a primitive root; to hunger; (suffer to) famish, (be, have, suffer, suffer to) hunger(-ry).
Transliteration:râʻêb
Pronunciation:raw-abe'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb H7456 (רָעֵב, *râʻêb*) is a primitive root signifying the state of "to hunger" or "to be hungry." Its primary and most frequent usage in the Old Testament refers to a literal, physical craving for food, often to the point of "famishing" or suffering from a lack of sustenance. This can encompass the mild discomfort of an empty stomach, the gnawing pain of prolonged deprivation, or the life-threatening condition of starvation. The semantic range is largely confined to this physical sensation, emphasizing the dire consequences of food scarcity. Unlike some other verbs that expand into broad metaphorical uses, H7456 remains closely tied to the physiological need for nourishment, though the *contexts* in which it appears often carry significant theological weight.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb H7456 appears throughout the Old Testament, frequently in narratives depicting periods of famine, wilderness wanderings, or times of distress.
In the Joseph narrative, the people *hungered* during the seven years of famine, leading them to cry out to Pharaoh for food ([[Genesis 41:55]]). This highlights the widespread and desperate nature of hunger.
During the Exodus, the Israelites *hungered* in the wilderness, prompting their complaints against Moses and Aaron, and leading to God's miraculous provision of manna and quail ([[Exodus 16:3]]). This context underscores hunger as a test of faith and a catalyst for divine intervention. Deuteronomy 8:3 explicitly states that God "let you *hunger* and fed you with manna," demonstrating that hunger was a pedagogical tool, intended to teach Israel their dependence on God's word and provision, not just bread.
In times of war or siege, hunger becomes a weapon and a severe consequence. During David's flight from Absalom, his weary and *hungry* men were refreshed by provisions brought by loyal supporters ([[2 Samuel 17:29]]). Lamentations vividly portrays the devastating effects of the siege of Jerusalem, where those *hungering* for lack of food suffered more than those slain by the sword ([[Lamentations 4:9]]).
Prophetic books often use hunger as a metaphor for divine judgment or as a promise of future blessing. Isaiah 8:21 describes a people distressed and *hungry*, cursing their king and God, illustrating the despair brought by famine. Conversely, Isaiah 49:10 promises a future where the restored people "shall not *hunger* or thirst," signifying a time of divine favor and abundant provision. Psalm 107:9 beautifully captures God's character as one who "satisfies the longing soul, and fills the *hungry* soul with goodness," portraying His benevolent response to human need. Even God Himself, in a rhetorical question in Psalm 50:12, asserts His self-sufficiency: "If I were *hungry*, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine." This emphasizes God's transcendence above human limitations.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the noun H7457 (רָעָב, *ra'ab*), which means "hunger" or "famine." This noun frequently accompanies the verb H7456 or describes the condition that causes the hunger. For instance, Amos 8:11 speaks of a coming "famine" (*ra'ab*) not of bread or water, but of hearing the words of the Lord, demonstrating a profound metaphorical extension of the concept of hunger to spiritual longing, even though H7456 itself typically refers to physical hunger.
Other related concepts include:
* **Provision:** Words like H3899 (לֶחֶם, *leḥem*, "bread, food") and H3978 (מַן, *man*, "manna") are frequently found in contexts where hunger is addressed by divine provision.
* **Thirst:** Often paired with hunger, as in "hunger and thirst," signifying complete deprivation of basic necessities (e.g., [[Isaiah 49:10]]). The Hebrew word for thirst is H6770 (צָמֵא, *tsame'*) or its related noun H6772 (צָמָא, *tsama'*).
* **Satisfaction/Fullness:** The antonym to hunger is often expressed by H7646 (שָׂבַע, *śāḇaʿ*), "to be satisfied, to be full." This contrast highlights God's ability to move His people from a state of hunger to one of abundance.
### Theological Significance
The concept of H7456 (to hunger) carries profound theological significance in the Old Testament:
1. **Human Dependence:** Hunger underscores humanity's inherent vulnerability and absolute dependence on God for sustenance. It is a stark reminder that life itself is a gift, not an inherent right, and that human efforts alone are insufficient to guarantee survival.
2. **God's Sovereignty and Provision:** God is consistently portrayed as the ultimate source of all provision. He controls the elements that bring forth food (rain, fertile land) and can both withhold them (causing famine as judgment) or provide miraculously (manna, quails). His ability to satisfy the hungry demonstrates His power, faithfulness, and compassion.
3. **Divine Discipline and Testing:** Famine and hunger are often depicted as instruments of divine discipline or judgment for disobedience to the covenant ([[Deuteronomy 28:48]]). Conversely, allowing Israel to hunger in the wilderness was a pedagogical act, designed to test their faith and teach them that "man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord" ([[Deuteronomy 8:3]]).
4. **Spiritual Analogy:** While H7456 primarily denotes physical hunger, the biblical narrative often uses this physical reality to point to a deeper spiritual truth. The desperate need for physical food becomes an analogy for the human soul's longing for God's word, presence, and righteousness. The New Testament picks up this theme explicitly in Jesus's beatitude, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" ([[Matthew 5:6]]), drawing a direct parallel between physical and spiritual longing.
5. **Eschatological Hope:** The promise that God's people will "never again hunger or thirst" ([[Isaiah 49:10]]; also echoed in [[Revelation 7:16]]) points to an ultimate future where all human needs are met perfectly in God's presence, signifying the complete restoration and blessing of His kingdom.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb H7456 (רָעֵב, *râʻêb*) fundamentally means "to hunger" or "to famish," primarily referring to a physical craving for food. Its occurrences in the Old Testament vividly portray the human condition of vulnerability and dependence, especially during periods of famine, wilderness journeys, or siege. The experience of hunger serves multiple theological purposes: it highlights God's absolute sovereignty over creation and His role as the ultimate provider; it functions as a means of divine discipline for disobedience; and it acts as a test of faith, teaching reliance not merely on physical sustenance but on God's word. While predominantly physical, the concept of hunger lays the groundwork for later biblical themes of spiritual longing and the eschatological promise of complete satisfaction in God's presence.
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