Joel 1:13

KJV

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Gird {H2296} yourselves, and lament {H5594}, ye priests {H3548}: howl {H3213}, ye ministers {H8334} of the altar {H4196}: come {H935}, lie all night {H3885} in sackcloth {H8242}, ye ministers {H8334} of my God {H430}: for the meat offering {H4503} and the drink offering {H5262} is withholden {H4513} from the house {H1004} of your God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Cohanim, put on sackcloth, and weep! Wail, you who serve at the altar! Come, lie in sackcloth all night long, you who serve my God! For the grain offering and drink offering are withheld from the house of your God.

Berean Standard Bible

Put on sackcloth and lament, O priests; wail, O ministers of the altar. Come, spend the night in sackcloth, O ministers of my God, because the grain and drink offerings are withheld from the house of your God.

American Standard Version

Gird yourselveswith sackcloth, and lament, ye priests; wail, ye ministers of the altar; come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meal-offering and the drink-offering are withholden from the house of your God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 1:13 issues an urgent, impassioned divine command to the priests and ministers of Judah, compelling them to engage in profound lamentation and public mourning. This desperate call is necessitated by the catastrophic locust plague and subsequent drought, which have decimated the land's produce, rendering the customary grain and drink offerings impossible to present at the temple. The verse underscores the severity of God's judgment, the disruption of sacred worship, and the critical responsibility of spiritual leaders to lead the nation in a collective act of repentance and intercession in the face of such spiritual and physical desolation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 1:13 is a pivotal command within the prophet Joel's opening chapter, which vividly describes an unprecedented and devastating locust plague followed by a severe drought. The preceding verses detail the widespread destruction of crops, vineyards, and fruit trees, leading to agricultural ruin and national despair (e.g., [Joel 1:4-7](/joel/1-4-7 "Joel 1:4-7 - The Devastation of the Locust Plague")). This ecological catastrophe is presented not merely as a natural disaster but as a direct manifestation of divine judgment. The lamentable state of the land culminates in the inability to provide the necessary produce for the daily temple sacrifices, specifically the grain and drink offerings mentioned in [Joel 1:10-12](/joel/1-10-12 "Joel 1:10-12 - The Withering of the Land"). Therefore, verse 13 serves as a direct, urgent response to this spiritual and physical crisis, calling the religious leaders to lead the people in a profound act of mourning and repentance, essential for national restoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Joel is notoriously difficult to date, but its message resonates with periods of national crisis in ancient Judah. The "locust plague" and "drought" described are not just metaphors but likely real events that would have had catastrophic economic and social consequences in an agrarian society dependent on rainfall and harvests. In ancient Israelite worship, the "meat offering" (more accurately, the grain or meal offering, *minchâh*) and "drink offering" (*nesech*) were fundamental components of daily temple rituals, symbolizing devotion, thanksgiving, and atonement. Their cessation, due to the lack of produce, was a profound spiritual crisis, indicating a broken covenant relationship and the suspension of the means by which the people typically approached God. Sackcloth was a coarse, dark fabric worn as a public sign of deep grief, mourning, humility, or repentance, often accompanied by fasting and ashes. The call for priests to "lie all night in sackcloth" signifies an extreme, public display of contrition and intercession, reflecting the gravity of the national calamity.
* **Key Themes:** Joel 1:13 powerfully contributes to several key themes woven throughout the book of Joel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Judgment and its Impact on Worship**, demonstrating how sin and its consequences can directly impede or even halt the corporate worship of God. The inability to offer prescribed sacrifices signifies a practical breakdown in the covenant relationship, a theme further explored in [Joel 2:1-11](/joel/2-1-11 "Joel 2:1-11 - The Day of the Lord's Army"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **The Indispensable Role of Religious Leaders**. Priests and ministers are explicitly called to lead the nation in sorrow and repentance, underscoring their unique responsibility to intercede for the people and guide them in spiritual matters. Their public display of grief and humility is presented as crucial for initiating a national return to God, a call echoed in [Joel 2:15-17](/joel/2-15-17 "Joel 2:15-17 - A Call to Solemn Assembly"). Finally, the passage strongly conveys the **Urgency of Repentance and Lamentation**. The commands to "gird yourselves, and lament," "howl," and "lie all night in sackcloth" underscore the depth of sorrow and the immediate need for heartfelt contrition required to avert further divine wrath and seek restoration, a message that culminates in the promise of restoration upon genuine repentance in [Joel 2:18-32](/joel/2-18-32 "Joel 2:18-32 - God's Compassion and the Outpouring of His Spirit").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Gird (Hebrew, _châgar'_):** While often meaning to prepare for action by tightening one's garments, in this context, *châgar* takes on the specific nuance of preparing for intense mourning, typically by putting on sackcloth. It implies a deliberate act of readiness for lamentation, emphasizing the solemnity and urgency of the prophet's call to the priests.
