Tehillim 105:16

16 Moreover He called for a ra’av (famine) upon ha’aretz; He broke the kol matteh (whole staff of, all supply of) lechem.

Tehillim 105:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 105:16

Moreover, he called for a famine upon the land
On the land of Egypt; or rather on the land of Canaan, where Jacob and his sons sojourned; and which reached to all lands, ( Genesis 41:56 Genesis 41:57 ) ( 42:5 ) and calling for it, it came, being a servant at the command of the Lord; see ( 2 Kings 8:1 ) ( Haggai 1:11 ) .

He brake the whole staff of bread;
so called, because it is the support of man's life, the principal of his sustenance: as a staff is a support to a feeble person, and which, when broke, ceases to be so. The staff of bread is broken, when either the virtue and efficacy of it for nourishment is taken away or denied; or when there is a scarcity of bread corn; which latter seems to be intended here; see ( Isaiah 3:1 ) ( Leviticus 26:26 ) .

Tehillim 105:16 In-Context

14 He permitted no adam to oppress them; and He reproved melachim for their sakes;

15 Saying, Touch not Mine meshichim (anointed ones, My Messianics), and do My nevi’im no harm.

16 Moreover He called for a ra’av (famine) upon ha’aretz; He broke the kol matteh (whole staff of, all supply of) lechem.

17 He sent an ish before them, even Yosef, who was sold as an eved (slave);

18 Whose regel they hurt with the kevel (shackle); his nefesh was laid in barzel;