Psalms 105:16
Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְרָ֣א
Moreover he called
H7121
וַיִּקְרָ֣א
Moreover he called
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 8
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַטֵּה
the whole staff
H4294
מַטֵּה
the whole staff
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
6 of 8
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
Cross References
Ezekiel 4:16Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, behold, I will break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with care; and they shall drink water by measure, and with astonishment:Isaiah 3:1For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,Genesis 41:54And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.Leviticus 26:26And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.Acts 7:11Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.Psalms 104:15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.2 Kings 8:1Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn: for the LORD hath called for a famine; and it shall also come upon the land seven years.
Historical Context
The famine mentioned in Genesis 41-42 affected the entire region, driving Jacob's family to Egypt where Joseph had prepared abundant grain. This famine was part of God's plan to bring Israel to Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you trust God's sovereignty when He permits or sends difficulty into your life?
- What does Christ as the bread of life mean when you face material lack or hardship?
Analysis & Commentary
God 'called for a famine upon the land' and 'brake the whole staff of bread.' This demonstrates God's sovereignty even over disasters. Famine wasn't random but divinely appointed to accomplish His purposes. 'Staff of bread' (matteh lechem) refers to bread as life's support. Breaking it means removing sustenance entirely. This severe famine drove Jacob's family to Egypt, setting up the Exodus. God uses even hardship to fulfill His plans. Christ is the bread of life (John 6:35) who sustains believers spiritually even when physical provision fails.