This verse from Jeremiah 52:6 describes a dire situation in Jerusalem during a siege. Let's break it down:
"In the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month..." This gives a specific timeframe. The fourth month in the Hebrew calendar is Tammuz, which corresponds to roughly June-July in the Gregorian calendar. This level of detail emphasizes the historical context and the specificity of the event.
"...the famine was severe in the city..." This is the key point. A famine is a widespread scarcity of food. The word "severe" intensifies the meaning; the famine wasn't just present, it was causing great suffering.
"...so that there was no bread for the people of the land." This illustrates the extent of the famine. Bread was a staple food in ancient Israel, and its absence meant people were starving. "The people of the land" likely refers to the general population of Jerusalem, emphasizing that the famine was affecting everyone, not just a small group.
In essence, the verse portrays a devastating famine in Jerusalem during a siege, indicating that the city was cut off from outside supplies, and the population was suffering from a lack of even the most basic food.
Historical Context:
Jeremiah 52 describes the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. A siege often involves surrounding a city to prevent supplies from entering, eventually forcing surrender due to starvation. This verse highlights the terrible conditions within Jerusalem as the siege progressed, leading to the city's eventual capture and destruction.
This verse from Jeremiah 52:6 describes a dire situation in Jerusalem during a siege. Let's break it down:
"In the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month..." This gives a specific timeframe. The fourth month in the Hebrew calendar is Tammuz, which corresponds to roughly June-July in the Gregorian calendar. This level of detail emphasizes the historical context and the specificity of the event.
"...the famine was severe in the city..." This is the key point. A famine is a widespread scarcity of food. The word "severe" intensifies the meaning; the famine wasn't just present, it was causing great suffering.
"...so that there was no bread for the people of the land." This illustrates the extent of the famine. Bread was a staple food in ancient Israel, and its absence meant people were starving. "The people of the land" likely refers to the general population of Jerusalem, emphasizing that the famine was affecting everyone, not just a small group.
In essence, the verse portrays a devastating famine in Jerusalem during a siege, indicating that the city was cut off from outside supplies, and the population was suffering from a lack of even the most basic food.
Historical Context:
Jeremiah 52 describes the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. A siege often involves surrounding a city to prevent supplies from entering, eventually forcing surrender due to starvation. This verse highlights the terrible conditions within Jerusalem as the siege progressed, leading to the city's eventual capture and destruction.