Psalms 105:16
Psalms 105:16 in Multiple Translations
He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.
Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
And he called for a famine upon the land; He brake the whole staff of bread.
And he took away all food from the land, so that the people were without bread.
He caused a famine in the Land of Canaan so that there was no food.
Moreouer, he called a famine vpon ye land, and vtterly brake the staffe of bread.
And He calleth a famine on the land, The whole staff of bread He hath broken.
He called for a famine on the land. He destroyed the food supplies.
Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he broke the whole staff of bread.
And they provoked Moses in the camp, Aaron the holy one of the Lord.
He sent a famine to Canaan, and as a result all the people had no food to eat.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 105:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 105:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקְרָ֣א
רָ֭עָב
עַל
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
כָּֽל
מַטֵּה
לֶ֥חֶם
שָׁבָֽר
וַ/יִּקְרָ֣א
qârâʼ
H7121
to call
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
רָ֭עָב
râʻâb
H7458
famine
N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
כָּֽל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
מַטֵּה
maṭṭeh
H4294
tribe
N-ms
לֶ֥חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
שָׁבָֽר
shâbar
H7665
to break
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 105:16
וַ/יִּקְרָ֣א
qârâʼ
H7121
"to call"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to call out to someone or something, often by name. It's used in many situations, like calling for help or reading aloud. In Genesis, God calls out to Adam in the Garden.
Definition: : call_to/invite/entreat 1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound 1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God) 1a3) to proclaim 1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read 1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow 1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to call oneself 1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named 1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
Usage: Occurs in 689 OT verses. KJV: bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 49:1; Judges 1:26.
רָ֭עָב
râʻâb
H7458
"famine"
N-ms
Famine or hunger is what this Hebrew word represents, often referring to a lack of food or spiritual nourishment. It appears in books like Genesis and Jeremiah, highlighting the importance of trust in God during difficult times.
Definition: 1) famine, hunger 1a) famine (in land, nation) 1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig) 1b) hunger (of individuals)
Usage: Occurs in 88 OT verses. KJV: dearth, famine, [phrase] famished, hunger. See also: Genesis 12:10; Jeremiah 14:12; Psalms 33:19.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הָ/אָ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
כָּֽל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מַטֵּה
maṭṭeh
H4294
"tribe"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean a tribe, like the 12 tribes of Israel, or a staff, like the one Moses used to lead his people in Exodus 4:2.
Definition: : tribe 1) staff, branch, tribe 1a) staff, rod, shaft 1b) branch (of vine) 1c) tribe 1c1) company led by chief with staff (originally)
Usage: Occurs in 205 OT verses. KJV: rod, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 38:18; Numbers 34:19; Psalms 105:16.
לֶ֥חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
שָׁבָֽר
shâbar
H7665
"to break"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This word means to break or shatter something, either physically or emotionally. It can also mean to burst or rupture, and is often used to describe intense violence or destruction. In the Bible, it's translated as break or crush.
Definition: 1) to break, break in pieces 1a) (Qal) 1a1) break, break in or down, rend violently, wreck, crush, quench 1a2) to break, rupture (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be broken, be maimed, be crippled, be wrecked 1b2) to be broken, be crushed (fig) 1c) (Piel) to shatter, break 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to break out, bring to the birth 1e) (Hophal) to be broken, be shattered Aramaic equivalent: te.var (תְּבַר "to break" H8406)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: break (down, off, in pieces, up), broken (-hearted), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt, quench, [idiom] quite, tear, view (by mistake for H7663 (שָׂבַר)). See also: Genesis 19:9; Isaiah 27:11; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 105:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 105:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 105:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 105:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 105:16
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 105:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
- Sermons on Psalms 105:16
Context — Tell of His Wonders
14He let no man oppress them; He rebuked kings on their behalf:
15“Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!”
16He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food.
17He sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. 18They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 4:16 | Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. |
| 2 | Genesis 41:54 | the seven years of famine began, just as Joseph had said. And although there was famine in every country, there was food throughout the land of Egypt. |
| 3 | Isaiah 3:1 | For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water, |
| 4 | Leviticus 26:26 | When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole out your bread by weight, so that you will eat but not be satisfied. |
| 5 | Acts 7:11 | Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. |
| 6 | Psalms 104:15 | wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. |
| 7 | 2 Kings 8:1 | Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, you and your household; go and live as a foreigner wherever you can. For the LORD has decreed a seven-year famine, and it has already come to the land.” |
| 8 | Genesis 47:13 | There was no food, however, in all that region, because the famine was so severe; the lands of Egypt and Canaan had been exhausted by the famine. |
| 9 | Haggai 2:17 | I struck you—all the work of your hands—with blight, mildew, and hail, but you did not turn to Me, declares the LORD. |
| 10 | Genesis 42:5–6 | So the sons of Israel were among those who came to buy grain, since the famine had also spread to the land of Canaan. Now Joseph was the ruler of the land; he was the one who sold grain to all its people. So when his brothers arrived, they bowed down before him with their faces to the ground. |
Psalms 105:16 Summary
[This verse tells us that God has the power to provide or withhold food and supplies, and He sometimes uses famine as a form of judgment. As seen in Deuteronomy 8:3, God uses scarcity to teach us to rely on Him, not just on the things of this world. God's actions, even in judgment, are always motivated by a desire to draw people back to Himself, as we see in Romans 11:33-36, where His ways are beyond our understanding but always good. By trusting in God's sovereignty, we can have peace even in difficult times.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God call down famine on the land?
