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Joel 1

BSB·20 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is the word of the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → cameהָיָ֔הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Joelיוֹאֵ֖לyō·w·’êl — Yahweh is GodH3100 — Full Word Study → sonבֶּן־ben- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Pethuelפְּתוּאֵֽל׃pə·ṯū·’êl — God opens or God deliversH6602 — Full Word Study →: 2Hearשִׁמְעוּ־šim·‘ū- — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → thisזֹאת֙zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study →, O eldersהַזְּקֵנִ֔יםhaz·zə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study →; and give earוְהַֽאֲזִ֔ינוּwə·ha·’ă·zî·nū — to listen, give ear, hear attentivelyH238 — Full Word Study →, allכֹּ֖לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → who dwellיוֹשְׁבֵ֣יyō·wō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in the landהָאָ֑רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →. Has anything like thisזֹּאת֙zōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → ever happenedהֶהָ֤יְתָהhe·hā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → in your daysבִּֽימֵיכֶ֔םbî·mê·ḵem — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → orוְאִ֖םwə·’im — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → in the daysבִּימֵ֥יbî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of your fathersאֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃’ă·ḇō·ṯê·ḵem — H1 — Full Word Study →? 3Tellסַפֵּ֑רוּsap·pê·rū — To count, record, or declareH5608 — Full Word Study → itעָלֶ֖יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → to your childrenלִבְנֵיכֶ֣םliḇ·nê·ḵem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →; let your childrenוּבְנֵיכֶם֙ū·ḇə·nê·ḵem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → tell it to their childrenלִבְנֵיהֶ֔םliḇ·nê·hem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, and their childrenוּבְנֵיהֶ֖םū·ḇə·nê·hem — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → to the nextאַחֵֽר׃’a·ḥêr — another, different, or following person or thingH312 — Full Word Study → generationלְד֥וֹרlə·ḏō·wr — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →. 4What the devouring locustהַגָּזָם֙hag·gā·zām — locust, particularly the palmer-worm or devouring locustH1501 — Full Word Study → has leftיֶ֤תֶרye·ṯer — remainder, excess, superiorityH3499 — Full Word Study →, the swarming locustהָֽאַרְבֶּ֔הhā·’ar·beh — Locust; swarming insect plagueH697 — Full Word Study → has eatenאָכַ֣ל’ā·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →; what the swarming locustהָאַרְבֶּ֖הhā·’ar·beh — Locust; swarming insect plagueH697 — Full Word Study → has leftוְיֶ֥תֶרwə·ye·ṯer — remainder, excess, superiorityH3499 — Full Word Study →, the young locustהַיָּ֑לֶקhay·yā·leq — locust, caterpillar, or devouring insectH3218 — Full Word Study → has eatenאָכַ֣ל’ā·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →; and what the young locustהַיֶּ֔לֶקhay·ye·leq — locust, caterpillar, or devouring insectH3218 — Full Word Study → has leftוְיֶ֣תֶרwə·ye·ṯer — remainder, excess, superiorityH3499 — Full Word Study →, the destroying locustהֶחָסִֽיל׃he·ḥā·sîl — locust; devouring insect plagueH2625 — Full Word Study → has eatenאָכַ֖ל’ā·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →. 5Wake upהָקִ֤יצוּhā·qî·ṣū — to awake, arise from sleep or inactivityH6974 — Full Word Study →, you drunkardsשִׁכּוֹרִים֙šik·kō·w·rîm — drunk; intoxicated; drunken personH7910 — Full Word Study →, and weepוּבְכ֔וּū·ḇə·ḵū — to weep, cry, shed tearsH1058 — Full Word Study →; wailוְהֵילִ֖לוּwə·hê·li·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you drinkersשֹׁ֣תֵיšō·ṯê — to drink; consume liquidH8354 — Full Word Study → of wineיָ֑יִןyā·yin — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study →, because ofעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the sweet wineעָסִ֕יס‘ā·sîs — Sweet wine or fresh grape juiceH6071 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it has been cut offנִכְרַ֖תniḵ·raṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → from your mouthמִפִּיכֶֽם׃mip·pî·ḵem — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study →. 6Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a nationגוֹי֙ḡō·w — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study → has invadedעָלָ֣ה‘ā·lāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → My landאַרְצִ֔י’ar·ṣî — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, powerfulעָצ֖וּם‘ā·ṣūm — Mighty, strong, powerfulH6099 — Full Word Study → and withoutוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → numberמִסְפָּ֑רmis·pār — number, count, enumerationH4557 — Full Word Study →; its teethשִׁנָּיו֙šin·nāw — Tooth; ivory; sharp edge; cragH8127 — Full Word Study → are the teeth of a lionאַרְיֵ֔ה’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study →, and its fangs are the fangs of a lionessלָבִ֖יאlā·ḇî — Lion; symbol of strength and ferocityH3833 — Full Word Study →. 7It has laidשָׂ֤םśām — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → wasteלְשַׁמָּ֔הlə·šam·māh — desolation, horror, ruin, devastationH8047 — Full Word Study → My grapevineגַּפְנִי֙gap̄·nî — grapevine; vine plantH1612 — Full Word Study → and splinteredלִקְצָפָ֑הliq·ṣā·p̄āh — bark, harsh cry, growlH7111 — Full Word Study → My fig treeוּתְאֵנָתִ֖יū·ṯə·’ê·nā·ṯî — Fig tree; fig fruitH8384 — Full Word Study →. It has stripped off the barkחָשֹׂ֤ףḥā·śōp̄ — to uncover, expose, lay bareH2834 — Full Word Study → and thrown it awayוְהִשְׁלִ֔יךְwə·hiš·lîḵ — to throw, cast, or hurlH7993 — Full Word Study →; the branchesשָׂרִיגֶֽיהָ׃śā·rî·ḡe·hā — Tendril or branch of a vineH8299 — Full Word Study → have turned whiteהִלְבִּ֖ינוּhil·bî·nū — to be white; to make bricksH3835 — Full Word Study →. 8Wailאֱלִ֕י’ĕ·lî — to wail, lament, cry out in mourningH421 — Full Word Study → like a virginכִּבְתוּלָ֥הkiḇ·ṯū·lāh — A young woman or virgin; an unmarried girlH1330 — Full Word Study → dressedחֲגֻֽרַת־ḥă·ḡu·raṯ- — to gird, encircle, or prepare oneselfH2296 — Full Word Study → in sackclothשַׂ֖קśaq — Coarse cloth worn as a sign of mourning or repentanceH8242 — Full Word Study →, grieving forעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the husbandבַּ֥עַלba·‘al — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study → of her youthנְעוּרֶֽיהָ׃nə·‘ū·re·hā — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study →. 9Grain and drink offeringsמִנְחָ֛הmin·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → have been cut offהָכְרַ֥תhā·ḵə·raṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → from the houseמִבֵּ֣יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; the priestsהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → are in mourningאָֽבְלוּ֙’ā·ḇə·lū — To mourn, lament, or grieveH56 — Full Word Study →, those who ministerמְשָׁרְתֵ֖יmə·šā·rə·ṯê — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study → before the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 10The fieldשָׂדֶ֔הśā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → is ruinedשֻׁדַּ֣דšud·daḏ — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →; the landאֲדָמָ֑ה’ă·ḏā·māh — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study → mournsאָבְלָ֖ה’ā·ḇə·lāh — To mourn, lament, or grieveH56 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the grainדָּגָ֔ןdā·ḡān — grain, wheat, cereal cropH1715 — Full Word Study → is destroyedשֻׁדַּ֣דšud·daḏ — to destroy, ruin, or devastate violentlyH7703 — Full Word Study →, the new wineתִּיר֖וֹשׁtî·rō·wōš — new wine, freshly pressed or fermented grape juiceH8492 — Full Word Study → is dried upהוֹבִ֥ישׁhō·w·ḇîš — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →, and the oil fails. 11Be dismayedהֹבִ֣ישׁוּhō·ḇî·šū — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →, O farmersאִכָּרִ֗ים’ik·kā·rîm — A person who tills the soil; farmer or ploughmanH406 — Full Word Study →, wailהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙hê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O vinedressersכֹּֽרְמִ֔יםkō·rə·mîm — Vineyard keeper; one who tends or dresses vinesH3755 — Full Word Study →, overעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the wheatחִטָּ֖הḥiṭ·ṭāh — wheat grain or wheat cropH2406 — Full Word Study → andוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → barleyשְׂעֹרָ֑הśə·‘ō·rāh — barley; a cereal grainH8184 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the harvestקְצִ֥ירqə·ṣîr — Harvest; the reaping of crops or figuratively, a limb or branchH7105 — Full Word Study → of the fieldשָׂדֶֽה׃śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → has perishedאָבַ֖ד’ā·ḇaḏ — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →. 