2 Kings 6:25

KJV

And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver, and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five [pieces] of silver.

KJV (with Strong's)

And there was a great {H1419} famine {H7458} in Samaria {H8111}: and, behold, they besieged {H6696} it, until an ass's {H2543} head {H7218} was sold for fourscore {H8084} pieces of silver {H3701}, and the fourth part {H7255} of a cab {H6894} of dove's dung {H1686}{H3123}{H2755} for five {H2568} pieces of silver {H3701}.

Complete Jewish Bible

At the time, there was a severe famine in Shomron; and they maintained their siege until a donkey's head sold for eighty pieces of silver and half a pint of doves' dung for five pieces of silver.

Berean Standard Bible

So there was a great famine in Samaria. Indeed, they besieged the city so long that a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver.

American Standard Version

And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass’s head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove’s dung for five pieces of silver.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 6:25 offers a harrowing depiction of the extreme suffering endured by the inhabitants of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, during a severe and prolonged siege by the Aramaean army. This verse vividly illustrates the devastating impact of the resulting famine, forcing the city's residents to resort to unimaginable and culturally forbidden measures for survival, highlighting the profound depths of desperation reached as a consequence of the siege.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the commencement of the Aramaean siege of Samaria under King Ben-hadad, as detailed in [2 Kings 6:24](/2_kings/6-24 "2 Kings 6:24 - Ben-hadad Besieges Samaria"). It serves to establish the dire circumstances that precede the dramatic prophetic intervention of Elisha, setting the stage for his audacious prophecy of abundance in [2 Kings 7:1](/2_kings/7-1 "2 Kings 7:1 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance"). The graphic portrayal of starvation in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine in Samaria") is crucial for magnifying the miraculous nature of God's subsequent deliverance and the undeniable fulfillment of Elisha's word, thereby emphasizing divine power in the face of human impossibility.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is Samaria, the capital of Israel, during a period of intense and often violent conflict with Aram (Syria). Sieges were a common, brutal tactic in ancient warfare, designed to starve a city into submission by cutting off all supplies. The prices quoted for an "ass's head" and "dove's dung" are astronomically high, reflecting an economic collapse and the complete breakdown of normal societal functions under the duress of the famine. Culturally, the consumption of an ass (donkey) was strictly forbidden by Mosaic Law, as it was considered an unclean animal (see [Leviticus 11:4](/leviticus/11-4 "Leviticus 11:4 - Unclean Animals")). The desperate acts described in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine in Samaria") illustrate that even profound religious and cultural taboos were overridden by the primal instinct for survival.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores themes of **extreme desperation and scarcity**, vividly illustrating the horrific consequences of famine within a besieged city. It implicitly highlights the **severity of divine judgment**, as such suffering often aligns with the covenant curses for disobedience warned in [Deuteronomy 28:53](/deuteronomy/28-53 "Deuteronomy 28:53 - Curses for Disobedience in Siege"). Furthermore, the verse serves as a crucial setup for the theme of **God's miraculous provision and deliverance** in the face of human impossibility, which is dramatically fulfilled in the subsequent chapter. The narrative demonstrates that even in the bleakest circumstances, God's power can bring about unexpected salvation, transforming utter despair into hope, as seen in the broader context of [2 Kings 7](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - The End of the Famine").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** From the root meaning "to be great," this adjective emphasizes the immense scale and severity of the famine. It signifies not merely a lack of food, but a widespread, profound, and devastating hunger affecting the entire city, leading to extreme conditions and desperate measures.
* **Ass (Hebrew, _chămôwr'_):** Refers to a male donkey, an animal explicitly classified as unclean and forbidden for consumption under Mosaic Law (cf. [Leviticus 11:4](/leviticus/11-4 "Leviticus 11:4 - Unclean Animals")). Its mention here highlights the utter desperation of the inhabitants, who were forced to violate deeply ingrained religious dietary laws to survive, indicating that all other food sources had been exhausted.
* **Dove's dung (Hebrew, _dibyôwn'_):** Of uncertain derivation, this term is generally understood to refer to either actual bird droppings (consumed in extreme desperation) or, more likely, a cheap vegetable, perhaps a bulbous root or carob pods, that was colloquially known by this name due to its appearance or low value. Regardless of the precise botanical identification, its sale for an exorbitant price underscores the unprecedented scarcity of even the most undesirable or meager forms of sustenance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there was a great famine in Samaria:"** This opening phrase immediately establishes the central crisis, setting a grim and foreboding tone. The use of "great" underscores the widespread and severe nature of the food shortage, indicating an acute state of starvation within the city.
