Joel 1:10

KJV

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

KJV (with Strong's)

The field {H7704} is wasted {H7703}, the land {H127} mourneth {H56}; for the corn {H1715} is wasted {H7703}: the new wine {H8492} is dried up {H3001}, the oil {H3323} languisheth {H535}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The fields are ruined, the ground is grieving; for the grain is ruined, the new wine dried up, and the olive oil is wretched.

Berean Standard Bible

The field is ruined; the land mourns. For the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, and the oil fails.

American Standard Version

The field is laid waste, the land mourneth; for the grain is destroyed, the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 1:10 paints a stark picture of agricultural and economic ruin in ancient Israel, depicting the land itself in a state of profound grief. This verse is a poignant lament over the widespread devastation caused by an unprecedented locust plague and subsequent drought, which eradicated essential crops like grain, new wine, and oil. It underscores the severity of God's judgment and the resulting despair, highlighting the nation's absolute dependence on divine provision and the dire consequences of spiritual complacency.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 1:10 is situated within the opening chapter of the prophet Joel's message, which vividly describes an unparalleled natural disaster. The preceding verses (Joel 1:2-9) detail the stages of the locust invasion, emphasizing its severity by comparing it to an army and calling for a lament. Verse 10 specifically enumerates the catastrophic impact on the nation's primary agricultural products, serving as a concrete illustration of the "day of the Lord" that Joel proclaims. This verse transitions from the description of the plague's arrival to its devastating effects, setting the stage for the call to national repentance and lament that follows in [Joel 1:13-14](/joel/1-13-14 "Joel's Call to Lament and Repentance"). The destruction of the crops also directly impacts the ability to offer sacrifices (as mentioned in [Joel 1:9](/joel/1-9 "Joel 1:9 - The Cessation of Offerings")), linking the economic disaster to a spiritual crisis.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was predominantly an agrarian society, where the cultivation of grain (corn), grapes for wine, and olives for oil formed the bedrock of their economy, diet, and religious practices. These commodities were not merely food sources but also crucial for trade, taxation, and the production of offerings for the Temple. A widespread failure of these crops, as described in Joel 1:10, meant total economic collapse, widespread famine, and a disruption of the sacrificial system, which was central to their covenant relationship with God. Such a disaster would have been perceived not as a random natural event but as a direct act of divine judgment or a sign of God's displeasure, echoing the curses for disobedience outlined in the Mosaic Law, particularly in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The imagery of the land mourning reflects a common ancient Near Eastern literary motif, personifying nature to convey the depth of suffering.
* **Key Themes:** Joel 1:10 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Joel and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Judgment and Sovereignty**, presenting the agricultural devastation as a direct consequence of God's action, intended to call His people to account. Secondly, it highlights **Economic Ruin and Famine**, emphasizing the vulnerability of human societies and their absolute dependence on divine provision for sustenance and prosperity. The loss of grain, wine, and oil signifies not just hunger but a complete societal breakdown, impacting every facet of life from daily meals to religious festivals. Lastly, the personification of the land mourning underscores the theme of **Lament and Despair**, conveying the pervasive grief and desolation that gripped the nation. This profound sorrow serves as a catalyst for the prophet's urgent call to repentance, as seen in [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **wasted (Hebrew, _shâdad'_):** From H7703, this root means "to be burly," but by implication, "to ravage" or "to spoil." It conveys a sense of violent, utter destruction, pillage, or ruin. In Joel 1:10, its repetition ("the field is wasted... for the corn is wasted") emphasizes the thoroughness and destructive power of the locust plague, suggesting a complete and violent stripping bare of the land's produce, leaving nothing behind.
* **mourneth (Hebrew, _ʼâbal'_):** From H56, this primitive root means "to bewail" or "to lament." It is a term typically used for human mourning, expressing deep sorrow, grief, or lamentation. When applied to "the land" in this verse, it vividly personifies the earth itself as grieving, underscoring the immense, pervasive sorrow and desolation that has fallen upon the entire natural world and, by extension, its inhabitants.
* **new wine (Hebrew, _tîyrôwsh'_):** From H8492, this refers to "must" or "fresh grape-juice" (as just squeezed out), and by implication, fermented wine. It represents the annual grape harvest, a symbol of joy, celebration, and divine blessing in Israelite culture. Its "drying up" signifies not just a loss of sustenance but a cessation of joy and prosperity, impacting both daily life and the celebratory aspects of their religious festivals.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The field is wasted":** This phrase immediately establishes the widespread agricultural devastation. "The field" (H7704, _sâdeh_) refers to cultivated land, implying that the very source of the nation's sustenance has been rendered barren and unproductive, likely by the locusts.
* **"the land mourneth":** This powerful personification attributes human emotion to the earth itself. "The land" (H127, _ʼădâmâh_) refers to the soil or country, emphasizing that the entire territory is grieving. This imagery conveys the profound and pervasive sorrow that has gripped the nation, as the land, which provides life, is now desolate and weeping.
* **"for the corn is wasted":** This clause provides the specific reason for the land's mourning and the field's desolation. "Corn" (H1715, _dâgân_) refers to grain, the staple food crop. Its being "wasted" (H7703, _shâdad_) reiterates the violent and complete destruction of the primary food source, leading directly to famine.
* **"the new wine is dried up":** This signifies the destruction of the grape harvest. "New wine" (H8492, _tîyrôwsh_) represents the fresh produce of the vine, a symbol of joy and prosperity. Its "drying up" (H3001, _yâbêsh_) indicates a complete loss, not only of a vital food source but also of the cultural and religious celebrations associated with wine.
* **"the oil languisheth":** This final phrase completes the picture of economic and dietary ruin. "Oil" (H3323, _yitshâr_) refers to olive oil, another essential commodity for food, light, anointing, and trade. Its "languishing" (H535, _ʼâmal_) implies a weakening or failing, suggesting that the olive trees are withered or their fruit destroyed, leading to a severe shortage of this critical resource.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 1:10 employs several potent **Literary Devices** to convey the depth of the catastrophe. **Personification** is most striking in "the land mourneth," attributing human grief and lament to the earth itself. This device amplifies the sense of pervasive sorrow and highlights that the entire natural order is affected by the divine judgment. The repetition of "wasted" (Hebrew _shadad_) for both the field and the corn serves as **Anaphora** and **Emphasis**, underscoring the thoroughness and totality of the destruction. Furthermore, the enumeration of "corn," "new wine," and "oil" functions as **Merism**, representing the entirety of agricultural produce and, by extension, the complete economic ruin of the nation. The stark contrast between the usual abundance of these crops and their current state of desolation creates a powerful sense of **Irony** and highlights the severity of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 1:10 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that God is sovereign over all creation, including natural phenomena, and that He uses such events as instruments of His divine will, often for the purpose of judgment and a call to repentance. The devastation of the land's produce serves as a tangible manifestation of God's displeasure, designed to humble His people and turn their hearts back to Him. This verse underscores humanity's fundamental dependence on God for all provision and sustenance, revealing the fragility of life when divine blessings are withdrawn. It also foreshadows the broader "Day of the Lord," a recurring prophetic theme that speaks to God's ultimate intervention in history, bringing both judgment and salvation.

