Bible Dictionary
Dearth
Dearth is a serious scarcity of food or provisions, usually caused by famine. Scripture records dearths during the periods of the patriarchs, judges, kings, and the early church.
Definition
Dearth is a scarcity of provisions, especially a famine affecting a region or people. Scripture records such shortages during the periods of the patriarchs, the judges, the kings, and the early church.
Biblical Usage
The Bible records famine in the days of Abram and Jacob, during the time of the judges and kings, and in the period of the early church. An extensive famine occurred in Palestine during the reign of Claudius.
Historical Background
Dearths occurred frequently in Palestine. The famine mentioned in Acts is dated to the fourth year of Claudius, about A.D. 44–45.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A scarcity of provisions (1 Kings 17). There were frequent dearths in Palestine. In the days of Abram there was a “famine in the land” (Gen. 12:10), so also in the days of Jacob (47:4, 13). We read also of dearths in the time of the judges (Ruth 1:1), and of the kings (2 Sam. 21:1; 1 Kings 18:2; 2 Kings 4:38; 8:1). In New Testament times there was an extensive famine in Palestine (Acts 11:28) in the fourth year of the reign of the emperor Claudius (A.D. 44 and 45).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
[Famine]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>durth. See FAMINE.</p>