Joel 1:7

KJV

He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away; the branches thereof are made white.

KJV (with Strong's)

He hath laid {H7760} my vine {H1612} waste {H8047}, and barked {H7111} my fig tree {H8384}: he hath made it clean {H2834} bare {H2834}, and cast it away {H7993}; the branches {H8299} thereof are made white {H3835}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He has reduced my vines to waste, my fig trees to splinters - he plucked them bare, stripped their bark and left their branches white."

Berean Standard Bible

It has laid waste My grapevine and splintered My fig tree. It has stripped off the bark and thrown it away; the branches have turned white.

American Standard Version

He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig-tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 1:7 graphically portrays the catastrophic impact of a severe agricultural plague, most likely a locust invasion, upon the fertile landscape of Judah. The verse vividly depicts the complete devastation of essential crops, particularly the vine and fig tree, which were foundational to the region's economy and sustenance. This imagery of utter desolation underscores the profound loss and serves as a stark warning of divine judgment, setting the stage for the prophet Joel's urgent call for national lament and repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 1:7 is situated within the opening chapter of the Book of Joel, which immediately plunges the reader into a scene of unprecedented national catastrophe. The prophet addresses the elders and inhabitants of Judah, calling them to lament a disaster unlike any seen before. This verse specifically details the destructive work of the "he," referring to the locust plague described in [Joel 1:4](/joel/1-4 "Joel 1:4 - The Stages of the Locust Plague"), which has systematically consumed every green thing. The vivid portrayal of agricultural ruin serves to establish the severity of the crisis, prompting the subsequent calls for a solemn assembly and a return to the Lord found later in the book. It functions as the tangible evidence of the "Day of the Lord" beginning to unfold in a localized, yet devastating, manner.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, heavily reliant on its harvests for survival and prosperity. The vine and fig tree were not merely crops but symbols of blessing, peace, and national well-being, often appearing together in biblical imagery to represent a time of security and abundance (e.g., [1 Kings 4:25](/1_kings/4-25 "1 Kings 4:25 - Solomon's Reign of Peace")). The destruction of these staple crops, as described in Joel 1:7, meant economic ruin, widespread famine, and a direct threat to the very fabric of society. Such a plague would have been interpreted within the cultural framework of the time as a profound act of divine judgment or a clear sign of God's displeasure, demanding a communal response of repentance and seeking God's favor. The geographical setting of Judah, known for its vineyards and orchards, makes the devastation even more poignant.

