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λιμός

limós

G3042 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A condition of lacking food or suffering from extreme shortage of food; specifically, a period or event marked by widespread hunger or famine. The word primarily denotes a famine, whether caused by natural disaster, war, or other circumstances, but can also refer in a general sense to persistent hunger.

Semantic Range

famine, chronic hunger, widespread food shortage, individual hunger, period of scarcity, dearth

Root / Etymology

λιμός is likely related to the verb λείπω (“to leave, abandon”), with the underlying sense of lacking or being deprived. The formation is by derivational morphology, possibly denoting 'what is left out' or 'absence,' emphasizing the state of deprivation. The precise origin remains somewhat uncertain but is standard in classical and Koine Greek.

Historical & Contextual Notes

λιμός is attested in classical Greek as early as Homer, where it refers both to individual hunger and to major famines affecting communities. In the Septuagint, λιμός commonly renders Hebrew רָעָב (raʿav), especially in narrative contexts describing extended periods of food shortage. In the New Testament, λιμός refers both to literal famines predicted or experienced (e.g., Acts 11:28, Revelation 6:8), and to the general condition of not having enough to eat. Occasionally, 'dearth' appears in older English translations, but 'famine' and 'hunger' are more precise. The term does not denote metaphorical or spiritual lack, except by extension in rare contexts. In secular Koine, λιμός retains the concrete sense of physical deprivation rather than an abstract or metaphoric usage. Contrasts with πεινάω (to be hungry), which more commonly describes the action or experience of hunger in individuals rather than social or environmental circumstances.

Translation Consistency

primary "famine" 12 occurrences

The SILEX definition and the P2 data show the primary sense is a widespread, chronic shortage of food; most occurrences are rendered “famine.” “Famine” is the most natural, specific English term for limós (as opposed to the more general/individual “hunger”), so it best preserves the typical usage.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably from λείπω (through the idea of destitution); a scarcity of food:--dearth, famine, hunger.

Root Family

λιμός (limos) — lack, deprivation, hunger, famine

Root λιμ- lack, deprivation

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3042-04 λιμὸς limos N NOM M SG famine famine famine 5
G3042-01 λιμῷ limo N DAT M SG famine in famine in famine 3
G3042-02 λιμοὶ limoi N NOM M PL famines famines famines 3
G3042-03 λιμὸν limon N ACC F SG famine famine famine 1

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3042-02 Matthew 24:7 λιμοὶ limoi N NOM M PL famines famines famines
G3042-02 Mark 13:8 λιμοί limoi N NOM M PL famines famines famines
G3042-04 Luke 4:25 λιμὸς limos N NOM M SG famine famine famine
G3042-04 Luke 15:14 λιμὸς limos N NOM F SG famine famine famine
G3042-01 Luke 15:17 λιμῷ limo N DAT M SG with hunger in famine in famine
G3042-02 Luke 21:11 λιμοὶ limoi N NOM M PL famines famines famines
G3042-04 Acts 7:11 λιμὸς limos N NOM M SG famine famine famine
G3042-03 Acts 11:28 λιμὸν limon N ACC F SG famine famine famine
G3042-04 Romans 8:35 λιμὸς limos N NOM M SG famine famine famine
G3042-01 2 Corinthians 11:27 λιμῷ limo N DAT M SG hunger in famine in famine
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