### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **rᵉʻâbôwn**, represented by `{{H7459}}`, means **famine**. Derived from a root word for hunger, it appears only **3 times** in **3 unique verses**. The term specifically denotes a period of severe scarcity of food, a crisis that affects households and nations alike.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{H7459}}` describes both a literal event and a spiritual condition. It is used twice in Genesis to describe the severe food shortage that drove Jacob's sons to Egypt. Joseph instructs them to take **corn** for the **famine** of their **houses** [[Genesis 42:19]]. This is reinforced when Joseph, as the **lord** `{{H113}}` of the **country** `{{H776}}`, again provides for the **famine** of their **households** `{{H1004}}` to test their character [[Genesis 42:33]]. In Psalms, the word is used to frame a divine promise: in the "days of **famine**," the righteous will be **satisfied** `{{H7646}}`, contrasting human hardship with God's provision [[Psalms 37:19]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help define the context and consequences of **famine**:
* `{{H7668}}` **sheber** (corn, victuals): This refers to the grain or food that is the direct remedy for **famine**. It is the practical provision Joseph's brothers seek for their families [[Genesis 42:19]].
* `{{H1004}}` **bayith** (house, family): This word underscores that **famine** is a crisis that strikes at the core of the family unit, threatening the survival of the **household** ([[Genesis 42:19]], [[Genesis 42:33]]).
* `{{H7646}}` **sâbaʻ** (to be satisfied): This term for fulfillment stands in direct opposition to **famine**. It represents God's promise to fully provide for His people, even in times of lack [[Psalms 37:19]].
* `{{H7451}}` **raʻ** (evil, affliction): This word connects **famine** to a broader "evil time" of distress and calamity, establishing it as a significant trial from which God delivers the faithful [[Psalms 37:19]].
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H7459}}` is centered on God's sovereignty and faithfulness during times of crisis.
* **Divine Provision:** The promise that the righteous will be **satisfied** `{{H7646}}` during a **famine** highlights a core theme: God's ability to sustain His people transcends natural circumstances [[Psalms 37:19]].
* **Instrument of God's Plan:** In Genesis, the **famine** serves as the catalyst for reuniting and testing the family of Jacob, ultimately positioning them in Egypt to fulfill a larger divine purpose ([[Genesis 42:19]], [[Genesis 42:33]]).
* **A Test of Faith:** The experience of **famine** creates a setting where trust in God is essential. It is a trial that separates those who rely on worldly circumstances from those who trust in God's promise of deliverance.
### Summary
In summary, **rᵉʻâbôwn** `{{H7459}}` is a concise but potent term for **famine**. While its occurrences are few, they powerfully illustrate the reality of physical hardship and the theological truth of God's unwavering provision. From the family-level crisis in Genesis to the promise of satisfaction in Psalms, the word frames scarcity as an opportunity to witness God's power to sustain and deliver His people.
TRV