Joel 1:4 kjv

That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

Joel 1:4 nkjv

What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten; What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten; And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten.

Joel 1:4 niv

What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.

Joel 1:4 esv

What the cutting locust left, the swarming locust has eaten. What the swarming locust left, the hopping locust has eaten, and what the hopping locust left, the destroying locust has eaten.

Joel 1:4 nlt

After the cutting locusts finished eating the crops,
the swarming locusts took what was left!
After them came the hopping locusts,
and then the stripping locusts, too!

Joel 1 verses

Joel 1 4 Meaning

Joel 1:4 describes a devastating sequence of locust plagues where different types or stages of locusts relentlessly consume what the preceding wave has left behind. This vivid portrayal signifies a comprehensive and escalating divine judgment, leaving nothing of the land's produce untouched and heralding widespread famine and national ruin. It serves to emphasize the utter totality of the calamity and the complete stripping away of all agricultural abundance.

Joel 1 4 Context

Joel 1:4 serves as the abrupt and vivid introduction to the catastrophic crisis plaguing Judah at the beginning of Joel's prophecy. Following the opening declaration of the prophet, this verse immediately immerses the reader into the heart of an unprecedented natural disaster: a succession of locust plagues. This isn't merely an ecological event; it is prophetically interpreted as a direct act of divine judgment, setting a dire tone for the prophet’s subsequent urgent call to national lament, repentance, and the anticipation of the Day of the Lord. The ensuing verses (1:5-12) further elaborate on the extensive impact of this plague on Judah's agrarian economy, public life, and even temple worship, as the lack of grain and drink offerings prevents proper sacrifices. Historically, an agrarian society like ancient Judah would be completely devastated by such a comprehensive crop failure, leading to widespread famine, poverty, and national despair, making the impact of the locusts particularly acute and their meaning clear.

Joel 1 4 Word analysis

• What: Functions as a demonstrative pronoun, highlighting the specificity and exactness of what remained from the previous wave, ensuring nothing escaped the progressive destruction.
• the gnawing locust (גָּזָם - gazam): The first in the series, it refers to a "cutting" or "shearing" type of locust, likely a specific developmental stage or species that consumes outer leaves and initial growth. It initiates the destruction, leaving a devastated landscape.
• has left: Indicates the remainder, the minimal quantity of produce or foliage that survived the initial onslaught, suggesting that even a strong initial attack could not consume absolutely everything.
• the swarming locust (אַרְבֶּה - arbeh): The most common Hebrew term for locust, typically denoting the mature, migratory, winged locust that moves in massive, dark clouds. This term is notably used in the account of the plagues of Egypt (Exod 10:1-20). Its mention here suggests a powerful, pervasive second wave.
• has eaten: Signifies complete consumption, devouring everything consumable, even what the preceding locust type could not or did not consume.
• and what the swarming locust has left: This phrase marks the relentless, cumulative nature of the disaster. Even the massive "swarming locust" did not achieve ultimate completion from a divine perspective, allowing for yet more destruction.
• the hopping locust (יֶלֶק - yeleq): Often understood as the unfledged or wingless nymph stage of the locust (a "licker" or "crawler") or a type that meticulously strips away even the bark and stalks, completing the devastation at the very base of the plant. This highlights thoroughness and persistence.
• and what the hopping locust has left: Reinforces the systematic and comprehensive nature of the judgment, ensuring that even minute remnants are targeted.
• the destroying locust (חָסִיל - chasîl): Denotes the "devouring" or "consuming" locust, representing the final and most complete stage of consumption, ensuring utter and absolute desolation. It speaks to the ultimate thoroughness and outcome of the judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "What the [Type 1] has left, the [Type 2] has eaten; and what the [Type 2] has left, the [Type 3] has eaten; and what the [Type 3] has left, the [Type 4] has eaten": This repeated syntactic pattern, an example of anaphoric chaining, powerfully emphasizes the comprehensive, successive, and inescapable nature of the locust plague. It is not one wave, but a continuous, escalating catastrophe that ensures absolutely nothing is left. The use of four distinct Hebrew terms for locusts underscores this totality, suggesting either different developmental stages (nymph to adult), various species working in tandem, or simply a rhetorical emphasis on complete, unrelenting devastation. The combined effect is to paint a vivid picture of divine judgment so thorough that no portion of the land's produce escapes, driving the nation towards absolute famine and demanding profound lament and spiritual reflection.

Joel 1 4 Bonus section

The specific enumeration of four different types of locusts in Joel 1:4 carries profound theological significance beyond a mere entomological classification. While scholars debate whether these represent different species, life stages, or are simply rhetorical devices, their collective inclusion underscores the absolute completeness and multifaceted nature of God's judgment. This detail makes the destruction particularly agonizing for an agrarian society, as it implies there is no stage of plant growth, nor any part of the field, safe from the successive waves. Critically, this verse establishes a precise counterpoint for Joel's later message of restoration. In Joel 2:25, the Lord explicitly promises, "I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopping locust, the destroying locust, and the gnawing locust," precisely naming the same four devourers. This parallelism reinforces God's ultimate sovereignty not only in delivering judgment but also in bringing specific and total restoration. The detailed judgment in chapter one finds its exact reversal in chapter two, highlighting God's faithfulness and ability to redeem even the most desolate circumstances.

Joel 1 4 Commentary

Joel 1:4 opens the prophetic book with a striking image of layered destruction by locusts, serving as an immediate and dire pronouncement of judgment. The progression from the "gnawing" to the "swarming," "hopping," and "destroying" locusts vividly illustrates a catastrophe so profound that it leaves no remnant of the land's produce. This verse is not merely a description of a natural phenomenon but frames it as an unprecedented act of God's direct intervention. The meticulous succession of devastation ensures absolute desolation, highlighting the severity of divine wrath against an unfaithful people. This comprehensive agricultural ruin sets the stage for the prophet Joel’s subsequent call to lamentation, fasting, and sincere repentance, forcing the community to confront their absolute dependence on God in the face of such overwhelming calamity. The dire consequences detailed imply a profound disruption to economic and religious life, signaling an urgent need for spiritual realignment before the intensifying "Day of the Lord."