* **Howl (Hebrew, _yâlal'_):** This word denotes a loud, mournful cry, a wailing sound indicative of deep anguish and distress. It suggests a public, audible expression of profound grief, far beyond mere sadness, demanding an unrestrained outpouring of sorrow from the religious leaders.
* **Ministers (Hebrew, _shârath'_):** This term refers to those who attend or serve, particularly in a religious or ceremonial capacity. Here, it specifically designates the priests and other temple functionaries who are responsible for the sacred service of God. The use of this word underscores their unique role and responsibility in leading the people in worship and, consequently, in repentance when that worship is disrupted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests":** This is a direct, imperative command to the *kôhên* (priests), who were the primary officiants of temple worship. "Gird yourselves" (often with sackcloth) signals a preparation for deep, public mourning, not for activity. "Lament" (from *çâphad*) implies a loud, demonstrative expression of grief, akin to tearing clothes or beating breasts, signifying profound sorrow over the national calamity and its spiritual implications.
* **"howl, ye ministers of the altar":** This intensifies the previous command, directing the *shârath* (ministers/servants) who attend the altar to utter a piercing, wailing cry (*yâlal*). The altar, the focal point of sacrifice and atonement, is now barren, making the call to howl a poignant response to the desecration of worship.
* **"come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God":** The command to "come" (*bôwʼ*) emphasizes urgency and immediacy. "Lie all night" (*lûwn*) signifies an extended, public vigil of mourning and supplication, demonstrating extreme humility and contrition. "Sackcloth" (*saq*) is the traditional garment of mourning and repentance, worn to symbolize a broken and contrite spirit before God. The repetition of "ministers" and the possessive "my God" underscore their direct accountability to God and their unique role as spiritual intermediaries.
* **"for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God":** This clause provides the devastating reason for the profound lament. The "meat offering" (*minchâh*, grain/meal offering) and "drink offering" (*neçek*, libation) were essential, daily components of temple worship, symbolizing devotion and maintaining covenant relationship. Their "withholden" (*mânaʻ*) status—not offered because there is no produce—represents a complete breakdown in the ritual system and, more importantly, a severe disruption in the people's ability to approach God through prescribed means. "The house of your God" (*bayith*) refers to the Temple in Jerusalem, the sacred center of Israelite worship, now deprived of its customary offerings.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 1:13 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its urgent message. The repeated use of **imperative verbs** ("Gird yourselves," "lament," "howl," "come," "lie") creates a sense of immediate command and intense urgency, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the necessity of an immediate response from the religious leaders. The **parallelism** between "priests" and "ministers of the altar," and then "ministers of my God," emphasizes the specific target audience and reinforces their collective responsibility. **Symbolism** is prominent, with "sackcloth" representing deep mourning, humility, and repentance, and the "meat offering and the drink offering" symbolizing the disrupted covenant relationship and the inability to properly worship God. The **pathos** is palpable, as the prophet evokes a deep emotional response by describing the cessation of sacred rituals, a sign of God's judgment and the spiritual desolation of the people. Finally, the **causal conjunction "for"** ("for the meat offering...") clearly links the command to lament with its devastating cause, highlighting the direct consequence of the agricultural ruin on the nation's spiritual life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 1:13 profoundly illustrates the interconnectedness of national well-being, spiritual obedience, and the practice of worship. The withholding of offerings due to famine is not merely an inconvenience but a theological crisis, signifying a breach in the covenant relationship between God and His people. It reveals that God's judgment can directly impact the very means by which His people approach Him, forcing a confrontation with their spiritual state. The call for the priests to lead in lament underscores the principle of corporate responsibility and the vital role of spiritual leadership in guiding a community through repentance. This passage teaches that true worship is not merely ritualistic but must flow from a heart responsive to God's dealings, especially in times of discipline. It highlights that when the customary forms of worship are interrupted, it should provoke profound introspection, grief, and a desperate plea for divine mercy.

