And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed. In consequence of the close and protracted blockade, the inhabitants were reduced to dreadful extremities; and, under the maddening influence of hunger, the most inhuman atrocities were perpetrated (Lamentations 2:20; Lamentations 2:22; Lamentations 4:9-10; Ezekiel 5:10). This was a fulfillment of the prophetic denunciations threatened on the apostasy of the chosen people (Leviticus 26:29; Deuteronomy 28:53-57; Jeremiah 15:2; Jeremiah 27:13; Ezekiel 4:16).