The state of being without food, whether by necessity or choice. Jesus uses this adjective to describe the crowds following Him in the wilderness—'they are hungry' (Matthew 15:32, Mark 8:3)—expressing His compassion for their physical need. The classical range includes both voluntary fasting and involuntary hunger, but the Gospel context emphasizes the latter: these people have remained with Jesus, exhausting their provisions, and now face the danger of collapsing from lack of food.