* [Leviticus 26:18-20](/leviticus/26-18-20 "Leviticus 26:18-20 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-24](/deuteronomy/28-15-24 "Deuteronomy 28:15-24 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Isaiah 1:10-15](/isaiah/1-10-15 "Isaiah 1:10-15 - God's Rejection of Empty Rituals")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 1:13 serves as a timeless summons for deep spiritual introspection, both individually and corporately. In our own lives, when circumstances hinder our ability to engage in customary spiritual practices—whether personal devotion, corporate worship, or acts of service—we are called not to merely lament the loss of the practice itself, but to discern if such hindrances are a divine call to examine the spiritual health of our hearts and communities. Is there unconfessed sin, spiritual apathy, or a broken relationship with God that has led to a "withholding" of His presence or blessing? This passage reminds us that genuine repentance begins with a profound recognition of our spiritual poverty and a willingness to publicly humble ourselves before God, much like the priests in sackcloth. For leaders, it underscores the immense responsibility to be vigilant, to discern the spiritual climate of their flock, and to courageously lead the way in repentance and intercession, even when it means public vulnerability. Ultimately, it challenges us to value our access to God through worship and to never take for granted the means by which we draw near to Him, ensuring our worship is always heartfelt and responsive to His truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What current "hindrances" to spiritual practice or corporate worship might God be using to call me or my community to deeper introspection and repentance?**
* **In what ways am I, or are our spiritual leaders, called to model humility and lament in the face of spiritual or societal crises?**
* **How does the absence of "offerings" (our spiritual disciplines, acts of service, or genuine praise) reveal a deeper issue in my relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Why are the "meat offering" and "drink offering" specifically mentioned as being withheld?**

Answer: The "meat offering" (Hebrew: *minchâh*) was primarily a grain or meal offering, often presented with fine flour, oil, and frankincense, symbolizing devotion, thanksgiving, and the dedication of the fruits of one's labor to God (e.g., [Leviticus 2:1-3](/leviticus/2-1-3 "Leviticus 2:1-3 - The Grain Offering")). The "drink offering" (Hebrew: *neçek*) typically consisted of wine poured out as a libation, accompanying other sacrifices as an act of worship and dedication (e.g., [Numbers 28:7](/numbers/28-7 "Numbers 28:7 - The Daily Burnt Offering")). These were daily, fundamental components of the temple worship system. Their absence, due to the complete destruction of crops by the locust plague and drought, meant that the people could not fulfill their covenant obligations or express their devotion through these prescribed means. This was not just a logistical problem but a profound spiritual crisis, indicating a broken relationship with God and the suspension of the very acts that symbolized their communion with Him.

**What is the significance of the priests being told to "lie all night in sackcloth"?**

Answer: The command for the priests to "lie all night in sackcloth" signifies an extreme and public act of mourning, humility, and repentance. Sackcloth, a coarse, dark fabric, was the traditional garment of grief and contrition in ancient Israel (e.g., [Jonah 3:5-8](/jonah/3-5-8 "Jonah 3:5-8 - Repentance in Nineveh")). To "lie all night" in it indicates an extended vigil, a prolonged period of lamentation, fasting, and intercession. This was not a private act but a public demonstration by the spiritual leaders, intended to set an example for the entire nation and to convey the profound gravity of their situation before God. It underscored their role as intercessors and their responsibility to lead the people in a desperate plea for divine mercy and restoration, acknowledging the severity of God's judgment and the nation's sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 1:13, with its desperate call for lament over the cessation of temple offerings, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The "meat offering" and "drink offering" were shadows, pointing to the perfect and complete sacrifice that would one day be offered. In Christ, the need for these repeated, material offerings is entirely superseded, for He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose [body was broken and blood poured out](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper") as the definitive and all-sufficient sacrifice for sin. The lament of Joel's day over the inability to approach God through offerings is replaced by the joy and confidence of believers who now have [bold access to the Father through Christ's blood](/hebrews/10-19-22 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Confidence to Enter the Holy Places"). Furthermore, while the priests of Joel's time were called to lead in lamentation, Christ, our [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest"), perfectly intercedes for us, having [sympathy with our weaknesses](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses") and offering Himself once for all. Our "offerings" now are not grain or wine, but spiritual sacrifices of [praise](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise"), [good deeds](/hebrews/13-16 "Hebrews 13:16 - Doing Good and Sharing"), and [our very lives](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice"), presented through Him. Thus, Joel's lament foreshadows the profound spiritual crisis of humanity separated from God, a crisis definitively resolved by Christ's atoning work, transforming a call to mourn into an invitation to worship Him who has opened the way to God forever.

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

Joel 1:8

¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.

Joel 1:9

The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.

Jeremiah 4:8

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.

Jeremiah 9:10

For the mountains will I take up a weeping and wailing, and for the habitations of the wilderness a lamentation, because they are burned up, so that none can pass through [them]; neither can [men] hear the voice of the cattle; both the fowl of the heavens and the beast are fled; they are gone.

1 Kings 21:27

And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.

Joel 2:17

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where [is] their God?

Jonah 3:5

¶ So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.