Psalms 33:19 — Word Study
WLCלְהַצִּ֣יל מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם בָּרָעָֽב׃
BSAto delivernâtsal [rescue, snatch away] themnephesh from deathmâveth [the power of, physical or spiritual] and keep them alivechâyâh [preserve, maintain, living, having life] in faminerâʻâb [times of, hunger, lack of spiritual nourishment]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| לְהַצִּ֣יל | to deliver | Preposition, verb hiphil infinitive construct common |
| מִמָּ֣וֶת | from death | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| נַפְשָׁ֑ם | life their | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם | and to preserve alive them | Conjunction, preposition, verb piel infinitive construct common |
| בָּרָעָֽב׃ | in famine | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. |
| KJV | To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. |
| ASV | To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine. |
| YLT | To deliver from death their soul, And to keep them alive in famine. |
| WEB | to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine. |
| BBE | To keep their souls from death; and to keep them living in time of need. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of the verb נָצַל — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by 'and,' each detailing aspects of God's deliverance and preservation.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 33:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — God's Protection and Provisiongenerated
Psalm 33:19 highlights the Lord's watchful care over those who revere Him, assuring that He will deliver them from death and keep them alive during famine. This verse is part of a larger context that emphasizes trust in God's faithfulness, as seen in the preceding and following verses, which affirm His loving devotion and the hope placed in Him.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 91:3–7 | Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, and from the deadly plague. |
| 2 | John 10:28–30 | I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. |
| 3 | Psalm 37:3–19 | Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. |
| 4 | Job 5:19–22 | He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven. |
| 5 | Proverbs 10:3 | The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but He denies the craving of the wicked. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נָצַל, le.ha.Tzilgenerated
The Hebrew word נָצַל (natsal) is a hiphil infinitive construct meaning 'to deliver' or 'to rescue.' It is built from a primitive root that conveys the idea of snatching away from danger. This word appears frequently in the Bible, often in contexts of divine intervention where God rescues His people from peril.
The passive aspect of this word suggests that the act of deliverance is performed by an agent, which in this case is God. The psalmist emphasizes God's role as the one who saves from death, highlighting the divine nature of the rescue.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is הַצִּ֣יל, to deliver, which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by a prepositional phrase indicating the source of deliverance, מִמָּ֣וֶת, from death, and a noun phrase that serves as the object, נַפְשָׁ֑ם, their life, indicating what is being delivered.
The structure emphasizes the action of delivering as the core focus, with additional phrases elaborating on the conditions of deliverance and preservation during famine.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נָצַל as ῥύσασθαι (rhysasthai), meaning 'to rescue.' This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning, reinforcing the idea of divine intervention in saving from death.
The use of λιμῷ (limō) for famine suggests a direct correlation to the Hebrew term, indicating a shared understanding of the severity of hunger and need.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 33:19 assures that God will rescue His people from death and keep them alive during famine. This verse emphasizes God's protection and provision for those who trust in Him.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Being delivered from death refers to God's ability to save individuals from physical death or spiritual separation from Him, ensuring their continued existence and relationship with Him.
God keeps people alive in famine by providing for their needs, whether through miraculous means or by guiding them to resources, demonstrating His faithfulness and care.
The word 'soul' signifies the essence of a person, indicating that God's deliverance encompasses both physical life and spiritual vitality.
This verse connects with themes of trust in God's provision seen throughout the Bible, such as in Psalm 91:3–7 and Job 5:19–22, where God is portrayed as a protector and sustainer.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's deliverance in my life?
- How can I trust God to provide for my needs during difficult times?
- What does it mean for me to have spiritual nourishment, and how can I seek it?
- How can I help others who are struggling with physical or spiritual hunger?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early church fathers referenced this verse to discuss God's deliverance and nourishment for His people, emphasizing the spiritual implications of the text.
