Jeremiah 52:6

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And in the fourth {H7243} month {H2320}, in the ninth {H8672} day of the month {H2320}, the famine {H7458} was sore {H2388} in the city {H5892}, so that there was no bread {H3899} for the people {H5971} of the land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the ninth day of the fourth month, when the famine in the city was so severe that there was no food for the people of the land,

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:6 offers a poignant and precise historical account of the devastating famine that gripped Jerusalem during the final, brutal stages of the Babylonian siege. It meticulously records the exact date—the ninth day of the fourth month—when the city's food supply completely collapsed, leaving its inhabitants without any form of sustenance. This verse powerfully underscores the dire and tragic consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion against God, serving as a grim testament to the painful fulfillment of prophetic warnings and the culmination of divine judgment upon a disobedient nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 serves as a historical appendix to the prophetic book, largely paralleling the account found in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24-25 "2 Kings 24-25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). It provides a detailed, chronological narrative of Jerusalem's final downfall, the destruction of the Temple, and the subsequent exiles to Babylon. Coming after Jeremiah's extensive prophetic oracles of judgment and hope, this chapter functions as a stark historical validation of his warnings, demonstrating that God's word ultimately comes to pass. Verse 6 specifically follows the description of the siege's commencement in [Jeremiah 52:4](/jeremiah/52-4 "Jeremiah 52:4 - Beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem"), setting the stage for the city's eventual breach and capture detailed in the verses that immediately follow, particularly [Jeremiah 52:7](/jeremiah/52-7 "Jeremiah 52:7 - The City's Walls Breached"). It highlights the escalating severity of the siege conditions, building to the climax of the city's collapse.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in [Jeremiah 52:6](/jeremiah/52-6 "Jeremiah 52:6 - The Famine in Jerusalem") occurred during the reign of King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, specifically in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon had laid siege to Jerusalem for over two years, a common military tactic in the ancient Near East designed to starve out a city and force its surrender. Jerusalem, though heavily fortified, relied on its internal resources, which were finite. A prolonged siege would inevitably lead to extreme deprivation, with famine being a horrific but expected outcome. Such conditions often led to widespread disease, death, and even acts of cannibalism, as tragically depicted in the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/2 "Lamentations 2 - God's Wrath on Jerusalem"), particularly [Lamentations 2:20](/lamentations/2-20 "Lamentations 2:20 - Mothers Eating Their Children") and [Lamentations 4:10](/lamentations/4-10 "Lamentations 4:10 - Compassionate Women Boil Their Own Children"). The "people of the land" refers to the general populace, emphasizing that the suffering was not confined to soldiers or the elite but was a widespread catastrophe affecting every segment of society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic tradition. Primarily, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment** and the **Consequences of Disobedience**. The famine and the fall of Jerusalem were not random historical occurrences but were understood as God's righteous judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of His prophets' warnings, especially those of Jeremiah. This aligns with the warnings found in the Mosaic covenant, such as those in [Deuteronomy 28:52](/deuteronomy/28-52 "Deuteronomy 28:52 - Siege Curses"). The verse also highlights the **Suffering of God's People**, even in judgment, evoking a profound sense of pathos and the tragic cost of rebellion. Finally, it serves as a grim fulfillment of **Prophetic Warning**, demonstrating that God's word, though often rejected and ridiculed, ultimately comes to pass, as seen in Jeremiah's consistent message throughout the book, from his initial call in [Jeremiah 1](/jeremiah/1 "Jeremiah 1 - Jeremiah's Call") to his final prophecies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sore (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** From H2388, this word means "to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong... be (wax) sore, strengthen (self)." When applied to the famine, as it is here, _châzaq_ signifies that the famine had become "strong" or "severe" in its grip. It was not merely a scarcity but had taken a firm, unyielding hold on the city, indicating an extreme and unbearable intensity of hunger that had seized the populace. This emphasizes the critical, life-threatening stage of the food shortage, where the famine's power was undeniable and overwhelming.
* **famine (Hebrew, _râʻâb'_):** From H7458, meaning "hunger (more or less extensive); dearth, famine." This term precisely identifies the nature of the crisis. Coupled with _châzaq_, it paints a picture of a widespread and profound lack of food, leading directly to starvation. It is the direct and intended consequence of the prolonged siege, designed to break the will of the besieged through the most basic human need, demonstrating the city's utter vulnerability.
* **bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** From H3899, referring to "food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)." In ancient Israelite culture, bread was the staple of life, often synonymous with food in general. The declaration that "there was no bread" signifies not just a lack of a particular food item, but a complete absence of any basic sustenance. This highlights the absolute destitution and the complete collapse of the food supply chain within the besieged city, indicating a state of utter desperation and impending death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month":** This precise temporal marker, typical of historical accounts in the Bible, grounds the event in a specific time. The "fourth month" (Tammuz, roughly equivalent to July) and "ninth day" indicate a date well into the summer, after many months of siege (which began in the tenth month of the ninth year of Zedekiah, [Jeremiah 52:4](/jeremiah/52-4 "Jeremiah 52:4 - Siege Begins")). This specificity lends credibility and gravity to the unfolding tragedy, emphasizing the prolonged and agonizing suffering that preceded this critical point of no return.
* **"the famine was sore in the city":** This clause describes the devastating condition within Jerusalem. The famine, a direct and intended result of the Babylonian siege, had intensified to an unbearable degree. The word "sore" (Hebrew _châzaq_) conveys the severity and strength of the hunger, indicating that it had become acute, pervasive, and had taken a firm grip on every inhabitant. The city, once a symbol of strength and divine protection, was now a place of extreme suffering and imminent collapse.
* **"so that there was no bread for the people of the land":** This final clause articulates the ultimate, catastrophic consequence of the severe famine: a complete and utter lack of basic sustenance. "Bread" (Hebrew _lechem_) represents all food, signifying total deprivation and the exhaustion of all reserves. The phrase "people of the land" refers to the general populace, underscoring that the suffering was universal, affecting everyone from the highest to the lowest, illustrating the complete breakdown of societal order and the desperate, dying plight of the besieged.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the profound tragedy of Jerusalem's fall. The most prominent is **Realism**, as the verse offers a stark, unvarnished depiction of the siege's brutal reality, focusing on the tangible suffering of famine rather than abstract theological concepts. This unflinching portrayal is designed to evoke **Pathos**, drawing the reader into the emotional agony and desperation of the besieged city. The precise dating ("in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month") functions as **Verisimilitude**, enhancing the sense of historical accuracy and making the suffering feel immediate and undeniable, grounding the narrative in concrete historical fact. Furthermore, the statement "so that there was no bread for the people of the land" is a form of **Hyperbole**, powerfully conveying the absolute, crushing lack of sustenance, emphasizing that what little might have remained was utterly insufficient for a population on the brink of starvation. This grim detail also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the imminent collapse of the city walls and the subsequent destruction and exile, as starvation was a primary tool for breaking a city's resistance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:6 stands as a stark testament to the principle of divine judgment and the severe consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. The famine, a direct result of the prolonged siege, was not merely a military tactic but was understood by Jeremiah and other prophets as God's righteous hand at work, fulfilling the curses outlined in the Mosaic Law for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:52](/deuteronomy/28-52 "Deuteronomy 28:52 - Curses of Siege and Famine")). This verse underscores the gravity of Judah's rebellion, demonstrating that persistent sin and rejection of God's warnings ultimately lead to devastating outcomes. It highlights God's sovereignty over nations and history, even in moments of profound human suffering, and serves as a somber reminder that His word, whether of blessing or judgment, will always come to pass.

