What does 2 Kings 25:3 mean?

"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." - 2 Kings 25:3

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."

The Bible verse 2 Kings 25:3 in the King James Version (KJV) reads, "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." This verse comes from the book of 2 Kings, which is part of the Old Testament and provides a historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah.

In order to fully understand the meaning and context of this verse, it is important to look at the events leading up to this moment. In the preceding chapters, the kingdom of Judah is under siege by the Babylonian army, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. The city of Jerusalem is surrounded, and the people are suffering from famine and distress. This verse serves as a reminder of the dire situation that the people of Judah were facing during this time.

The mention of the "ninth day of the fourth month" in the verse carries symbolic significance. In Jewish tradition, the ninth day of the fourth month corresponds to the date when the city of Jerusalem was breached by the Babylonian army, leading to the destruction of the temple and the exile of the Jewish people. This day is commemorated as a day of mourning and fasting, known as Tisha B'Av. The mention of this specific date in the verse serves as a reminder of the tragic events that unfolded on that day.

The verse also highlights the severity of the famine that had befallen the city, emphasizing that there was "no bread for the people of the land." This serves as a powerful depiction of the suffering and desperation experienced by the inhabitants of Jerusalem during the siege. The scarcity of food and basic necessities would have resulted in immense hardship and despair, further adding to the tragedy of the situation.

From a thematic perspective, this verse resonates with the themes of judgment, suffering, and the consequences of disobedience. Throughout the Old Testament, the concept of divine judgment is a recurring theme, particularly in relation to the people of Israel and their adherence to God's laws. The siege and subsequent famine experienced by the people of Judah are portrayed as a consequence of their disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. This serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of remaining faithful and obedient to God's commandments.

Symbolically, the famine mentioned in the verse can also be interpreted as a representation of spiritual hunger and deprivation. The lack of physical sustenance experienced by the people of Judah mirrors their spiritual destitution and the absence of a close relationship with God. This further underscores the themes of repentance and restoration, emphasizing the need for reconciliation and renewal of faith.

In conclusion, 2 Kings 25:3 in the King James Version offers a poignant portrayal of the suffering and despair experienced by the people of Judah during the siege of Jerusalem. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for spiritual renewal. The verse also holds symbolic significance in relation to the date of Tisha B'Av and the themes of divine judgment and spiritual deprivation. Overall, it offers a powerful reflection on the enduring importance of faith and obedience to God's commandments.

2 Kings 25:3 Artwork

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."

2 Kings 25:1 show King Nebuchadnezzar in war zone

2 Kings 25:1 show King Nebuchadnezzar and the army and the Temple

Proverbs 25:3 - "The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable."

2 Kings 25:2 - "And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah."

2 Kings 3:15

Jehoiachin is released from Babylonian jail 2 kings 25: 27

Jeremiah 25:25 - "And all the kings of Zimri, and all the kings of Elam, and all the kings of the Medes,"

2 Kings 21:25 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amon which he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"

1 Kings 3:25 - "And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other."

2 Kings 25:28 - "And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon;"

2 Kings 25:12 - "But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen."

2 Kings 2:25 - "And he went from thence to mount Carmel, and from thence he returned to Samaria."

Proverbs 25:2 - "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter."

2 Kings 25:20 - "And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:"

2 Kings 25:14 - "And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away."

2 Kings 25:15 - "And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away."

2 Kings 25:6 - "So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him."

2 Chronicles 25:26 - "Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah, first and last, behold, are they not written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel?"

1 Kings 2:25 - "And king Solomon sent by the hand of Benaiah the son of Jehoiada; and he fell upon him that he died."

2 Kings 25:18 - "¶ And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:"

2 Kings 25:10 - "And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about."

2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"

2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."

2 Kings 25:26 - "And all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the armies, arose, and came to Egypt: for they were afraid of the Chaldees."

2 Kings 25:30 - "And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life."

Jeremiah 25:22 - "And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea,"

2 Kings 25:21 - "And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land."