"To deliver their souls from death, and to keep them alive in famine" [Psalms 33:19].Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
Those who fear him, those who hope for his mercy, he saves from spiritual death and nourishes in a spiritual way, that they may also say, “Let your mercy be on us, Lord, as we have hoped in you.”Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
These are the two prayers of the most faithful Christian: to be rescued from eternal death at the coming judgment and to spend time here with spiritual nourishment.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 33 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 33:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo deliver their soul from death,.... Not a corporeal death, for the soul dies not, and is never in any danger of death; and should life, or the whole man, be intended here, yet those that fear the
Read John Gill on Psalms 33 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryTo deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. To deliver ... death.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 33 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleTheir soul, i.e. their life, when he sees it to be expedient for them: sometimes it is better for them to die than to live, as both good and bad men have declared; and when it is so, it is known to God, but not to us. And therefore the constant accomplishment of this and the like promises in a literal sense is not to be expected, nor simply desired, but with submission to God’ s wise and gracious will.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 33 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 33:19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.Ver. 19. To deliver their soul] Freedom from troubles he promiseth not; but deliverance in due time he assureth them; and support in the mean while, to keep them alive in famine.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 19. To deliver their soul frown death] To watch over and protect them in all sudden dangers and emergencies, so that they shall not lose their LIVES by any accident. And to keep them alive in famine.] Not only prevent sudden death by an instantaneous interposition of my power, but keep them from a lingering death, by extraordinary supplies granted them in an extraordinary manner; because I am all in all, and all everywhere.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 33 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. death] Violent death by war or pestilence is meant, as the parallel line shews. Famine was a common scourge in Palestine (Psalms 37:19).
Read Cambridge on Psalms 33 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleTo deliver their soul from death - To preserve their “lives,” - for so the word “soul” is to be understood here. The meaning is, to keep them alive. That is, God is their Protector; He guards and defends them when in danger.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 33 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible18, 19. If no enlargement or concentration of human forces can be trusted for victory and safety, yet there is one resource unfailing—the God of hosts, the God of battles, Jehovah, the covenant God.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Psalms 33 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
to deliver their soul from death, to keep them alive in famine.
to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.
by saving their lives from death and sustaining them during times of famine.
Tyndale line
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
To deliuer their soules from death, and to preserue them in famine.
Strictly literal
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver from death their soul, And to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver their soul from death, || And to keep them alive in famine.
To deliver from death their soul, and to keep them alive in famine.
to deliver their lives from death and to keep them alive in times of famine.
From the Latin
The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a contrite heart: and he will save the humble of spirit.
Simplified
to save them from death and to keep them alive when famine strikes.
To keep their souls from death; and to keep them living in time of need.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Psalms 33:19 reads, 'to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine,' which is closely matched by the Septuagint, where all five words correspond directly, although the word order and articles differ due to the nature of Greek syntax. There are no significant differences between these two ancient witnesses for this verse, indicating a strong consistency in the text regarding the themes of deliverance from death and preservation during famine.
לְהַצִּ֣יל מִמָּ֣וֶת נַפְשָׁ֑ם וּ֝לְחַיּוֹתָ֗ם בָּרָעָֽב׃
5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 33:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word נָצַל (natsal) is built from a primitive root meaning to snatch away, with various usages across different stems. It covers a range of meanings including to rescue, deliver, plunder, and strip. The word appears in contexts of delivering oneself or being delivered, as well as rescuing from enemies or sin.
[נָצַל] 212 vb. not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver
Niph.
reflex. tear oneself away, deliver oneself
passive, be torn out or away
Pi.
strip off, spoil
deliver
Hiph.
take away, snatch away
rescue, recover
deliver from
deliver from sin and guilt
Hoph. as a brand plucked out of the burning
Hithp. and they stripped themselves of their ornaments.
base
H5337 נָצַל not in Qal; Pi. strip, plunder; Niph. deliver oneself, be delivered Hiph. snatch away, deliver
5337 natsal naw-tsal'
a primitive root; to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad
sense:- X at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, X without
fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save,
spoil, strip, X surely, take (out).
נָצַל (na.tsal) — to rescue.
1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder
1a)(Niphal)
1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself
1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to strip off, spoil
1b2) to deliver
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to take away, snatch away
1c2) to rescue, recover
1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death)
1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt
1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out
1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself
Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a — Preposition · verb hiphil infinitive construct commonHR/Vhcc
de-liv'-er (natsal, nathan; rhuomai, paradidomi): Occurs very frequently in the Old Testament and represents various Hebrew terms.
The English word is used in two senses,
(1) "to set free," etc.,
(2) "to give up or over."
(1) The word most often translated "deliver" in the first sense is natsal, meaning originally, perhaps, "to draw out." It is used of all kinds of deliverance (Ge 32:11; Ps 25:20; 143:9, etc.; Jer 7:10; Eze 3:19, etc.; Ze 1:18, etc.). The Aramaic netsal occurs in Da 3:29; 6:14; 8:4,7; yasha`, "to save," in Jud 3:9,31 the King James Version, etc. ; malaT…
מָ֫וֶת (maveth) means 'death' and encompasses various aspects such as natural or violent death, the state of being dead, and the realm of the dead (hades). It can also refer to pestilence or ruin. The word is derived from a root meaning 'to die' and has an Aramaic equivalent, מוֹת (mot).