* [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23-24 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Haggai 1:11](/haggai/1-11 "Haggai 1:11 - Drought as Judgment")
* [Amos 4:6-9](/amos/4-6-9 "Amos 4:6-9 - God's Afflictions to Bring Repentance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 1:10 serves as a timeless reminder that our well-being, both physical and spiritual, is ultimately dependent on God's grace and provision. In a world that often prides itself on self-sufficiency and technological advancement, this ancient lament cuts through our illusions of control, exposing our inherent vulnerability. It calls us to examine our own lives: are we living in a way that honors God, or have we become complacent, taking His blessings for granted? The devastation described in this verse, while historical, resonates with contemporary challenges such as economic downturns, natural disasters, or personal hardships, all of which can strip away our sense of security and force us to confront our deepest dependencies. It prompts us to consider how we respond to such trials—with despair, or with a humble turning back to the Source of all life. Ultimately, Joel's message encourages us to cultivate a posture of gratitude in times of plenty and a spirit of sincere repentance and trust in times of scarcity, recognizing that even in judgment, God's ultimate desire is for our restoration and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the personification of "the land mourneth" deepen your understanding of the impact of sin and judgment, both on humanity and on creation?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be taking God's provision for granted, and what steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of gratitude and dependence?**
* **When faced with personal or societal "wasting" or "languishing," what is your immediate spiritual response, and how might Joel 1:10 challenge or affirm that response?**

### FAQ
**Was the locust plague described in Joel 1:10 a literal event, or is it purely symbolic?**

Answer: While prophetic literature often employs rich symbolism, the description in Joel 1, including Joel 1:10, is so vivid and detailed that most scholars believe it refers to a literal, historical locust plague of unprecedented severity that devastated Judah. The prophet uses this tangible disaster as a springboard to call the people to repentance and to foreshadow the greater "Day of the Lord." The specific enumeration of destroyed crops (corn, new wine, oil) points to a real-world agricultural catastrophe, which would have had immediate and devastating consequences for an agrarian society. The historical event serves as a powerful object lesson for the theological truths Joel wishes to convey, particularly regarding God's judgment and the need for national repentance, as also seen in the call to lament in [Joel 1:13-14](/joel/1-13-14 "Joel 1:13-14 - Call to Lament").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 1:10, with its depiction of a land wasted and mourning due to judgment, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a literal agricultural restoration, but in the spiritual restoration and new creation inaugurated by Jesus Christ. The famine and desolation described here point to humanity's deeper spiritual hunger and the barrenness of a life apart from God. Just as the land longed for rain and fruit, humanity longs for true sustenance and joy. Christ, as the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offers Himself as the ultimate provision, satisfying all spiritual hunger (compare [John 6:51](/john/6-51 "John 6:51 - Jesus' Flesh as Living Bread")). Furthermore, the "new wine" that dried up in Joel's day foreshadows the "new wine" of the New Covenant, poured out through Christ's sacrifice, bringing joy and spiritual renewal that transcends earthly provisions (as seen in [Mark 2:22](/mark/2-22 "Mark 2:22 - New Wine in New Wineskins")). The languishing oil, a symbol of anointing and blessing, is ultimately fulfilled in the Holy Spirit, the anointing that believers receive through Christ, empowering them and bringing spiritual flourishing (see [1 John 2:20](/1_john/2-20 "1 John 2:20 - The Anointing from the Holy One")). Thus, the judgment and desolation of Joel 1:10 serve to highlight the profound grace and abundant life found in Christ, who reverses the curse, brings spiritual abundance, and promises a new heavens and new earth where there will be no more mourning or wasting (as promised in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 4:3

Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

Hosea 9:2

The floor and the winepress shall not feed them, and the new wine shall fail in her.

Jeremiah 12:11

They have made it desolate, [and being] desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth [it] to heart.

Joel 1:5

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

Jeremiah 14:2

Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

Jeremiah 14:6

And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because [there was] no grass.

Isaiah 24:11

[There is] a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.