* **Key Themes:** Joel 1:7 powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive throughout the book. The most prominent is **Agricultural Devastation**, where the complete ruin of the land's produce, particularly the symbolic vine and fig tree, signifies the stripping away of livelihood and national prosperity. This leads directly to the theme of **Utter Desolation**, conveyed through phrases like "laid my vine waste," "barked my fig tree," and "made it clean bare," culminating in the chilling image of "branches thereof are made white," signifying death and decay. While the immediate agent is the locust, this destruction is implicitly understood as a **Consequence of Judgment**. The scale and severity of the plague point to a divine hand, serving as a powerful catalyst for spiritual awakening and a call to genuine repentance, as exhorted by Joel in passages such as [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - A Call to Sincere Repentance"). The verse thus lays the groundwork for the book's overarching message: a catastrophic event serving as a prelude to the greater "Day of the Lord" and an urgent summons for the people to return wholeheartedly to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vine (Hebrew, _gephen'_):** From an unused root meaning "to bend," this word refers to a vine, especially the grape. In Joel 1:7, "my vine" emphasizes God's ownership and the preciousness of what has been destroyed. The vine was a primary agricultural product, symbolizing prosperity, joy, and the very lifeblood of the nation, making its devastation particularly grievous.
* **Made clean bare (Hebrew, _châsaph'_):** A primitive root meaning "to strip off" or "to make naked." This word conveys the thoroughness of the destruction. It's not just damaged; it's completely denuded, stripped of all its leaves, fruit, and bark, leaving nothing but a barren, exposed trunk and branches. This highlights the absolute and total nature of the plague's work.
* **Made white (Hebrew, _lâban'_):** A primitive root meaning "to be (or become) white." In this context, it signifies the bleaching and drying out of the branches after being stripped bare. This is not a sign of health or bloom, but rather the stark, lifeless appearance of dead wood, exposed to the sun and devoid of any vitality, serving as a powerful visual metaphor for utter desolation and death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He hath laid my vine waste":** This initial clause immediately establishes the destructive agent ("he," referring to the locust plague) and its primary target, the vine. The term "waste" (Hebrew, _shammâh'_) implies ruin and desolation, indicating that the vine, a source of joy and sustenance, has been utterly ruined, not merely damaged. The possessive "my" suggests God's perspective, emphasizing the destruction of what belonged to Him and was intended for His people's blessing.
* **"and barked my fig tree":** Following the vine, the fig tree, another vital crop and symbol of prosperity, is attacked. "Barked" (Hebrew, _qᵉtsâphâh'_) vividly describes the stripping of the tree's outer layer. This act is particularly damaging, as it leaves the tree vulnerable to disease and incapable of bearing fruit, signifying a complete and irrecoverable assault on its life source.
* **"he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away":** This phrase intensifies the description of destruction, applying to both the vine and fig tree. "Made it clean bare" (Hebrew, _châsaph'_) reiterates the thoroughness of the stripping, leaving nothing. "Cast [it] away" (Hebrew, _shâlak'_) implies a forceful rejection or abandonment, suggesting that what remains is useless, discarded, and beyond recovery, emphasizing the finality of the devastation.
* **"the branches thereof are made white":** The final clause offers a chilling visual summation of the destruction. The branches, once green and vibrant, are now "made white" (Hebrew, _lâban'_). This bleaching effect signifies that they are completely dried out, dead, and devoid of life, stripped of all leaves and bark by the scorching sun. It is an image of utter barrenness and hopelessness, confirming the total ruin of the agricultural landscape.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 1:7 is rich in **Imagery**, painting a vivid and visceral picture of agricultural devastation. The prophet employs strong verbs like "laid waste," "barked," "made clean bare," and "cast away" to convey the intensity and thoroughness of the destruction. The final image of "branches... made white" is particularly striking, using **Color Symbolism** to represent death, desolation, and the bleaching effect of the sun on lifeless wood. The cumulative effect of these descriptions creates a sense of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the unprecedented nature of the plague and the utter ruin it brings, thereby underscoring the severity of the divine judgment or warning. The verse also employs a form of **Personification** by attributing deliberate, destructive actions to the "he" (the locust plague), making the natural disaster seem like a conscious, malevolent force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 1:7 serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of earthly blessings and the profound consequences that can arise when a community deviates from God's ways. The complete stripping away of the land's bounty illustrates God's sovereign control over creation and His ability to use natural phenomena as instruments of judgment or as a call to repentance. This devastation is not merely an unfortunate natural disaster but a divine message, intended to humble the people, expose their reliance on material provisions, and redirect their hearts back to the Lord. It underscores the biblical principle that while God is gracious and merciful, He is also just and will allow circumstances to arise that prompt His people to re-evaluate their priorities and return to a right relationship with Him. The stripping of the vine and fig tree, symbols of Israel's covenant blessings, powerfully communicates the withdrawal of divine favor due to unfaithfulness.

