The Hebrew word kâphân, represented by H3720, translates to famine or hunger. The term derives from a root that suggests making one stoop with emptiness and pain. It is a rare word, appearing only 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible, but it is used to depict a state of severe lack and hardship.
The two appearances of H3720 are found in the book of Job, where it describes extreme suffering. In one context, it is presented as a calamity that the righteous person will overcome, being able to "laugh" at destruction and famine Job 5:22. In contrast, it is also used to portray a state of absolute misery, where want and famine drive individuals to become solitary and flee into the desolate wilderness Job 30:3. In both instances, it signifies a profound and life-threatening scarcity.
Several related words are paired with H3720 to intensify the description of hardship:
- H7701 shôd (destruction): This word means violence, ravage; desolation, destruction, oppression, robbery, spoil(-ed, -er, -ing), wasting. It appears with famine in Job 5:22, linking hunger with broader themes of societal collapse and violent ruin, such as the "destruction from the Almighty" Joel 1:15.
- H2639 cheçer (want): Defined as lack; hence, destitution; poverty, want. It is used alongside famine in Job 30:3 to create a picture of complete and utter need, describing the condition of those who are solitary and desolate.
The theological weight of H3720 is found in its use within the context of suffering and divine justice in Job.
- A Condition of Despair: Paired with want H2639, famine is depicted as a force that leads to utter isolation and drives people into the wilderness, symbolizing a state of profound physical and social desolation Job 30:3.
- A Trial of Faith: The ability to laugh at famine and destruction H7701 is presented as a divine blessing and a mark of security for the righteous, suggesting that God's protection transcends even the most dire physical circumstances Job 5:22.
- Component of Calamity: Its consistent association with words for destruction and destitution establishes famine as a key element within the biblical depiction of extreme calamity and judgment.
In summary, H3720 is a specific and potent term for famine. While it is used infrequently, its appearances in the book of Job powerfully illustrate the extremes of human suffering. By being paired with words like destruction H7701 and want H2639, it conveys a condition that can lead to total despair but can also serve as a trial that is overcome through faith in God's deliverance.
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