HUNGER. This word and the word “famine” are both used by KJV and modern trs. to represent the Heb. word רָעָב, H8280. The difficulty that arises in tr. is due to the fact that Heb. does not possess two words, as does Eng., to distinguish between hunger of the individual and famine, i.e. acute and general lack of food. The word רָעָב, H8280, must suffice for both meanings. It is not always clear in a given context which is meant. In a few contexts individual hunger is meant, e.g. Deuteronomy 28:48, or Jeremiah in the cistern (Jer 38:9). However, the great majority of the uses of the word refer to a general and acute lack of food, i.e. famine. The Heb. verb רָעֵב֒, H8279, “to be hungry, to hunger” is more often used of the individual (Prov 19:15), but it also can be used to mean “to have famine” (Gen 41:55). (See also Food.)