12The grapevineהַגֶּ֣פֶןhag·ge·p̄en — grapevine; vine plantH1612 — Full Word Study → is dried upהוֹבִ֔ישָׁהhō·w·ḇî·šāh — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →, and the fig treeוְהַתְּאֵנָ֖הwə·hat·tə·’ê·nāh — Fig tree; fig fruitH8384 — Full Word Study → is witheredאֻמְלָ֑לָה’um·lā·lāh — to languish, weaken, or grow feebleH535 — Full Word Study →; the pomegranateרִמּ֞וֹןrim·mō·wn — pomegranate (fruit or tree)H7416 — Full Word Study →, palmתָּמָ֣רtā·mār — Palm treeH8558 — Full Word Study →, and appleוְתַפּ֗וּחַwə·ṯap·pū·aḥ — Apple or apple treeH8598 — Full Word Study →allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the treesעֲצֵ֤י‘ă·ṣê — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → of the orchardהַשָּׂדֶה֙haś·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study →are witheredיָבֵ֔שׁוּyā·ḇê·šū — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →. Surelyכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the joyשָׂשׂ֖וֹןśā·śō·wn — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8342 — Full Word Study → ofמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → mankindאָדָֽם׃ס’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → has dried upהֹבִ֥ישׁhō·ḇîš — to be ashamed; to feel shame or disgraceH954 — Full Word Study →. 13Put on sackcloth and lamentוְסִפְד֜וּwə·sip̄·ḏū — to mourn, lament, wailH5594 — Full Word Study →, O priestsהַכֹּהֲנִ֗יםhak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study →; wailהֵילִ֙ילוּ֙hê·lî·lū — to wail, howl, or cry out in lamentationH3213 — Full Word Study →, O ministersמְשָׁרְתֵ֣יmə·šā·rə·ṯê — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study → of the altarמִזְבֵּ֔חַmiz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →. Comeבֹּ֚אוּbō·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study →, spend the nightלִ֣ינוּlî·nū — to lodge, dwell, or remain (overnight or permanently)H3885 — Full Word Study → in sackclothבַשַּׂקִּ֔יםḇaś·śaq·qîm — Coarse cloth worn as a sign of mourning or repentanceH8242 — Full Word Study →, O ministersמְשָׁרְתֵ֖יmə·šā·rə·ṯê — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study → of my Godאֱלֹהָ֑י’ĕ·lō·hāy — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the grainמִנְחָ֥הmin·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → and drink offeringsוָנָֽסֶךְ׃wā·nā·seḵ — Drink offering; libation poured out in worshipH5262 — Full Word Study → are withheldנִמְנַ֛עnim·na‘ — to withhold, restrain, or refuse to giveH4513 — Full Word Study → from the houseמִבֵּ֥יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of your Godאֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →. 14Consecrateקַדְּשׁוּ־qad·də·šū- — to set apart as holy; to consecrate or sanctifyH6942 — Full Word Study → a fastצוֹם֙ṣō·wm — Fasting; abstaining from foodH6685 — Full Word Study →; proclaimקִרְא֣וּqir·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → a solemn assemblyעֲצָרָ֔ה‘ă·ṣā·rāh — Solemn assembly or sacred gatheringH6116 — Full Word Study →! Gatherאִסְפ֣וּ’is·p̄ū — to gather, assemble, collectH622 — Full Word Study → the eldersזְקֵנִ֗יםzə·qê·nîm — An old person; an elder with authority and wisdomH2205 — Full Word Study → and allכֹּ֚לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the residentsיֹשְׁבֵ֣יyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → of the landהָאָ֔רֶץhā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → to the houseבֵּ֖יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → your Godאֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →, and cry outוְזַעֲק֖וּwə·za·‘ă·qū — To cry out, call for help, summonH2199 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 15Alasאֲהָ֖הּ’ă·hāh — An exclamation of lamentation, grief, or despairH162 — Full Word Study → for the dayלַיּ֑וֹםlay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →! Forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the Dayי֣וֹםyō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is nearקָרוֹב֙qā·rō·wḇ — Near; close in space, time, or relationshipH7138 — Full Word Study →, and it will comeיָבֽוֹא׃yā·ḇō·w — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → as destructionוּכְשֹׁ֖דū·ḵə·šōḏ — Violence, destruction, or ruinH7701 — Full Word Study → from the Almightyמִשַׁדַּ֥יmi·šad·day — The AlmightyH7706 — Full Word Study →. 