מָ֫וֶת 161 n.m. death
death, opp. life
death by violence
state of death or place of death
base
H4194 מָ֫וֶת death
4194 maveth maw'-veth
from 4191; death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead,
their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence,
ruin:--(be) dead((-ly)), death, die(-d).
see HEBREW for 04191
מָ֫וֶת (ma.vet) — death.
1) death, dying, Death (personified), realm of the dead
1a) death
1b) death by violence (as a penalty)
1c) state of death, place of death
Aramaic equivalent: mot (מוֹת "death" H4193)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
(maweth; thanatos):
PHYSIOLOGICAL AND FIGURATIVE VIEW
The word "Death" is used in the sense of
(1) the process of dying (Ge 21:16);
(2) the period of decease (Ge 27:7);
(3) as a possible synonym for poison (2Ki 4:40);
(4) as descriptive of person in danger of perishing (Jud 15:18; "in deaths oft" 2Co 11:23). In this sense the shadow of death is a familiar expression in Job, the Psalms and the Prophets;
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: (1.) “The dust shall return to the earth as it was” (Eccl. 12:7).
(2.) “Thou takest away their breath, they die” (Ps. 104:29).
(3.) It is the dissolution of “our earthly house of this tabernacle” (2 Cor. 5:1); the “putting off this tabernacle” (2 Pet. 1:13, 14).
(4.) Being “unclothed” (2 Cor. 5:3, 4).
(5.) “Falling on sleep” (Ps. 76:5; Jer. 51:39;
Is taken in Scripture, first, for the separation of body and soul, the first death, Ge 25:11; secondly, for alienation from God, and exposure to his wrath, 1Jo 3:14, etc.; thirdly, for the second death, that of eternal damnation. Death was the penalty affixed to Adam’s transgression, Ge 2:17 3:19; and all his posterity are transgressors, and share the curse inflicted upon him. CHRIST is "our life." All believers share his life, spiritually and eternally; and though sin and bodily is taken away, and in the resurrection the last enemy shall be trampled under foot, Ro 5:12-21 1Co 15:1-58.
The Hebrew word נֶ֫פֶשׁ (*nephesh*) broadly means 'soul' or 'living being,' encompassing concepts like life, self, person, desire, and emotion. It is derived from the root meaning 'to breathe' and signifies both physical and mental aspects of existence. The lexicons note its use in various contexts, including as the seat of appetites and emotions, though its application to will and character is uncertain.
נֶ֫פֶשׁ 756 n.f. soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion
= that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
The נפשׁ becomes a living being
The נפשׁ is specif.
The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
נ׳ in D
base
H5315 נֶ֫פֶשׁ soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion . = that which breathes, the breathing substance or being
. The נפשׁ becomes a living being
. The נפשׁ is specif.
. The נפשׁ as the essential of man stands for the man himself
. נפשׁ = seat of the appetites, in all periods (46 t.)
. נ׳ = seat of emotions and passions
. נפשׁ is used occasionally for mental acts
. נפשׁ for acts of the will is dub.
. נפשׁ = character is still more dub.
. נ׳ in D
5315 nephesh neh'-fesh
from 5314; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of
(abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal,
accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental):--any,
appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, X dead(-ly), desire,
X (dis-)contented, X fish, ghost, + greedy, he, heart(-y),
(hath, X jeopardy of) life (X in jeopardy), lust, man, me,
mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-,
thy-)self, them (your)-selves, + slay, soul, + tablet, they,
thing, (X she) will, X would have it.
see HEBREW for 05314
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
1g1) uncertain
1h) activity of the will
1h1) uncertain
1i) activity of the character
1i1) uncertain
נֶ֫פֶשׁ (ne.phesh) — soul: life.
1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion
1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man
1b) living being
1c) living being (with life in the blood)
1d) the man himself, self, person or individual
1e) seat of the appetites
1f) seat of emotions and passions
1g) activity of mind
N-cs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp3mp
חָיָה (chayah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to live or have life, encompassing both literal and figurative senses. It includes various nuances such as reviving, preserving life, and restoring health. The entries detail its use in different stems, with Qal focusing on living and being quickened, while Piel and Hiphil emphasize giving life and reviving. No specific verse references are provided.
