Joel 1:11

KJV

Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.

KJV (with Strong's)

Be ye ashamed {H3001}, O ye husbandmen {H406}; howl {H3213}, O ye vinedressers {H3755}, for the wheat {H2406} and for the barley {H8184}; because the harvest {H7105} of the field {H7704} is perished {H6}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Despair, you farmers; lament, vinedressers, over the wheat and the barley - the harvest from the fields is lost.

Berean Standard Bible

Be dismayed, O farmers, wail, O vinedressers, over the wheat and barley, because the harvest of the field has perished.

American Standard Version

Be confounded, O ye husbandmen, wail, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; for the harvest of the field is perished.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 1:11 issues a direct and urgent lament to the agricultural community of Judah, specifically the husbandmen and vinedressers, commanding them to feel profound shame and to wail in despair. This call to mourning is a direct consequence of an unprecedented and devastating natural disaster—a severe locust plague and accompanying drought—that has utterly destroyed the vital wheat and barley harvests, signifying widespread famine and the complete collapse of the nation's primary economic and food sources.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 1 opens with a stark depiction of an unparalleled locust invasion, described in terms that evoke a military conquest and a consuming fire. This event is portrayed as a direct act of divine judgment, setting the stage for the prophet's call to national repentance and warning of the impending "Day of the Lord." Verses 5-10 detail the progressive destruction of various crops and the resulting desolation, leading directly to the desperate plea in verse 11. The prophet's address to the husbandmen and vinedressers here is a poignant personification of the land's suffering, emphasizing the human toll of the agricultural ruin that has silenced the joy of harvest and the offerings to the Lord. The subsequent verses continue to describe the deepening crisis and the call for public lamentation and fasting, culminating in the solemn assembly described in [Joel 1:13-14](/joel/1-13-14 "Joel 1:13-14 - Call to Lamentation and Fasting").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, heavily dependent on seasonal rains and fertile land for its sustenance. Wheat and barley were staple crops, forming the backbone of their diet and economy. The harvest was a time of great celebration and thanksgiving, often accompanied by religious festivals. A complete failure of the harvest, as described in Joel 1:11, meant not only physical starvation but also economic ruin and a profound challenge to their understanding of God's covenantal blessings (cf. [Deuteronomy 28:15-24](/deuteronomy/28-15-24 "Deuteronomy 28:15-24 - Curses for Disobedience")). Locust plagues were a known, though often devastating, phenomenon in the ancient Near East, but Joel describes this particular plague as unprecedented, suggesting a divine intensity beyond natural occurrences. The call to "be ashamed" and "howl" reflects the deep public grief and humiliation associated with such a catastrophic loss, which was often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure.
* **Key Themes:** Joel 1:11 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joel. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Judgment**, presenting the agricultural catastrophe as a tangible manifestation of God's righteous anger against the people's sin, serving as a severe warning of the greater judgment to come on the [Day of the Lord](/joel/2-1 "Joel 2:1 - The Day of the Lord"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Economic Devastation and Famine**, vividly portraying the complete destruction of the nation's food supply and the resulting widespread suffering. This economic collapse forces the people to confront their utter dependence on God's provision. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Lamentation and Repentance**, as the prophet commands those most affected to engage in public mourning, a necessary precursor to genuine repentance and seeking God's mercy, as later called for in [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - Return to the Lord with All Your Heart"). The loss of the harvest also impacts the ability to offer sacrifices in the temple, further highlighting the spiritual implications of the physical disaster.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ashamed (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** H3001. This primitive root signifies not only a feeling of shame or confusion but also the physical drying up or withering, as of water or herbage. In Joel 1:11, it carries the dual weight of emotional humiliation and the literal drying up of the land's produce. The husbandmen are called to be "ashamed" because their efforts have come to naught, their source of livelihood and pride utterly destroyed, reflecting a deep sense of failure and disgrace in the face of divine judgment.
* **Howl (Hebrew, _yâlal'_):** H3213. A primitive root meaning to wail with a mournful tone or to yell with a boisterous one. This imperative command emphasizes a public, audible expression of deep grief and despair. It is not a quiet sorrow but a visceral, unrestrained cry of anguish, reflecting the profound and widespread nature of the calamity that has befallen the agricultural community.
* **Perished (Hebrew, _ʼâbad'_):** H6. A primitive root meaning to wander away, lose oneself, or by implication, to perish or be destroyed. It conveys a sense of complete and irrecoverable loss, signifying that the harvest is not merely damaged but utterly ruined, beyond recovery. This word underscores the severity and finality of the devastation, leaving no hope for the immediate future of the crops.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen;":** This is a direct imperative command from the prophet, addressing the farmers who cultivate the land. The command to "be ashamed" signifies a deep sense of humiliation and disgrace, not merely for their failed labor, but perhaps also in recognition of the spiritual state that has led to such divine judgment. Their very identity and livelihood, tied to the fruitfulness of the land, have been stripped away.
* **"howl, O ye vinedressers,":** The command to "howl" extends the call to lamentation to those who tend the vineyards, another vital sector of the agrarian economy. This emphasizes the widespread nature of the catastrophe, affecting all aspects of agricultural production. The howling is a public, visceral expression of profound grief and despair, a communal cry of anguish over the utter ruin.
* **"for the wheat and for the barley;":** This phrase specifies the primary reason for the lamentation. Wheat and barley were the staple grains, essential for daily sustenance and economic stability. Their destruction means widespread famine and economic collapse, impacting every household. This detail highlights the fundamental nature of the loss.
* **"because the harvest of the field is perished.":** This final clause provides the definitive explanation for the prophet's urgent call to shame and howling. The word "perished" (H6, _ʼâbad_) signifies complete and irrecoverable destruction. The entire "harvest of the field"—encompassing all agricultural produce—is utterly lost, leaving no hope for food or income from the land, thus necessitating such a profound and public display of grief and desperation.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 1:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey the depth of the catastrophe and the urgency of the prophet's message. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as Joel directly addresses the "husbandmen" and "vinedressers," calling them to lament. This direct address creates a sense of immediacy and personalizes the tragedy, making the reader feel the direct impact on those whose livelihoods have been destroyed. The use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Be ye ashamed," "howl") underscores the prophet's authority and the necessity of this public display of grief and repentance. The vivid imagery of the "perished" harvest evokes a scene of utter desolation and despair. Furthermore, the mention of "wheat and barley" serves as a **Metonymy**, representing the entirety of the agricultural economy and the nation's food supply, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the disaster. The intensity of the commands and the description of the loss also verge on **Hyperbole**, suggesting a destruction so complete it demands an equally extreme response of sorrow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 1:11 serves as a stark reminder of humanity's absolute dependence on God's provision and the severe consequences that can arise when a community drifts from His ways. The agricultural devastation, interpreted as divine judgment, underscores the theological truth that God is sovereign over creation and can withhold or bestow blessings as He wills. The call to lamentation is not merely an expression of sorrow but an implicit invitation to repentance, acknowledging the community's desperate state and their need to return to the Lord. This physical famine serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual barrenness, prompting introspection on areas where individuals or communities may have neglected their spiritual "harvest."