16Has notהֲל֛וֹאhă·lō·w — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → the foodאֹ֣כֶל’ō·ḵel — Food; that which is eatenH400 — Full Word Study → been cut offנִכְרָ֑תniḵ·rāṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → beforeנֶ֥גֶדne·ḡeḏ — before, in front of, in the presence ofH5048 — Full Word Study → our very eyesעֵינֵ֖ינוּ‘ê·nê·nū — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →joyשִׂמְחָ֥הśim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → and gladnessוָגִֽיל׃wā·ḡîl — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH1524 — Full Word Study → from the houseמִבֵּ֥יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of our Godאֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →? 17The seedsפְרֻד֗וֹתp̄ə·ru·ḏō·wṯ — seed, grainH6507 — Full Word Study → lie shriveledעָבְשׁ֣וּ‘ā·ḇə·šū — to shrivel, decay, or become rottenH5685 — Full Word Study → beneathתַּ֚חַתta·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the clodsמֶגְרְפֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔םmeḡ·rə·p̄ō·ṯê·hem — Clod of earth or lump of soilH4053 — Full Word Study →; the storehousesאֹֽצָר֔וֹת’ō·ṣā·rō·wṯ — Storehouse or treasury; a place where valuables are keptH214 — Full Word Study → are in ruinsנָשַׁ֙מּוּ֙nā·šam·mū — to be desolate; to be appalled; to lie wasteH8074 — Full Word Study →; the granariesמַמְּגֻר֑וֹתmam·mə·ḡu·rō·wṯ — Storehouse or granary for grain storageH4460 — Full Word Study → are broken downנֶהֶרְס֖וּne·her·sū — To destroy, tear down, or overthrow completelyH2040 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the grainדָּגָֽן׃dā·ḡān — grain, wheat, cereal cropH1715 — Full Word Study → has withered awayהֹבִ֖ישׁhō·ḇîš — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →. 18Howמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → the cattleבְהֵמָ֗הḇə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study → groanנֶּאֶנְחָ֣הne·’en·ḥāh — to sigh, groan, or lamentH584 — Full Word Study →! The herdsעֶדְרֵ֣י‘eḏ·rê — A flock or herd of animals, especially sheep or goatsH5739 — Full Word Study → wander in confusionנָבֹ֙כוּ֙nā·ḇō·ḵū — to perplex, entangle, or confuseH943 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they have noאֵ֥ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → pastureמִרְעֶ֖הmir·‘eh — Pasture, feeding place for livestockH4829 — Full Word Study →. Evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the flocksעֶדְרֵ֥י‘eḏ·rê — A flock or herd of animals, especially sheep or goatsH5739 — Full Word Study → of sheepהַצֹּ֖אןhaṣ·ṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study → are sufferingנֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃ne’·šā·mū — to be guilty; to commit offense or trespassH816 — Full Word Study →. 19To Youאֵלֶ֥יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, I callאֶקְרָ֑א’eq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → fireאֵ֗שׁ’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → has consumedאָֽכְלָה֙’ā·ḵə·lāh — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → the openמִדְבָּ֔רmiḏ·bār — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study → pasturesנְא֣וֹתnə·’ō·wṯ — Pleasant dwelling place, habitation, or pastureH4999 — Full Word Study → and flamesוְלֶ֣הָבָ֔הwə·le·hā·ḇāh — A flame or blaze of fireH3852 — Full Word Study → have scorchedלִהֲטָ֖הli·hă·ṭāh — To kindle, ignite, or burn intenselyH3857 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the treesעֲצֵ֥י‘ă·ṣê — Tree; wood; timberH6086 — Full Word Study → of the fieldהַשָּׂדֶֽה׃haś·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study →. 20Evenגַּם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the beastsבַּהֲמ֥וֹתba·hă·mō·wṯ — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study → of the fieldשָׂדֶ֖הśā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study → pantתַּעֲר֣וֹגta·‘ă·rō·wḡ — to long for, yearn after, pant forH6165 — Full Word Study → for Youאֵלֶ֑יךָ’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the streamsאֲפִ֣יקֵי’ă·p̄î·qê — stream, channel, watercourseH650 — Full Word Study → of waterמָ֔יִםmā·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → have dried upיָֽבְשׁוּ֙yā·ḇə·šū — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →, and fireוְאֵ֕שׁwə·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → has consumedאָכְלָ֖ה’ā·ḵə·lāh — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → the openהַמִּדְבָּֽר׃פham·miḏ·bār — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study → pasturesנְא֥וֹתnə·’ō·wṯ — Pleasant dwelling place, habitation, or pastureH4999 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Joel 1
Chapter Overview