חָיָה 283 vb. live
Qal 203
live
be quickened, revive
Pi.
preserve alive, let live
give life
quicken, revive, refresh
Hiph.
preserve alive, let live
quicken, revive
base
H2421 חָיָה live .. live
. be quickened, revive
. . preserve alive, let live
. give life
. quicken, revive, refresh
. . preserve alive, let live
. quicken, revive
2421 chayah khaw-yaw'
a primitive root (compare 2331, 2421); to live, whether
literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:--keep
(leave, make) alive, X certainly, give (promise) life, (let,
suffer to) live, nourish up, preserve (alive), quicken,
recover, repair, restore (to life), revive, (X God) save
(alive, life, lives), X surely, be whole.
see HEBREW for 02331
see HEBREW for 02421
חָיָה (cha.yah) — to live.
1) to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to live
1a1a) to have life
1a1b) to continue in life, remain alive
1a1c) to sustain life, to live on or upon
1a1d) to live (prosperously)
1a2) to revive, be quickened
1a2a) from sickness
1a2b) from discouragement
1a2c) from faintness
1a2d) from death
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to preserve alive, let live
1b2) to give life
1b3) to quicken, revive, refresh
1b3a) to restore to life
1b3b) to cause to grow
1b3c) to restore
1b3d) to revive
1c) (Hiphil)
1c1) to preserve alive, let live
1c2) to quicken, revive
1c2a) to restore (to health)
1c2b) to revive
1c2c) to restore to life
Conj | Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · verb piel infinitive construct common · suffixHC/R/Vpcc/Sp3mp
רָעָב (ra`ab) refers to famine and hunger, indicating a lack of food that can affect individuals or entire nations. It is derived from the root meaning to be hungry, and it encompasses both literal and figurative uses, such as famine caused by divine judgment. The entries consistently emphasize its association with severe food scarcity.
רָעָב 101 n.m. famine, hunger
base
H7458 רָעָב famine, hunger
7458 ra`ab raw-awb'
from 7456; hunger (more or less extensive):--dearth,
famine, + famished, hunger.
see HEBREW for 07456
רָעָב (ra.av) — famine.
1) famine, hunger
1a) famine (in land, nation)
1a1) of Jehovah's word (fig)
1b) hunger (of individuals)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
fam'-in (ra`abh; limos):
1. Natural Causes
2. Famines Mentioned
3. Divine Relations
4. Figurative Uses
The common Old Testament word for "famine" is ra`abh; re`abhon also occurs (Ge 42:19,33; Ps 37:19), and kaphan (Job 5:22; 30:3), all meaning "hunger" and "famine"; in the New Testament the word is limos, meaning primarily "failure," "want of food."
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, 17). But the most remarkable of all was that which arose in Egypt in the days of Joseph, which lasted for seven years (Gen. 41-45).
Famines were sent as an effect of God’s anger against a guilty people (2 Kings 8:1, 2; Amos 8:11; Deut. 28:22-42; 2 Sam. 21:1; 2 Kings 6:25-28; 25:3;
In the whole of Syria and Arabia, the fruits of the earth must ever be dependent on rain; the watersheds having few large springs, and the small rivers not being sufficient for the irrigation of even the level lands. If therefore the heavy rains of November and December fail, the sustenance of the people is cut off in the parching drought of harvest-time, when the country is almost devoid of moisture. Egypt, again, owes all its fertility to its mighty river, whose annual rise inundates nearly the whole land. The causes of dearth and famine in Egypt are defective inundation, preceded, accompanied and followed by prevalent easterly and southerly winds. Famine is likewise a natural result in the East when caterpillars, locusts or other insects destroy the products of the earth. The first famine recorded in the Bible is that of Abraham after he had pitched his tent on the east of Bethel…
Scripture records several famines in Palestine, and the neighboring countries, Ge 12:10 26:1 Ru 1:1 2Ki 6:25 Ac 11:27. The most remarkable one was that of seven years in Egypt, while Joseph was governor, Ge 41:1-57. It was distinguished for its duration, extent, and severity; particularly as Egypt is one of the countries least subject to such a calamity, by reason of its general fertility. Famine is sometimes a natural effect, as when the Nile does not overflow in Egypt, or rains do not fall in Judea, at the customary season; or when caterpillars, locusts, or other insects, destroy the fruits. But all natural causes are…