Joel 1:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Awake {H6974}, ye drunkards {H7910}, and weep {H1058}; and howl {H3213}, all ye drinkers {H8354} of wine {H3196}, because of the new wine {H6071}; for it is cut off {H3772} from your mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Wake up, drunkards, and weep! wail, all you who drink wine, because the juice of the grape will be withheld from your mouth.

Berean Standard Bible

Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; wail, all you drinkers of wine, because of the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 1:5 delivers a potent prophetic summons to those engrossed in self-indulgence and revelry—the "drunkards" and "drinkers of wine"—commanding them to awaken from their stupor, weep, and howl. This urgent call to lamentation is provoked by the devastating loss of "new wine," a symbol of the land's prosperity and their earthly joy, which has been completely cut off, signifying a profound disruption of their accustomed pleasures and a direct consequence of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 1:5 is situated within the opening chapter of the prophet Joel's book, which vividly describes an unprecedented and catastrophic locust plague, followed by a severe drought, that has utterly devastated the land of Judah. This calamity is presented not merely as a natural disaster but as a direct act of divine judgment, a precursor to the "day of the LORD" ([Joel 1:15](/joel/1-15 "Joel 1:15 - The Day of the LORD is Near")). The preceding verses (Joel 1:2-4) establish the unparalleled nature of the destruction, urging the elders and inhabitants to consider its magnitude. Verse 5 specifically targets a segment of society—the revelers—highlighting how even their deepest earthly pleasures have been stripped away, thereby compelling a universal call to lamentation that will extend to priests, farmers, and all inhabitants in the verses that follow ([Joel 1:8-13](/joel/1-8-13 "Joel 1:8-13 - Call to Lamentation for All")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is ancient Judah, an agrarian society heavily dependent on its crops, particularly grain, new wine, and olive oil, for sustenance, economy, and celebration. "New wine" (`ʻâçîyç`) was a staple agricultural product and a significant source of joy, often associated with festivals and prosperity. Its abundance was seen as a blessing from God, while its absence signified hardship and divine displeasure. The act of "drinking wine" was a common cultural practice, but "drunkards" (`shikkôwr`) refer to those who indulged excessively, perhaps to the point of spiritual complacency or moral laxity. The call to "weep" and "howl" reflects the ancient Near Eastern cultural practice of public lamentation, a profound expression of grief and often a prelude to repentance in times of national crisis or mourning. The devastation described would have had immediate and severe economic, social, and spiritual repercussions for all levels of society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joel. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Consequence**, illustrating how God uses natural calamities as instruments of correction, directly impacting even the most entrenched forms of human indulgence. The loss of the "new wine" is a tangible consequence of the plague, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in bringing about hardship to prompt a spiritual reckoning. Secondly, it embodies a profound **Call to Spiritual Awakening**. The imperative "Awake!" is not merely a literal command to sobriety but a spiritual imperative to shake off complacency, recognize the gravity of the unfolding crisis, and turn from oblivious self-indulgence to urgent repentance and discernment. This resonates with broader biblical calls for spiritual vigilance, such as the admonition to "wake up from your slumber" found in [Romans 13:11](/romans/13-11 "Romans 13:11 - It is Time to Wake Up"). Lastly, the verse highlights the **Loss of Joy and Sustenance**. "New wine" symbolized abundance, prosperity, and joy in ancient Israel. Its absence signifies not only economic devastation but also the cessation of celebration and the deep sorrow that accompanies such loss, emphasizing that true and lasting joy cannot be found in fleeting earthly pleasures.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Awake (Hebrew, _qûwts'_):** This primitive root signifies "to awake (literally or figuratively); arise, (be) (a-) wake, watch." In Joel 1:5, it functions as a sharp imperative, commanding a sudden cessation of spiritual lethargy and a forceful recognition of the dire reality. It implies a jolt from a state of unawareness or stupor, urging immediate attention to the unfolding crisis.
* **New wine (Hebrew, _ʻâçîyç'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to tread out," this term refers to "must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out); juice, new (sweet) wine." Unlike fermented wine (`yayin`), `ʻâçîyç` specifically denotes the unfermented, freshly pressed juice, symbolizing the first fruits of the harvest and thus, the very essence of agricultural prosperity, abundance, and the joy associated with a successful yield. Its loss represents a complete disruption of the agricultural cycle and a profound blow to the nation's well-being and celebrations.
* **Cut off (Hebrew, _kârath'_):** This primitive root means "to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant." In this context, it powerfully conveys the complete and irreversible cessation or removal of the new wine. It emphasizes the finality of the loss, leaving no hope for its immediate return and underscoring the severity of the judgment that has severed this vital source of sustenance and pleasure from the people's mouths.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Awake, ye drunkards, and weep;":** The prophet issues a direct, urgent, and ironic command to those most steeped in pleasure and oblivious to the crisis. The "drunkards" (`shikkôwr`) are called to "awake" (`qûwts`) from their literal and spiritual stupor, not to continue their revelry, but to engage in profound lamentation. The command to "weep" (`bâkâh`) signifies a deep, sorrowful response, a stark contrast to their previous state of merriment.
* **"and howl, all ye drinkers of wine,":** This clause reinforces the previous command through parallelism, extending the call to lamentation to "all ye drinkers of wine" (`shâthâh`), broadening the scope beyond just the habitually intoxicated to anyone whose life revolved around this pleasure. "Howl" (`yâlal`) suggests a louder, more public, and desperate cry of anguish, indicative of extreme distress and loss.
* **"because of the new wine;":** This phrase provides the explicit reason for the commanded lamentation. The "new wine" (`ʻâçîyç`), a symbol of joy, prosperity, and the fruit of the land, is the object of their loss. The reason is concrete and directly impacts their sensory experience and livelihood.
* **"for it is cut off from your mouth.":** This final clause explains the ultimate consequence: the new wine is "cut off" (`kârath`), implying a complete and devastating cessation of its availability. The phrase "from your mouth" is poignant, highlighting the direct and personal impact of this loss—it is no longer available for consumption, symbolizing the end of their revelry and a profound deprivation.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 1:5 employs several potent **Literative Devices** to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is the **Imperative Mood**, seen in the repeated commands "Awake," "weep," and "howl." These direct, forceful verbs create a sense of immediacy and non-negotiable urgency, demanding an abrupt shift from complacency to lamentation. **Parallelism** is also evident in the structure, particularly between "Awake, ye drunkards, and weep" and "howl, all ye drinkers of wine." This rhetorical technique reinforces the message by repeating it in slightly varied but synonymous phrases, broadening the target audience and intensifying the call to lament. **Irony** is powerfully present, as those whose lives are characterized by joy and indulgence are now commanded to express the deepest sorrow. Their usual source of pleasure, "new wine," becomes the very reason for their anguish. Finally, **Symbolism** is central, with "new wine" representing not just a beverage but the broader blessings of agricultural abundance, prosperity, and the associated joy and celebration. Its being "cut off" symbolizes the complete withdrawal of these blessings and the onset of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 1:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of divine judgment and the call to repentance. It vividly illustrates that God, in His sovereignty, can withdraw blessings and disrupt human complacency to draw His people back to Himself. The loss of earthly pleasures, even those considered benign, becomes a catalyst for spiritual awakening, forcing individuals to confront their dependence on temporal comforts rather than on the Lord. This verse highlights the biblical principle that true joy and security are not found in material abundance or self-indulgence, but in a right relationship with God and obedience to His commands. The forced lamentation is a necessary step towards humility and a reorientation of priorities, demonstrating that God's discipline, though painful, is ultimately redemptive, aiming to restore His people to a state of spiritual sobriety and dependence.

