Joel 1:10 (KJV)

What does Joel 1:10 mean?

Joel 1:10 describes a scene of total agricultural ruin: the fields are destroyed, the land is grieving, and the main crops—grain, new wine, and oil—are all lost or failing. This verse paints a vivid picture of disaster, showing how deeply the land and its people are affected by the devastation.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah after a terrible locust plague and drought. He uses strong, emotional language to show not just physical loss but a sense of sorrow and emptiness in the land itself. By naming the main products of the land—grain, wine, and oil—Joel highlights how every part of daily life and worship is disrupted.

The Hebrew behind Joel 1:10

• "wasted" (שָׁדַד, shadad): This word means to be destroyed or laid waste, often by violence or disaster. Here, it emphasizes the total devastation of the fields and crops.
• "mourneth" (אָבַל, aval): This word means to mourn or lament, and is used here to describe the land itself as if it is grieving, not just the people.
• "corn" (דָּגָן, dagan): In Hebrew, this refers to grain in general, not just what English speakers call "corn." It points to the staple food crop.
• "wine" (תִּירוֹשׁ, tirosh): This word means "new wine," the fresh juice from the grape harvest, showing that even the earliest stages of abundance are gone.
• "oil" (יִצְהָר, yitshar): This refers to olive oil, a key product for food, light, and worship in ancient Israel.

Why Joel 1:10 matters

• Joel 1:10 makes clear that the disaster affects every level of society, from daily meals to religious offerings, because grain, wine, and oil were central to both.
• The verse uses the image of the land itself mourning, which helps readers feel the depth of loss and the connection between people and their environment.
• By naming the specific losses, Joel sets up the call to repentance and prayer that follows, showing why the people are so desperate for God's help.