Overview

Joel chapter 1 records a catastrophic plague of locusts that has devastated the land of Judah, destroying crops, vines, and all vegetation. The prophet calls the entire nation—from the elders to the children, from common people to priests—to recognize this disaster as a warning from God and to respond with repentance and lamentation. Rather than explaining away the plague as merely natural disaster, Joel interprets it as God's judgment and a harbinger of the coming "day of the LORD." This chapter sets the stage for the spiritual renewal and divine restoration that follow in chapters 2 and 3.

Verses 1–3: The Prophet's Commission and Call to Remember

Joel identifies himself as the messenger of God's word (verse 1). He then issues an urgent call to "old men" and "all ye inhabitants of the land" to witness something unprecedented (verse 2). The phrase "Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?" suggests a calamity so severe that no living generation has seen its equal. This is not routine agricultural loss but a warning from heaven. In verse 3, Joel commands intergenerational testimony—the elders must tell their children, who will tell their children, so that this divine message endures through generations. This reflects a biblical principle: God's mighty acts and corrections are meant to be remembered and transmitted as lessons for faith.

Verses 4–5: The Four-Fold Locust Plague

Verse 4 presents a vivid image of progressive devastation: "That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten." These four creatures likely represent different stages of locust development or successive waves of infestation, each stripping bare what the previous had spared—leaving nothing behind. This total desolation symbolizes judgment that is complete and inescapable. In verse 5, even drunkards and wine-drinkers are summoned to weep, for the new wine has been cut off from their mouths. Joel extends the call to repentance to all social classes, showing that God's judgment touches everyone without exception.

Verses 6–12: The Nation's Resources Destroyed

Verses 6–7 describe the invading swarm in almost military language—"a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion." The locusts have "laid waste" the vine and "barked" the fig tree, leaving branches "made white" (stripped and bare). The devastation is total and visible. Verses 10–12 extend the picture to the entire agricultural economy: corn is wasted, new wine dried up, oil languished, the harvest perished. All the trees of the field are withered. Joy itself has withered away from the sons of men (verse 12). This is not merely economic hardship; it is spiritual desolation. When provision ceases, the soul learns to turn from created things to the Creator.

Verses 13–15: The Priests' Lament and the Day of the LORD

The priests and ministers are called to gird themselves in sackcloth and lament (verse 13), because the meat offering and drink offering have ceased in God's house. Verse 14 summons a solemn assembly and fast, with all inhabitants called to cry unto the LORD. Then, in verse 15, the prophet reveals the spiritual significance: "Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The locust plague is interpreted as a sign of the approaching judgment day—a wake-up call to national repentance.

Verses 16–20: Creation's Groaning

The final verses extend the tragedy to the animal kingdom itself (verses 18, 20). Even the beasts groan and cry out; herds are perplexed; flocks are made desolate. Rivers dry up; fire devours the pastures. All creation suffers under the judgment. The prophet's own cry to God (verse 19) reveals his heart: he intercedes for the land and its creatures.

Application for Today

Joel reminds us that God uses hardship and loss to redirect our hearts toward Him. When the blessings of provision are stripped away, we are confronted with our spiritual need. Believers today should recognize that difficulties—whether personal, financial, or national—can be invitations to repentance and renewed dependence on God. Like Joel's ancient audience, we are called to respond to God's warnings with immediate prayer and genuine change, not mere ritual.

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