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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://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=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Scarcity</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/scarcity.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/deuteronomy/8-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/scarcity.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Scarcity</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/scarcer.htm" title="Scarcer">◄</a> Scarcity <a href="/topical/s/scarcity_and_suffering.htm" title="Scarcity and Suffering">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Scarcity, a condition of limited resources or insufficient supply, is a theme that appears throughout the Bible, often serving as a backdrop for divine intervention, moral lessons, and spiritual truths. The concept of scarcity is not only a physical reality but also a spiritual metaphor, illustrating human dependence on God and the importance of faith and obedience.<br><br><b>Old Testament Context</b><br><br>In the Old Testament, scarcity is frequently depicted in the form of famine, drought, and lack of resources. One of the earliest instances is found in the account of Joseph, where a severe famine affects Egypt and the surrounding regions. Joseph, through divine revelation, interprets Pharaoh's dreams and advises the storage of grain during seven years of abundance to prepare for the seven years of scarcity (<a href="/genesis/41-29.htm">Genesis 41:29-30</a>). This narrative highlights God's sovereignty and provision, as well as the wisdom and foresight granted to Joseph.<br><br>The Israelites' journey through the wilderness also illustrates scarcity. After their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites face a lack of food and water. In response to their needs, God provides manna from heaven and water from a rock (<a href="/exodus/16-4.htm">Exodus 16:4, 17</a>:6). These miracles underscore God's ability to provide for His people even in the most desolate circumstances and emphasize the importance of trust and reliance on divine provision.<br><br><b>Prophetic Warnings and Lessons</b><br><br>Scarcity is often used by the prophets as a warning of judgment and a call to repentance. In the book of Amos, God warns of a "famine of hearing the words of the LORD" (<a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Amos 8:11</a>), indicating a spiritual scarcity resulting from Israel's disobedience. This metaphorical famine serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the vital need for spiritual nourishment through His word.<br><br>The prophet Elijah's encounter with the widow of Zarephath during a time of drought further illustrates God's provision amidst scarcity. Despite having only a handful of flour and a little oil, the widow's resources do not run out after she obeys Elijah's instruction to first make a small cake for him (<a href="/1_kings/17-14.htm">1 Kings 17:14-16</a>). This event demonstrates God's faithfulness and the blessings that come from obedience and faith.<br><br><b>New Testament Insights</b><br><br>In the New Testament, scarcity is addressed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus' feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish (<a href="/matthew/14-17.htm">Matthew 14:17-21</a>) is a powerful testament to His divine authority and compassion. This miracle not only meets the physical needs of the crowd but also points to Jesus as the Bread of Life, who satisfies spiritual hunger.<br><br>The apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of contentment and reliance on God's provision. In <a href="/philippians/4-12.htm">Philippians 4:12-13</a> , Paul writes, "I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Here, Paul emphasizes that true contentment and strength come from Christ, regardless of material circumstances.<br><br><b>Spiritual Implications</b><br><br>Scarcity in the Bible serves as a reminder of human limitations and the necessity of dependence on God. It challenges believers to trust in God's provision and to seek spiritual abundance through a relationship with Him. The biblical narratives of scarcity encourage a perspective that values spiritual wealth over material abundance and highlights the sufficiency of God's grace in all situations.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>n.</I>) Rareness; deficiency; lack of plenty; short supply; penury; as, a scarcity of grain; a great scarcity of beauties.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/3042.htm"><span class="l">3042. limos -- hunger, famine</span></a> <br><b>...</b> dearth, famine, hunger. Probably from leipo (through the idea of destitution);<br> a <b>scarcity</b> of food -- dearth, famine, hunger. see GREEK leipo. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3042.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/4544.htm"><span class="l">4544. miskenuth -- poverty, <b>scarcity</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> 4543, 4544. miskenuth. 4545 . poverty, <b>scarcity</b>. Transliteration: miskenuth<br> Phonetic Spelling: (mis-kay-nooth') Short Definition: <b>scarcity</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/4544.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/arnobius/the_seven_books_of_arnobius_against_the_heathen/15_sometimes_however_there_were.htm"><span class="l">Sometimes, However, There were Seasons of <b>Scarcity</b>; yet they were <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Book I. 15 Sometimes, however, there were seasons of <b>scarcity</b>; yet they were<br> relieved by times of plenty.? Sometimes, however, there <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../15 sometimes however there were.htm</font><p><a href="/library/montgomery/sacred_poems_and_hymns/hymn_cclxxvi_the_poor_praying.htm"><span class="l">The Poor Praying for Bread in Time of <b>Scarcity</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCLXXVI. The Poor praying for Bread in Time of <b>Scarcity</b>.<br> 8.8.8.8 James Montgomery. The Poor praying for Bread in Time of <b>Scarcity</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cclxxvi the poor praying.htm</font><p><a href="/library/de_molinos/the_spiritual_guide_which_disentangles_the_soul/chap_xxii_a_mournful_exclamation.htm"><span class="l">A Mournful Exclamation and Lamentable Moan to God for the Small <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> may deny and contemn themselves! O what a <b>scarcity</b> of Souls is there, which<br> are disinterested and totally naked! how few are those <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chap xxii a mournful exclamation.htm</font><p><a href="/library/cassian/the_works_of_john_cassian_/chapter_xxi_of_the_spontaneous.htm"><span class="l">Of the Spontaneous Service of Some of the Brethren.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> We have been told of brethren in whose week there was such a <b>scarcity</b> of wood that<br> they had not enough to prepare the usual food for the brethren; and when it <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxi of the spontaneous.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/sermons_on_proverbs/withholding_corn.htm"><span class="l">Withholding Corn</span></a> <br><b>...</b> the transportation of wheat in any large quantities was not attempted; and therefore,<br> if a failure in the crops occurred in one district, the <b>scarcity</b> in that <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/withholding corn.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kleiser/fifteen_thousand_useful_phrases/introduction.htm"><span class="l">Introduction</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It was Dean Swift's belief that the common fluency of speech in many men and<br> most women was due to <b>scarcity</b> of matter and <b>scarcity</b> of words. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/introduction.htm</font><p><a href="/library/pink/the_redeemers_return/3_gods_dealings_with_the.htm"><span class="l">God's Dealings with the Earth During the Tribulation Period.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> is a day's wage (see Matt.20:2). Added to the horrors of universal war, depicted<br> by the previous "seal" judgment, there will be an unparalleled <b>scarcity</b> of food <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 gods dealings with the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/wesley/sermons_on_several_occasions/sermon_131_the_late_work.htm"><span class="l">The Late Work of God in North America</span></a> <br><b>...</b> of Scotland or Ireland. 7. Plenty declined in the same proportion as wealth,<br> till universal <b>scarcity</b> took place. In a short time <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 131 the late work.htm</font><p><a href="/library/josephus/the_antiquities_of_the_jews/chapter_5_what_things_befell.htm"><span class="l">What Things Befell Joseph in Prison.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> with those when Egypt was in a happy state; and this so far, that the plenty of<br> these years will be spent in the same number of years of <b>scarcity</b>, and that <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 what things befell.htm</font><p><a href="/library/spurgeon/spurgeons_sermons_volume_5_1859/the_chaff_driven_away.htm"><span class="l">The Chaff Driven Away</span></a> <br><b>...</b> If war ariseth, behold he stretches his aegis over his children; and if famine comes,<br> they shall be fed, and in the days of <b>scarcity</b> they shall be satisfied. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the chaff driven away.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/scarcity.htm"><span class="l"><b>Scarcity</b> (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> (n.) Rareness; deficiency; lack of plenty; short supply; penury; as, a <b>scarcity</b><br> of grain; a great <b>scarcity</b> of beauties. <b>...</b><b>Scarcity</b> (3 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/scarcity.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/dearth.htm"><span class="l">Dearth (11 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Easton's Bible Dictionary A <b>scarcity</b> of provisions (1 Kings 17). There<br> were frequent dearths in Palestine. In the days of Abram <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/dearth.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/poverty.htm"><span class="l">Poverty (25 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being poor or indigent;<br> want or <b>scarcity</b> of means of subsistence; indigence; need. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/poverty.htm - 21k</font><p><a href="/topical/g/goods.htm"><span class="l">Goods (231 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> communistic practice, which, however justifiable and commendable at the time, bore<br> its inevitable fruits in a subsequent season of great <b>scarcity</b> and lack of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/g/goods.htm - 43k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/want.htm"><span class="l">Want (607 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 1. (n.) The state of not having; the condition of being without anything; absence<br> or <b>scarcity</b> of what is needed or desired; deficiency; lack; as, a want of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/want.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wood-offering.htm"><span class="l">Wood-offering (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> It would seem that in the time of Nehemiah arrangements were made, probably on account<br> of the comparative <b>scarcity</b> of wood, by which certain districts were <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wood-offering.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/woodoffering.htm"><span class="l">Woodoffering</span></a><br><b>...</b> It would seem that in the time of Nehemiah arrangements were made, probably on account<br> of the comparative <b>scarcity</b> of wood, by which certain districts were <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/woodoffering.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/famine.htm"><span class="l">Famine (99 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) General <b>scarcity</b> of food; dearth; a want of<br> provisions; destitution. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FAMINE. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/famine.htm - 49k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/evil.htm"><span class="l">Evil (1503 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Disease, individual and national calamity, drought, <b>scarcity</b> of food, may<br> not always be charged to the account of intentional wrong. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/evil.htm - 47k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/dye.htm"><span class="l">Dye (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Probably it was because of its <b>scarcity</b>, and because it was one of the very limited<br> number of dyes known, rather than for any remarkable beauty of color, that <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/dye.htm - 15k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Gautama-Buddha.html">Who was Gautama Buddha? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/what-was-manna.html">What was manna? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-poor.html">What does the Bible say about being poor? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/scarcity.htm">Scarcity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Scarcity (3 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Deuteronomy 8:9</a></span><br />a land in which without <span class="boldtext">scarcity</span> thou dost eat bread, thou dost not lack anything in it; a land whose stones 'are' iron, and out of its mountains thou dost dig brass;<br /><span class="source">(YLT NAS RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/proverbs/6-11.htm">Proverbs 6:11</a></span><br />so your poverty will come as a robber, and your <span class="boldtext">scarcity</span> as an armed man.<br /><span class="source">(WEB NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/proverbs/24-34.htm">Proverbs 24:34</a></span><br />So loss will come on you like an outlaw, and your need like an armed man.<br /><span class="source">(See NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/scarcity.htm">Scarcity</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/visions.htm">Visions (43 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fright.htm">Fright (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/terrify.htm">Terrify (27 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/castanets.htm">Castanets (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scarecrow.htm">Scarecrow (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scarcity.htm">Scarcity (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dreams.htm">Dreams (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/carcase.htm">Carcase (38 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/scared.htm">Scared (6 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/scarcer.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Scarcer"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Scarcer" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/scarcity_and_suffering.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Scarcity and Suffering"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Scarcity and Suffering" /></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="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></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>