* **"and, behold, they besieged it,"** This clause provides the direct cause of the famine. The city of Samaria was under a tight and relentless siege by the Aramaean army, which effectively cut off all external supplies and prevented any movement in or out, thereby creating an isolated, starving environment.
* **"until an ass's head was [sold] for fourscore [pieces] of silver,"** This shocking detail vividly illustrates the extreme severity of the famine. The sale of an ass's head, a ritually unclean and generally undesirable food source, for an exorbitant sum of 80 shekels of silver, highlights the desperate measures taken by the inhabitants and the astronomical hyperinflation of food prices. This price was equivalent to the cost of a significant piece of land or multiple slaves, underscoring the utter collapse of economic norms.
* **"and the fourth part of a cab of dove's dung for five [pieces] of silver."** This further intensifies the depiction of desperation. A "fourth part of a cab" was a minuscule volume (approximately 0.3 liters). The fact that even "dove's dung"—whether literal refuse or a euphemism for a worthless, unpalatable plant—could command five shekels of silver powerfully conveys the absolute scarcity of even the most basic, ritually impure, or nutritionally poor forms of sustenance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey the horrific conditions within besieged Samaria. **Hyperbole** is strikingly evident in the astronomical prices quoted for items normally considered worthless or inedible, such as an ass's head and dove's dung. This exaggeration serves to emphasize the unparalleled scarcity and the extreme desperation of the inhabitants, making the situation almost unbelievable yet tragically real. **Vivid Imagery** is masterfully used to paint a gruesome and visceral picture for the reader, forcing them to confront the reality of starvation that drives people to consume ritually unclean animals and what is essentially refuse. The stark contrast between the inherent worthlessness of the items and their exorbitant prices creates a profound sense of **Irony**, highlighting the complete breakdown of societal norms, economic values, and even religious taboos under the duress of the famine.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while graphically depicting human suffering, also serves as a profound theological statement about the consequences of covenant disobedience and God's ultimate sovereignty. The horrific conditions in Samaria resonate deeply with the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for Israel's unfaithfulness, particularly the chilling warning that they would be driven to cannibalism and consuming unclean things in times of siege (cf. [Deuteronomy 28:53-57](/deuteronomy/28-53-57 "Deuteronomy 28:53-57 - Curses of Siege and Famine")). Yet, even in this bleakest moment, the narrative sets the stage for God's miraculous intervention through Elisha, demonstrating His power to provide and deliver His people, even when all human hope is lost. It underscores that while God's judgment can be severe, it is not His final word, and His compassion can break through the most desperate circumstances, transforming scarcity into abundance.
* [Deuteronomy 28:53](/deuteronomy/28-53 "Deuteronomy 28:53 - Warning of Cannibalism in Siege")
* [Lamentations 4:10](/lamentations/4-10 "Lamentations 4:10 - Mothers Eating Their Children in Famine")
* [2 Kings 7:1-2](/2_kings/7-1-2 "2 Kings 7:1-2 - Elisha's Prophecy of Abundance and Unbelief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grim reality portrayed in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine in Samaria") serves as a stark reminder of the devastating toll that extreme adversity, particularly famine and war, can inflict upon humanity. It forces us to confront the depths of human suffering and the primal instinct for survival that can override even deeply ingrained cultural and religious norms. For believers, this account, situated within the broader narrative of God's interaction with Israel, offers a powerful lesson in divine providence. It highlights that even when circumstances appear utterly hopeless and human ingenuity is exhausted, God's power to intervene and provide remains unfathomable. This passage encourages us to trust in God's faithfulness even in our most desperate moments, knowing that His deliverance can come in unexpected and miraculous ways, transforming scarcity into abundance and despair into hope. It challenges us to consider our own responses to hardship and to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's sustaining grace, recognizing that true provision ultimately comes from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of human desperation and resilience in the face of extreme suffering?**
* **What does the astronomical price of these undesirable items reveal about the true value of basic necessities in times of crisis?**
* **How might this account encourage us to trust in God's provision and sovereignty even when our circumstances seem utterly hopeless?**

