The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

JOEL 1:12KJV
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Joel 1:12 (KJV)

What does Joel 1:12 mean?

Joel 1:12 describes a scene of total agricultural ruin, where every kind of tree—vine, fig, pomegranate, palm, and apple—has withered, and even human joy has dried up. The verse paints a picture of deep loss, showing that the devastation affects both the land and the people’s spirits.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of disaster, likely caused by a locust plague or severe drought. By listing specific trees and crops, Joel makes the loss personal and concrete, showing that the crisis touches every part of daily life. The verse connects the physical destruction of the land with the emotional and spiritual state of the people, emphasizing how closely their well-being is tied to the health of their land.

The Hebrew behind Joel 1:12

  • "Vine" (גֶּפֶן, gephen; H1612) and "fig tree" (תְּאֵנָה, te'enah; H8384) are both important crops in ancient Israel, often symbols of peace and prosperity. Their mention highlights the severity of the disaster.
  • "Languisheth" (אֻמְלַל, umlal; H535) means to droop, fade, or become weak, describing not just physical decay but also a sense of exhaustion or despair.
  • "Withered" and "up" (יָבֵשׁ, yavesh; H3001) appear several times, describing both the plants and, metaphorically, the loss of "joy" (שָׂשׂוֹן, sason; H8342). This wordplay ties the physical blight directly to the emotional state of the people.
  • "Joy" (שָׂשׂוֹן, sason; H8342) is not just happiness but a deeper sense of gladness and celebration, showing that the disaster has taken away even the people’s ability to rejoice.

Why Joel 1:12 matters

  • Joel 1:12 makes it clear that the crisis is not just about lost crops but about a community-wide loss of hope and joy, connecting physical and emotional suffering.
  • The verse highlights how dependent the people were on the land for both survival and happiness, making the devastation feel total and deeply personal.
  • By naming specific trees and using repeated words for "withering," Joel emphasizes the completeness of the disaster and sets the stage for the urgent calls to repentance and prayer that follow in the book.

Where else these words appear

“tree” Hebrew H8598 · used in 6 verses

  • Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
  • Song of Solomon 2:3 As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.
  • Song of Solomon 7:8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, and the smell of thy nose like apples;

“tree” Hebrew H8558 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.
  • Deuteronomy 34:3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.
  • Nehemiah 8:15 And that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying, Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and pine branches, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.

“languisheth” Hebrew H535 · used in 14 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.
  • Isaiah 24:7 The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
  • Lamentations 2:8 The LORD hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Zion: he hath stretched out a line, he hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: therefore he made the rampart and the wall to lament; they languished together.

“joy” Hebrew H8342 · used in 22 verses

  • Esther 8:16 The Jews had light, and gladness, and joy, and honour.
  • Isaiah 12:3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
  • Jeremiah 15:16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.