famine. One of the thirteen recorded in Scripture. See note on Genesis 12:10.
ass's head. This was unclean food.
Pieces. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis (App-6), "shekels" instead of "pieces".
cab. Only occurrence. See App-51.
dove's dung.. Euphemism (App-6) is included in official Massoretic lists as being substituted for this indelicate expression, the word meaning "decayed leaves". Whichever is the meaning, it was always highly valuable as manure, especially to force growth during dearth.