, to the famine; and such as are for the captivity, to the captivity.">Jeremiah 15:2</a> <span class= "ital">seq.,</span> <a href="/jeremiah/27-13.htm" title="Why will you die, you and your people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD has spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?">Jeremiah 27:13</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/4-16.htm" title="Moreover he said to me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:">Ezekiel 4:16</a> <span class= "ital">seq.</span>) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_kings/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And on the ninth day of the fourth month.</span> The text of Kings is here incomplete, and has to be restored from <a href="/jeremiah/52-6.htm">Jeremiah 52:6</a>. Our translators have supplied the missing words. <span class="cmt_word">The famine prevailed in the city</span> (see the comment on ver. 2). As I have elsewhere observed, "The intensity of the suffering endured may be gathered from Lamentations, Ezekiel, and Josephus. The complexions of the men grew black with famine (<a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8</a>; <a href="/lamentations/5-10.htm">Lamentations 5:10</a>); their skin was shrunk and parched (<a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Lamentations 4:8</a>); the rich and noble women searched the dunghills for setups of offal (<a href="/lamentations/4-5.htm">Lamentations 4:5</a>); the children perished for want, or were even devoured by their parents (<a href="/lamentations/2-20.htm">Lamentations 2:20</a>; <a href="/lamentations/4-3.htm">Lamentations 4:3, 4, 10</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/5-10.htm">Ezekiel 5:10</a>); water was scarce, as well as food, and was sold at a price (<a href="/lamentations/5-4.htm">Lamentations 5:4</a>); third part of the inhabitants died of the famine, and the plague which grew out of it (<a href="/ezekiel/5-12.htm">Ezekiel 5:12</a>)" (see the 'Speaker's Commentary,' vol. it. p. 147). <span class="cmt_word">And there was no bread for the people of the land.</span> Bread commonly fails comparatively early in a siege. It was some time before the fall of the city that Ebed-Meleeh expressed his fear that Jeremiah would starve, since there was no more bread in the place (see <a href="/jeremiah/38-9.htm">Jeremiah 38:9</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_kings/25-3.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">By the ninth [day]</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּתִשְׁעָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ṯiš·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8672.htm">Strong's 8672: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nine, ninth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the [fourth] month,</span><br /><span class="heb">לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(la·ḥō·ḏeš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> </span><span class="str2">The new moon, a month</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the famine</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרָעָ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rā·‘āḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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">in the city</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעִ֑יר</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was so severe</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֶּחֱזַ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(way·ye·ḥĕ·zaq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2388.htm">Strong's 2388: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that the people</span><br /><span class="heb">לְעַ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·‘am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the land</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָֽרֶץ׃</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">had</span><br /><span class="heb">הָ֥יָה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">food.</span><br /><span class="heb">לֶ֖חֶם</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/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_kings/25-3.htm">2 Kings 25:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_kings/25-3.htm">OT History: 2 Kings 25:3 On the ninth day of the fourth (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_kings/25-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Kings 25:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Kings 25:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_kings/25-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Kings 25:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Kings 25:4" /></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>