* [Leviticus 26:26](/leviticus/26-26 "Leviticus 26:26 - The Curse of Famine and Scarcity")
* [Lamentations 4:9](/lamentations/4-9 "Lamentations 4:9 - Famine Worse Than the Sword")
* [Ezekiel 5:16](/ezekiel/5-16 "Ezekiel 5:16 - God's Arrows of Famine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid depiction of famine in [Jeremiah 52:6](/jeremiah/52-6 "Jeremiah 52:6 - The Famine in Jerusalem") serves as a powerful and enduring lesson for believers today. It reminds us of the profound and often painful consequences that can arise from sustained disobedience and a hardened heart towards God's truth. Just as ancient Judah experienced the physical and societal collapse due to their spiritual rebellion, so too can individuals and communities face severe spiritual and relational destitution when they consistently reject divine wisdom and guidance. This verse calls us to deep introspection: Are we listening to God's warnings, whether through His Word, His Spirit, or the counsel of godly mentors? Do we recognize the subtle ways in which spiritual "famine" can begin to take hold in our lives—a lack of nourishment from the Word, a hunger for worldly things over spiritual truth, a weakening of faith due to neglect? It compels us to cultivate a posture of humility, repentance, and diligent pursuit of God's will, understanding that true flourishing comes from abiding in Him, the source of all life and sustenance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing a "spiritual famine" due to neglect or disobedience?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice alongside His mercy?**
* **What warnings or promptings from God might I be neglecting, and what are the potential consequences of such neglect?**
* **How can I better nourish my soul with the "bread of life" to avoid spiritual destitution?**