### FAQ
**What exactly was "dove's dung" and why was it so expensive?**

Answer: The phrase "dove's dung" (Hebrew: _dibyôwn_) in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine in Samaria") is a subject of scholarly debate. While some interpret it literally as bird droppings, consumed out of extreme desperation, a more widely accepted view suggests it refers to a type of inexpensive plant food. This could be carob pods, which were often used as animal fodder but are edible for humans, or another type of bulbous root or pulse that was colloquially named "dove's dung" due to its appearance or low value. Regardless of the precise botanical identification, its mention at an exorbitant price (five pieces of silver for a mere "fourth part of a cab," a very small measure) powerfully conveys the unprecedented scarcity of food during the siege of Samaria. The high price reflects the hyperinflation and the dire need for any form of sustenance, no matter how unpalatable or low in nutritional value.

**Why would an "ass's head" be sold, especially given its ritual impurity?**

Answer: The sale of an "ass's head" for 80 pieces of silver in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine in Samaria") is a shocking detail that underscores the extreme severity of the famine. According to Mosaic Law, donkeys were considered unclean animals ([Leviticus 11:4](/leviticus/11-4 "Leviticus 11:4 - Unclean Animals")), meaning their flesh was forbidden for consumption by Israelites. The fact that an ass's head, an undesirable and ritually impure part of an unclean animal, was sold for such an astronomical sum indicates that the inhabitants of Samaria had reached the absolute peak of desperation. All other food sources, even those normally considered undesirable but clean, had been exhausted. Survival instincts completely overrode religious laws and cultural norms, highlighting the horrific conditions within the besieged city and the complete breakdown of societal order.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate scene in [2 Kings 6:25](/2_kings/6-25 "2 Kings 6:25 - Famine in Samaria"), with its vivid portrayal of famine and human suffering, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the true bread of life and the ultimate deliverer from spiritual starvation. Just as Samaria was besieged and cut off from physical sustenance, humanity, in its fallen state, is besieged by sin and cut off from the life-giving presence of God, leading to a spiritual famine far more devastating than any physical hunger ([Amos 8:11](/amos/8-11 "Amos 8:11 - A Famine of the Word of God")). The astronomical prices paid for worthless sustenance in Samaria tragically foreshadow the futility of human attempts to satisfy spiritual hunger through worldly pursuits or self-righteousness, which ultimately offer no lasting nourishment ([Isaiah 55:2](/isaiah/55-2 "Isaiah 55:2 - Why Spend Money on What Is Not Bread?")). Jesus, however, comes as the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice to break the siege of sin and death. He declares, "[I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")". Through His atoning work on the cross, He provides true and eternal sustenance, freely available to all who believe, without price or merit ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Gift of God is Eternal Life")). The miraculous deliverance of Samaria from famine in [2 Kings 7](/2_kings/7 "2 Kings 7 - The End of the Famine") serves as a powerful Old Testament type of the infinitely greater deliverance and abundant provision found in Christ, who satisfies the deepest longings of the human soul and brings us into everlasting life ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 14:13

Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

Jeremiah 14:15

Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

2 Kings 6:28

And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, This woman said unto me, Give thy son, that we may eat him to day, and we will eat my son to morrow.

2 Kings 6:29

So we boiled my son, and did eat him: and I said unto her on the next day, Give thy son, that we may eat him: and she hath hid her son.

Jeremiah 14:18

If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

Jeremiah 52:6

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 32:24

Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest [it].