God called down famine on the land as a form of judgment, as seen in other parts of Scripture such as Deuteronomy 28:47-48, where disobedience leads to scarcity and famine. This action is a demonstration of God's sovereignty and control over the natural world.
What does it mean to 'cut off all their supplies of food'?
To cut off all their supplies of food means that God stopped the provision of food, leading to scarcity and hunger, much like in the story of Elijah where God withheld rain and caused a famine in Israel as a form of judgment, as recorded in 1 Kings 17:1.
Is this verse related to the story of Joseph in the Bible?
Yes, this verse seems to be setting the stage for the story of Joseph, as mentioned in the next verse, Psalms 105:17, where Joseph is sent to Egypt and plays a crucial role in providing for his family and the nations during a time of famine, similar to what is described in the book of Genesis 37-50.
How does this verse relate to God's protection of His people?
This verse can be seen in contrast to the protection God offered to His anointed ones and prophets in the preceding verse, Psalms 105:15, where He warns against touching or harming them, highlighting God's care for His people while also demonstrating His power and judgment over the nations, as seen in Isaiah 54:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that God provides for us even in times of scarcity, and how can we trust in His provision?
- How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's sovereignty and control over the world?
- In what ways can we see God's judgment and mercy working together in this verse, and what does this teach us about His character?
- What role does faith play in trusting God during times of famine or hardship, and how can we cultivate this kind of faith in our own lives?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 105:16
Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land,.... On the land of Egypt; or rather on the land of Canaan, where Jacob and his sons sojourned; and which reached to all lands, Genesis 41:56 and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 105:16
Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread. -The circumstances leading to the bringing of the heirs of the promise into Egypt.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
He called for, i.e. he effectually procured, as this word is used, ,5 56:7 . The whole staff of bread, i.e. bread, which is the staff or support of our animal lives. See .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
Psalms 105:16 Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.Ver. 16. Moreover he called for a famine] How easy is it with God soon to starve us all by denying us a harvest or two! If he do but call for a famine it is done. He brake the whole staff of bread] Either by withdrawing bread, that staff of man’ s life, or his blessing from it; for man liveth not by bread alone (or at all), but by every word, &c., Matthew 4:4, without which bread can no more nourish us than a clod of clay, In pane conclusus est quasi baculus, qui nos sustineat. See Haggai 1:6.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
(16) Called for a famine.—Comp. 2 Kings 8:1; and in Ezekiel 14 we see how famine, with war and pestilence and noisome beasts, were regarded as Divine emissaries to be summoned and sent on His missions. Staff of bread.—Leviticus 26:26. (See, too, Note on Psalms 104:15.)
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 105:16
16. And he called] So 2 Kings 8:1; Amos 5:8; Amos 7:4; Amos 9:6; Haggai 1:11. Observe the emphasis upon direct Divine agency in Psalms 105:16,
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 105:16
Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land - It was not by chance; not by the mere operation of physical laws, but it was because God “ordered” it.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 105:16
16. Famine—Recorded Genesis 41:54-57. Staff of bread—That is, support of bread, their reliance for sustentation. This famine extended over Arabia, Palestine, Syria, and the surrounding nations.
Sermons on Psalms 105:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Our Man in Egypt by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Joseph from the Bible and draws practical lessons from his life. Joseph was pampered by his father and separated from his brothe |
|
Passing Through the Gates of Betrayal by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding that God is in control of everything that happens in our lives. He uses the story of Joseph from the book of |
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(Genesis) Genesis 39:11-40:23 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the sorrows and challenges of life, particularly for boys who bring sorrow to their mothers. However, the speaker believes that there is ano |
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Judah's Plea by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith takes us through the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. He emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins and not allowing unconfessed sin |
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(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 1-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher describes a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had of four living creatures. These creatures had the appearance of a man but each had four faces and four |
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Hearing God Speak by Lou Sutera | In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the past four Sundays and the creative energy that has been released. He specifically focuses on a message he preached on fear and worry bo |
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Marriage and the Gospel by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a holistic life that encompasses the intellect, soul, and body. He encourages listeners to use their God-given abili |