Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

JOEL 1:15KJV
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Joel 1:15 (KJV)

What does Joel 1:15 mean?

Joel 1:15 warns that a terrible day is near—the “day of the LORD”—which will come suddenly and powerfully, bringing destruction from God Himself. The verse expresses alarm and sorrow, highlighting that this coming disaster is not random but sent by the Almighty.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of crisis, likely after a devastating locust plague. He uses urgent language to alert them that the hardship they are experiencing is just a sign of a much greater judgment from God that is approaching. Joel’s message is meant to wake the people up to the seriousness of their situation and the need to recognize God’s hand in what is happening.

The Hebrew behind Joel 1:15

  • “Alas” (הָאָה, ha’ah, H162) is a cry of grief or alarm. Joel uses this word to set a tone of deep distress, showing the seriousness of what is coming.
  • “Day” (יוֹם, yom, H3117) appears twice, emphasizing the importance and uniqueness of this “day of the LORD.” It is not just any day, but a time set apart for God’s decisive action.
  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068) is the personal name of God, underscoring that this day is directly connected to God’s will and authority.
  • “Destruction” (שֹׁד, shod, H7701) means ruin or devastation. Joel uses this word to make clear that what is coming is not just hardship but overwhelming disaster.
  • “Almighty” (שַׁדַּי, Shaddai, H7706) is a title for God that stresses His power to bring about this destruction. It reminds the reader that no one can resist what God decides to do.

Why Joel 1:15 matters

  • Joel 1:15 clarifies that the disaster facing Judah is not just a natural event but is tied to God’s purpose and judgment, which might be missed if the verse is read as only describing bad luck or fate.
  • The verse introduces the theme of the “day of the LORD,” a key idea in Joel and other prophets, marking it as a time of both judgment and, eventually, hope.
  • By calling the coming destruction “from the Almighty,” Joel 1:15 stresses God’s ultimate control, pushing the people to consider their relationship with Him rather than just the physical disaster itself.

Where else these words appear

“Alas” Hebrew H162 · used in 15 verses

  • Joshua 7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
  • 2 Kings 6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
  • Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

“destruction” Hebrew H7701 · used in 24 verses

  • Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
  • Isaiah 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
  • Hosea 7:13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

“Almighty” Hebrew H7706 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
  • Job 8:5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
  • Job 27:13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

“hand” Hebrew H7138 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
  • 1 Kings 21:2 And Ahab spake unto Naboth, saying, Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near unto my house: and I will give thee for it a better vineyard than it; or, if it seem good to thee, I will give thee the worth of it in money.
  • Isaiah 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.