How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

JOEL 1:18KJV
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Joel 1:18 (KJV)

What does Joel 1:18 mean?

Joel 1:18 describes how even the animals are suffering because of a lack of food; the cattle are confused and distressed, and the sheep are left with nothing, showing the severity of the disaster. The verse uses the distress of livestock to highlight how deeply the land has been affected.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah during a time of crisis, likely after a devastating locust plague and drought. By pointing out that not only people but also animals are groaning and lost, Joel emphasizes the total devastation and helplessness caused by the disaster. The suffering of the animals underlines how far-reaching the consequences are, affecting every living thing.

The Hebrew behind Joel 1:18

  • "beasts" (בְּהֵמָה, behemah): This word often refers to large domesticated animals, not just wild creatures, showing that the loss impacts everyday life and survival.
  • "groan" (נָאֲקוּ, na'aku): This verb carries the sense of deep distress or lament, painting a vivid picture of suffering that goes beyond words.
  • "perplexed" (נָבוֹכוּ, navoku): This word means to be bewildered or at a loss, suggesting that the cattle are not just hungry but confused and desperate, unable to find any pasture.
  • "desolate" (אָשְׁמוּ, ashemu): This term means to be laid waste or devastated, stressing that the flocks of sheep have been left in a ruined state, with nothing left for them.

Why Joel 1:18 matters

  • Joel 1:18 makes clear that the disaster is so severe that it affects not only people but also animals, showing the total impact on the land.
  • The verse helps the reader feel the depth of the crisis by describing the suffering of creatures that depend on humans and the land for survival.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage, where Joel calls everyone to recognize the seriousness of the situation and turn their attention to God in the midst of overwhelming loss.

Where else these words appear

“perplexed” Hebrew H943 · used in 3 verses

  • Exodus 14:3 For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.
  • Esther 3:15 The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

“groan” Hebrew H584 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
  • Lamentations 1:4 The ways of Zion do mourn, because none come to the solemn feasts: all her gates are desolate: her priests sigh, her virgins are afflicted, and she is in bitterness.
  • Lamentations 1:21 They have heard that I sigh: there is none to comfort me: all mine enemies have heard of my trouble; they are glad that thou hast done it: thou wilt bring the day that thou hast called, and they shall be like unto me.

“pasture” Hebrew H4829 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:41 And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.
  • Lamentations 1:6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.

“desolate” Hebrew H816 · used in 32 verses

  • Leviticus 4:13 And if the whole congregation of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done somewhat against any of the commandments of the LORD concerning things which should not be done, and are guilty;
  • Numbers 5:6 Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any sin that men commit, to do a trespass against the LORD, and that person be guilty;
  • Jeremiah 50:7 All that found them have devoured them: and their adversaries said, We offend not, because they have sinned against the LORD, the habitation of justice, even the LORD, the hope of their fathers.