Joel 1:5 (KJV)

What does Joel 1:5 mean?

Joel 1:5 calls on those who are drunk and those who drink wine to wake up and mourn, because their supply of new wine has been cut off. The verse uses the loss of wine as a sign of disaster and a reason for sorrow among those who depended on it.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah after a devastating locust plague has ruined their crops. He addresses the "drunkards" and "drinkers of wine" directly, urging them to realize the seriousness of the situation. The loss of new wine means not just a lack of pleasure, but also a sign that something is deeply wrong in the land.

The Hebrew behind Joel 1:5

• "Awake" (קוּצוּ, qūṣū): This word means to wake up from sleep or stupor. Here, it calls for a sudden awareness, urging those lost in indulgence to face reality.
• "Drunkards" (שִׁכּוֹרִים, shikkorim): This term refers specifically to people who are intoxicated, highlighting those who have been living carelessly.
• "Wine" (יַיִן, yayin) and "new wine" (עָסִיס, ‘asis): "Yayin" is the general word for wine, while "‘asis" refers to freshly pressed grape juice or new wine. The distinction underlines that even the freshest, most eagerly awaited wine is now gone.
• "Cut off" (כָּרַת, karath): This word means to be severed or removed completely. The verse stresses that the loss is total—nothing is left for enjoyment.

Why Joel 1:5 matters

• Joel 1:5 makes clear that the disaster affects everyone, even those who might seem carefree or insulated from hardship, like the drunkards.
• The verse uses the loss of wine—a daily pleasure and symbol of blessing—to show the depth of the crisis and to call people to mourn and reflect.
• This verse sets the tone for the rest of Joel, where physical loss is meant to wake people up to spiritual realities and the need for repentance.