Bible Dictionary
Dove’s dung
Dove’s dung was a scarce and expensive substance mentioned during the famine of Samaria’s siege. The expression may be literal, though some interpret it as the name of a cheap plant or seed used as food.
Definition
“Dove’s dung” is a difficult expression in the account of Samaria’s famine. It has generally been understood literally, but the name was also applied by Arabs to various vegetable substances that might have been eaten in scarcity.
Biblical Usage
In 2 Kings 6:25, dove’s dung is listed as an expensive commodity during the famine caused by the siege of Samaria.
Historical Background
Proposed meanings include pigeon dung, seeds of a kind of millet, an inferior pulse, and the bulbous root of the star-of-Bethlehem. The supplied material records examples of dung being used as food during famine.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(2 Kings 6:25) has been generally understood literally. There are instances in history of the dung of pigeons being actually used as food during a famine. Compare also the language of Rabshakeh to the Jews (2 Kings 18:27; Isa. 36:12). This name, however, is applied by the Arabs to different vegetable substances, and there is room for the opinion of those who think that some such substance is here referred to, as, e.g., the seeds of a kind of millet, or a very inferior kind of pulse, or the root of the ornithogalum, i.e., bird-milk, the star-of-Bethlehem.