* [Isaiah 24:7-9](/isaiah/24-7-9 "Isaiah 24:7-9 - The Mourning of the Land")
* [Lamentations 1:16](/lamentations/1-16 "Lamentations 1:16 - Jerusalem Weeps")
* [Hosea 2:8-9](/hosea/2-8-9 "Hosea 2:8-9 - God's Withdrawal of Blessings")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 1:5 remains remarkably relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless warning against spiritual apathy and excessive indulgence in worldly pleasures. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of spiritual alertness, recognizing that our ultimate joy and security are not to be found in fleeting earthly comforts or material possessions. When blessings are withdrawn, or hardships arise in our lives, this verse calls us to examine our priorities and dependence, prompting us to ask if we have become "drunk" on the world's offerings, oblivious to God's hand at work or His call to deeper communion. The appropriate response to such divine discipline is not despair or anger, but a genuine lamentation that leads to repentance and a turning back to God. It encourages us to discern the "signs of the times" and to respond with humility and a renewed commitment to spiritual sobriety, understanding that true life and lasting satisfaction are found only in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "drunk" or complacent, allowing earthly pleasures to dull my spiritual senses?**
* **How do I typically respond when blessings are withdrawn or when I face significant loss? Is my first response lamentation and turning to God, or something else?**
* **What does "new wine" symbolize in my own life—what are the sources of joy or comfort that I might be prioritizing over my relationship with God?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sense of spiritual "awakening" and discernment in my daily life, recognizing God's hand in both abundance and hardship?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "new wine" being "cut off" in this verse?**

Answer: The "new wine" (`ʻâçîyç`) in Joel 1:5 refers to freshly pressed grape juice, symbolizing the first fruits of the harvest and, by extension, the agricultural prosperity, abundance, and joy associated with a successful yield in ancient Israel. Its being "cut off" (`kârath`) signifies a complete and devastating cessation of its availability. This is not merely an economic hardship but a profound spiritual blow. It represents God's direct judgment, where He withdraws the very source of the people's earthly pleasure and sustenance. This act forces them to confront their spiritual complacency and dependence on material blessings, compelling them to lament and, ideally, to turn back to the Lord. The loss of "new wine" is a tangible demonstration that their joy and security, which they had placed in earthly things, are fleeting and subject to divine intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 1:5, with its urgent call to awaken from spiritual stupor and lament the loss of earthly pleasures, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While the "new wine" in Joel represented temporal joy and sustenance, Christ offers an eternal and superior "new wine" of the Spirit, a joy that is not dependent on earthly circumstances. Jesus Himself speaks of "new wine" requiring "new wineskins" ([Matthew 9:17](/matthew/9-17 "Matthew 9:17 - New Wine in New Wineskins")), symbolizing the radical new covenant and spiritual life He brings, which cannot be contained by old, rigid religious forms. The call to "awake" from a drunken stupor foreshadows the New Testament's consistent call to spiritual vigilance and sobriety in Christ ([1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober-Minded")), urging believers to live in awareness of God's kingdom rather than being dulled by worldly pursuits. Ultimately, the "cutting off" of earthly pleasures in Joel points to the truth that true satisfaction and eternal life are not found in the fleeting joys of this world but in the ultimate sacrifice of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood is the "new covenant in My blood" ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in His Blood")). He is the true source of joy and sustenance, offering living water and bread from heaven, ensuring that those who feast on Him will never hunger or thirst again ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")).

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

James 5:1

¶ Go to now, [ye] rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon [you].

Luke 21:34

And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

Luke 21:36

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Isaiah 32:10

Many days and years shall ye be troubled, ye careless women: for the vintage shall fail, the gathering shall not come.

Isaiah 32:12

They shall lament for the teats, for the pleasant fields, for the fruitful vine.

Isaiah 24:7

The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.

Isaiah 24:11

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