* [Micah 4:4](/micah/4-4 "Micah 4:4 - Peace and Security Under One's Vine and Fig Tree")
* [Exodus 10:14](/exodus/10-14 "Exodus 10:14 - The Plague of Locusts in Egypt")
* [Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Rend Your Heart, Not Your Garments")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 1:7, though depicting an ancient agricultural catastrophe, resonates with timeless truths for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that our security and well-being are ultimately dependent on God, not on earthly provisions or material prosperity. When life's "vines" and "fig trees"—our sources of comfort, security, or identity—are stripped bare, it can be a painful but necessary process that reveals where our true trust lies. This stripping can be a divine invitation to re-evaluate our priorities, to lament what has been lost, and to turn wholeheartedly to the Lord, recognizing His sovereignty even in times of desolation. It challenges us to cultivate a faith that is not contingent on external circumstances but is rooted deeply in our relationship with the Creator, understanding that true abundance is found in Him alone.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vines" or "fig trees" in my life (e.g., career, relationships, health, financial security) do I tend to rely on more than God?**
* **How do I respond when these earthly blessings are "laid waste" or "stripped bare"? Is my first instinct to lament or to seek God?**
* **In what ways might current challenges or losses in my life be a call from God to deeper repentance or a re-focusing on eternal values?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that finds its ultimate security and joy in God, regardless of my outward circumstances?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "he" that lays the vine waste and barks the fig tree?**

Answer: While not explicitly named in this specific verse, the "he" refers to the devastating locust plague, which is the central focus of Joel 1. The prophet describes the locusts as an overwhelming, organized force, acting as an agent of destruction. Within the broader theological context of the book, this plague is understood as a manifestation of divine judgment or a severe warning from God, intended to call His people to repentance before the ultimate "Day of the Lord."

**What is the symbolic significance of the vine and fig tree in this context?**

Answer: The vine and fig tree were not just common crops in ancient Israel; they were profound symbols of prosperity, peace, and the covenant blessings God bestowed upon His people. To "sit under one's vine and fig tree" (e.g., [1 Kings 4:25](/1_kings/4-25 "1 Kings 4:25 - Solomon's Reign of Peace")) represented a time of security, abundance, and national well-being. Therefore, their utter destruction in Joel 1:7 signifies the stripping away of these blessings, representing economic ruin, famine, and a clear sign of divine displeasure or judgment against the nation.

**What does it mean for the branches to be "made white"?**

Answer: The phrase "the branches thereof are made white" is a vivid and chilling image of complete desolation. It signifies that the branches have been stripped bare of all leaves, fruit, and bark by the locusts, and then bleached by the sun. This "whiteness" is not a sign of life or bloom, but rather of death, dryness, and barrenness. It visually encapsulates the utter ruin of the trees, confirming that they are lifeless and beyond recovery, serving as a powerful metaphor for the complete destruction of the land's vitality.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 1:7, with its vivid depiction of a land stripped bare by judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The devastation of the vine and fig tree, symbols of Israel's earthly prosperity and covenant blessings, foreshadows the ultimate stripping away of human self-sufficiency and reliance on anything apart from God. Just as the physical vine was laid waste, humanity's attempts to find life and fruitfulness apart from God are ultimately barren. Christ, however, declares Himself to be the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine"), and His followers are the branches. True spiritual fruitfulness and life are found only by abiding in Him, not in earthly provisions or a superficial adherence to covenant. The severe judgment portrayed in Joel also points to the ultimate judgment for sin, which Christ bore on the cross. He became "bare" for us, stripped of His glory and life, so that we might be clothed in His righteousness and receive spiritual life. The call to repentance in Joel, prompted by the devastating plague, finds its ultimate and most gracious fulfillment in the Gospel's call to repent and believe in Christ for salvation ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Repent and Believe the Gospel")). Furthermore, the "Day of the Lord" that Joel prophesies, a day of darkness and judgment, ultimately culminates in the return of Christ, who will bring final judgment upon sin and establish His eternal kingdom, where true and everlasting fruitfulness will abound for those who are in Him ([Revelation 22:2](/revelation/22-2 "Revelation 22:2 - The Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem")).

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

Amos 4:9

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.

Isaiah 5:6

And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.

Joel 1:12

The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, [even] all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

Exodus 10:15

For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.

Hosea 2:12

And I will destroy her vines and her fig trees, whereof she hath said, These [are] my rewards that my lovers have given me: and I will make them a forest, and the beasts of the field shall eat them.

Habakkuk 3:17

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:

Jeremiah 8:13

¶ I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: [there shall be] no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and [the things that] I have given them shall pass away from them.