* [Deuteronomy 28:23-24](/deuteronomy/28-23-24 "Deuteronomy 28:23-24 - Curses of Drought and Famine")
* [Jeremiah 14:2-4](/jeremiah/14-2-4 "Jeremiah 14:2-4 - Lament over Drought and Famine")
* [Haggai 1:9-11](/haggai/1-9-11 "Haggai 1:9-11 - Consequences of Neglecting the Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 1:11 is a powerful summons to acknowledge the fragility of human security and the ultimate source of all provision. In a world often characterized by self-sufficiency and reliance on economic stability, this verse challenges us to recognize our profound dependence on God. When our "harvests"—whether literal crops, financial stability, health, or even spiritual fruitfulness—seem to perish, it is a call to humility, lament, and a re-evaluation of our relationship with the Divine. It prompts us to consider whether our complacency or disobedience might be contributing to a spiritual barrenness, and to respond with genuine sorrow and a turning back to God, trusting in His mercy even amidst desolation. The prophet's command to "be ashamed" and "howl" is an invitation to authentic lament, a necessary step towards repentance and restoration, reminding us that true hope is found not in earthly abundance but in the unfailing faithfulness of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "harvests" in your life (spiritual, relational, professional) might currently feel "perished" or barren, and how are you responding to that desolation?**
* **In what ways might a sense of "shame" or "howling" be a necessary, even healthy, response to personal or communal crises, leading to deeper dependence on God?**
* **How does this verse challenge a mindset of self-reliance, and what practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of dependence on God's provision in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**What was the specific cause of the "perished harvest" in Joel 1:11?**

Answer: The specific cause of the "perished harvest" in Joel 1:11, as described throughout the opening chapter of Joel, was an unprecedented and devastating locust plague, compounded by an accompanying drought. Joel 1:4 details the successive waves of locusts—the gnawing locust, the swarming locust, the hopping locust, and the destroying locust—each consuming what the previous one left behind, leading to the complete desolation of the land. This natural disaster is presented not merely as an unfortunate event but as a direct act of divine judgment against the people of Judah, serving as a severe warning of the impending [Day of the Lord](/joel/2-1 "Joel 2:1 - The Day of the Lord").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joel 1:11 describes a literal agricultural catastrophe and a call to lament over physical famine, its profound themes find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The "perished harvest" of wheat and barley, symbolizing the loss of physical sustenance and the consequence of sin, foreshadows the deeper spiritual famine that afflicts humanity apart from God. Jesus, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life"), offers true and eternal sustenance, declaring that those who come to Him will never hunger. He is the ultimate "harvest" that can never perish, providing spiritual nourishment that transcends earthly provisions. The lament and shame commanded in Joel 1:11 point to the need for repentance and mourning over sin, a call that finds its perfect answer in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, which takes away the shame and guilt of humanity. Through His atoning work, the barrenness of sin is transformed into spiritual fruitfulness, as believers are grafted into Him, the true vine, to bear much fruit for the kingdom of God (cf. [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Jesus, the True Vine")). Thus, the despair of a lost earthly harvest is replaced by the eternal hope and abundant life found in Christ, who is the ultimate source of all spiritual provision and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

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

Jeremiah 14:3

And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the pits, [and] found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

Jeremiah 14:4

Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

Isaiah 17:11

In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: [but] the harvest [shall be] a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.

Jeremiah 9:12

¶ Who [is] the wise man, that may understand this? and [who is he] to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth [and] is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?

Romans 5:5

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Amos 5:16

¶ Therefore the LORD, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing [shall be] in all streets; and they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! and they shall call the husbandman to mourning, and such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.