Famine
The first mentioned in Scripture was so grievous as to compel Abraham to go down to the land of Egypt (Gen 26:1). Another is mentioned as having occurred in the days of Isaac, causing him to go to Gerar (Gen 26:1, Gen 26:17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years (Gen 41:1–57-45).
Famines were sent as an effect of God’s anger against a guilty people (2 Kgs 8:1, 2 Kgs 8:2; Amos 8:11; Deut 28:22–42; 2 Sam 21:1; 2 Kgs 6:25–28; 2 Kgs 25:3; Jer 14:15; Jer 19:9; Jer 42:17, etc.). A famine was predicted by Agabus (Acts 11:28). Josephus makes mention of the famine which occurred A.D. 45. Helena, queen of Adiabene, being at Jerusalem at that time, procured corn from Alexandria and figs from Cyprus for its poor inhabitants.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