### FAQ
**Why is the famine so specifically dated in Jeremiah 52:6?**

Answer: The precise dating ("in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it lends historical authenticity and credibility to the account, grounding the narrative in specific, verifiable events. This level of detail is common in ancient historical records and prophetic fulfillments, emphasizing that these were not vague predictions but concrete occurrences. Secondly, it highlights the culmination of suffering. By specifying the exact day the famine became "sore" (extreme), the text underscores the prolonged and escalating agony endured by the besieged. It marks the point of utter desperation, just before the city's walls were breached, as described in [Jeremiah 52:7](/jeremiah/52-7 "Jeremiah 52:7 - The Breaching of Jerusalem's Walls"). This precision emphasizes the severity of God's judgment and the depth of the people's plight.

**How does this verse relate to God's character, especially His love and mercy?**

Answer: While [Jeremiah 52:6](/jeremiah/52-6 "Jeremiah 52:6 - The Famine in Jerusalem") vividly portrays the harsh reality of divine judgment and its devastating consequences, it must be understood within the broader context of God's character, which is ultimately defined by both justice and steadfast love. The famine and the fall of Jerusalem were not arbitrary acts of cruelty but the culmination of centuries of Israel's rebellion and rejection of God's covenant. God had repeatedly sent prophets, including Jeremiah, to warn His people and call them to repentance, demonstrating immense patience and mercy (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:25-26](/jeremiah/7-25 "Jeremiah 7:25-26 - God Sent Prophets Repeatedly")). The judgment, therefore, was a sorrowful but necessary act to uphold His holiness and justice, and to prune His people for future restoration. Even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose was redemptive, aiming to bring His people back to Himself, as promised in passages like [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - God's Plans for Restoration"). The severity of the judgment underscores the gravity of sin and the profound value God places on faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:6, with its grim depiction of a city starving for "bread," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. While the physical famine in Jerusalem was a consequence of sin and judgment, it foreshadows a deeper spiritual hunger that only Christ can satisfy. Humanity, spiritually speaking, was in a state of profound famine, alienated from God and unable to provide for its own deepest needs. The Law, like the besieged city, could only reveal the extent of this spiritual starvation, but could not provide the sustenance. Christ, through His sacrificial death, became the ultimate provision, offering Himself as the spiritual nourishment that brings eternal life to those who believe. Jesus declared Himself to be the "[bread of life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")" in [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), stating that whoever comes to Him will never hunger. He satisfies the hunger for righteousness ([Matthew 5:6](/matthew/5-6 "Matthew 5:6 - Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness")), the thirst for living water ([John 4:14](/john/4-14 "John 4:14 - Living Water")), and delivers from the ultimate judgment of sin. Thus, the desperate cry for "bread" in Jerusalem points forward to the universal human need for the life-giving sustenance found only in Jesus Christ, the true "bread from heaven" ([John 6:32-33](/john/6-32-33 "John 6:32-33 - True Bread from Heaven")).

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 39:2

[And] in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the city was broken up.

Isaiah 3:1

¶ For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

2 Kings 25:3

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.

Jeremiah 38:9

My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for [there is] no more bread in the city.

Jeremiah 25:10

Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

Lamentations 4:4

The tongue of the sucking child cleaveth to the roof of his mouth for thirst: the young children ask bread, [and] no man breaketh [it] unto them.

Lamentations 4:6

For the punishment of the iniquity of the daughter of my people is greater than the punishment of the sin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands stayed on her.