Joel 1:4

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.

That which the palmerworm {H1501} hath left {H3499} hath the locust {H697} eaten {H398}; and that which the locust {H697} hath left {H3499} hath the cankerworm {H3218} eaten {H398}; and that which the cankerworm {H3218} hath left {H3499} hath the caterpiller {H2625} eaten {H398}.

What the cutter-worms left, the locusts ate; what the locusts left, the grasshoppers ate; what the grasshoppers left, the shearer-worms ate.

What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten.

That which the palmer-worm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the canker-worm eaten; and that which the canker-worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.

Commentary

Joel 1:4 vividly describes a scene of utter agricultural devastation, setting the stage for the prophet Joel's urgent message to Judah. This verse paints a picture of successive waves of destruction, where each type of insect consumes what the previous one left behind, leaving nothing untouched.

Context of Joel 1:4

The Book of Joel opens with a dire account of a catastrophic locust plague and an accompanying drought. These events are presented not merely as natural disasters but as potent signs of divine judgment, foreshadowing the greater "Day of the Lord". For an agricultural society like ancient Israel, a locust invasion meant immediate famine and economic ruin, striking at the very heart of their sustenance. This verse serves as a powerful opening statement, emphasizing the unparalleled severity of the crisis. Similar devastating plagues are recorded elsewhere in scripture, such as the locust plague sent upon Egypt in Exodus, highlighting God's power over creation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Total Devastation: The primary message is the completeness of the destruction. The repetition of "that which... hath left" underscores that no crop, no food source, survived the onslaught. It implies an overwhelming and inescapable ruin.
  • Progressive Judgment: The successive nature of the insect attacks suggests a compounding judgment. What one plague didn't destroy, another finished, indicating a thorough and relentless divine hand at work.
  • Call to Repentance: While not explicit in this single verse, the intensity of the plague serves as a severe warning, designed to awaken the people to their spiritual condition and prompt a corporate call for repentance, which is the central theme of Joel's prophecy.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Though a natural phenomenon, the plague is presented as an orchestrated event by God, demonstrating His absolute control over creation and His use of natural forces to achieve His purposes.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates four distinct Hebrew terms for insects in this verse:

  • Palmerworm (Heb. gazam): Likely a cutting or gnawing locust, perhaps in its larval stage.
  • Locust (Heb. arbeh): The most common term for a swarm locust, known for its migratory and devastating swarms.
  • Cankerworm (Heb. yeleq): Often understood as a licking or devouring locust, possibly a young, winged locust.
  • Caterpiller (Heb. chasil): A consuming or finishing locust, perhaps a wingless or immature stage.

While distinct, these terms may refer to different stages of the locust's development or various types of locusts, all contributing to the same cumulative destruction. The emphasis is not on scientific classification but on the totality of the agricultural ruin brought by these successive waves of pests.

Practical Application

Joel 1:4 offers timeless lessons for contemporary life:

  • Addressing Root Issues: Just as the locusts left nothing, unaddressed spiritual or moral issues can cumulatively destroy one's life, relationships, or community. It's a call to examine and repent of underlying problems before they lead to complete desolation.
  • Recognizing Warnings: God often sends warnings, sometimes through difficult circumstances, to draw people back to Himself. This verse reminds us to heed such signs and respond with humility and repentance.
  • The Severity of Consequences: The verse illustrates that disobedience or spiritual apathy can have severe and progressive consequences. What starts small can grow into an overwhelming problem if left unchecked.

This verse, though describing an ancient agricultural disaster, powerfully conveys the concept of escalating judgment and the need for immediate spiritual response to divine warnings.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joel 2:25 (14 votes)

    And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

  • Amos 4:9 (10 votes)

    I have smitten you with blasting and mildew: when your gardens and your vineyards and your fig trees and your olive trees increased, the palmerworm devoured [them]: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

  • Amos 7:1 (7 votes)

    ¶ Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, [it was] the latter growth after the king's mowings.

  • Isaiah 33:4 (7 votes)

    And your spoil shall be gathered [like] the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.

  • Exodus 10:4 (7 votes)

    Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:

  • Psalms 78:46 (7 votes)

    He gave also their increase unto the caterpiller, and their labour unto the locust.

  • Deuteronomy 28:38 (6 votes)

    Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather [but] little in; for the locust shall consume it.