Joel 1:12 kjv

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 1:12 nkjv

The vine has dried up, And the fig tree has withered; The pomegranate tree, The palm tree also, And the apple tree? All the trees of the field are withered; Surely joy has withered away from the sons of men.

Joel 1:12 niv

The vine is dried up and the fig tree is withered; the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree? all the trees of the field?are dried up. Surely the people's joy is withered away.

Joel 1:12 esv

The vine dries up; the fig tree languishes. Pomegranate, palm, and apple, all the trees of the field are dried up, and gladness dries up from the children of man.

Joel 1:12 nlt

The grapevines have dried up,
and the fig trees have withered.
The pomegranate trees, palm trees, and apple trees ?
all the fruit trees ? have dried up.
And the people's joy has dried up with them.

Joel 1 verses

Joel 1 12 Meaning

Joel 1:12 graphically portrays the widespread agricultural devastation caused by the locust plague and accompanying drought, directly linking this physical desolation to the cessation of joy among the people. The drying up of key fruit-bearing plants – the vine, fig tree, pomegranate, palm, and apple tree, along with all field trees – signifies a complete loss of sustenance, prosperity, and celebratory occasion, rendering the land barren and its inhabitants despairing.

Joel 1 12 Context

Joel 1:12 falls within the prophet Joel's initial lament and call to repentance following an unprecedented, catastrophic locust plague that has devastated Judah. The entire chapter vividly describes the plague's severity, presenting it as an instrument of divine judgment that has left the land barren, agriculture destroyed, and communal joy eradicated. This verse marks a pinnacle of despair, outlining the specific fruits and trees lost, which represent not only economic ruin but also the loss of celebratory feasts and daily pleasure, making clear that the impact extends beyond mere physical destruction to the very emotional and spiritual fabric of the community. Historically, the abundance of these fruits was integral to the well-being and festival celebrations of Israel, so their loss signified profound desolation and divine displeasure, challenging any polytheistic notion that local gods of fertility (like Baal) could provide sustenance.

Joel 1 12 Word analysis

• The vine: (Hebrew: גֶּפֶן, gephen) - A primary crop and economic backbone. Symbolically, Israel itself is often likened to a vine (Isa 5:7, Ps 80:8). Its "drying up" implies both literal agricultural failure and the spiritual desolation of the people.
• The fig tree: (Hebrew: תְּאֵנָה, te'enah) - Another staple fruit tree, representing peace, prosperity, and individual security (1 Kgs 4:25, Mic 4:4). Its desiccation signals widespread economic ruin and a loss of personal comfort.
• The pomegranate: (Hebrew: רִמּוֹן, rimmon) - Known for its juicy fruit and multiple seeds, often symbolizing fertility, abundance, and even beauty. Its destruction points to a complete barrenness of the land.
• The palm: (Hebrew: תָּמָר, tamar) - Date palm, providing a crucial food source, shade, and building material. Its inclusion highlights the broad scale of the devastation, affecting essential sustenance.
• The apple tree: (Hebrew: תַּפּוּחַ, tappuakh) - While 'apple' is the common translation, the specific fruit might be ambiguous (could refer to quince, apricot, or other fragrant fruits). It nonetheless represents another valuable, pleasant fruit source that is now gone.
• All the trees of the field: (Hebrew: כָּל עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה, kol 'etz has-sadeh) - This phrase acts as an intensifier, extending the devastation beyond specific mentioned fruits to every single tree providing shade, fruit, or wood, emphasizing a total environmental collapse.
• Are withered: (Hebrew: יָבֵשׁ, yabesh) - Literally "dried up" or "become parched." It conveys absolute desiccation, signifying that there is no hope for immediate recovery or regeneration without divine intervention.
• For joy: (Hebrew: כִּי שָׂשׂוֹן, ki sasson) - Sasson means joy, delight, exultation, gladness. This connects the agricultural destruction directly to the emotional and spiritual state of the people.
• Has dried up from the children of man: (Hebrew: אָמְלָה שִׂמְחָה מִבְּנֵי אָדָם, am'lah simkhah mi-bene adam) - The word amlah also means "faded away" or "languished." It signifies that joy itself has shriveled, mirroring the physical state of the plants. This is not just temporary sadness, but a deep-seated removal of gladness from the human experience, linking the material blessings directly to human emotion and implicitly, to God's presence or absence.

Joel 1 12 Bonus section

The complete drying up of these diverse trees and fruits would have impacted the ancient Israelites' religious festivals and offerings. Many festivals, such as Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), were intrinsically tied to the harvest and featured agricultural produce prominently. Without crops, these joyous communal celebrations, which involved bringing firstfruits and giving thanks to God, would be impossible to observe in their full form, further intensifying the absence of "joy." The verse subtly critiques the false sense of security derived from relying on the fertility of the land or pagan deities associated with natural cycles, as neither could withstand the Lord's judgment. True hope for replenishment of joy and abundance would only come through sincere repentance and seeking the one true God, as later promised in Joel 2.

Joel 1 12 Commentary

Joel 1:12 serves as a stark lament over the profound consequences of divine judgment, painting a picture of total desolation that transcends mere physical loss. The enumeration of diverse, valuable fruit trees emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the agricultural catastrophe, leaving no stone unturned in portraying Judah's economic and dietary ruin. More importantly, the verse pivots from material destruction to its psychological and spiritual impact: "joy has dried up from the children of man." This direct link highlights that true joy is intertwined with the blessings of the Creator, and its cessation signals a spiritual famine as much as a physical one. The prophet's intention is to reveal that the outward blight is a reflection of an inward turning away from God, where sin causes even the inherent capacity for human happiness to wither. This underscores the Old Testament principle that blessing and prosperity are contingent upon obedience and God's favor.