Joel 1:16
What does Joel 1:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 1:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 1:16 means
Joel poses a piercing question: isn’t food cut off before our eyes, and joy and gladness from the house of our God? The people cannot deny what they see: empty tables and silent worship services. The verse links physical deprivation with liturgical sorrow; without grain and wine there is no festal joy before Jehovah. This drives home that sin’s consequences are holistic, touching both daily life and sacred assembly. The prophet wants the community to feel the loss in both realms so that their cry to God will be earnest and comprehensive, seeking restoration of provision and renewed delight in His presence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Is not the food cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Is not the food cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Is not food cut off before our eyes? joy and delight from the house of our God?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Is not before our eyes food cut off? From the house of our God joy and rejoicing?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Is not your food cut off before your eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of ourGod?
Context
Having announced the nearness of Jehovah’s day, Joel presses the evidence of current judgment. This verse bridges theology and experience: what God warned is visibly happening. The following verse will continue with agricultural breakdown—rotting seed, empty storehouses, collapsing barns—intensifying the sense of helplessness. Soon the focus will broaden to include the groaning of beasts, and then Joel will model prayer himself. The narrative gathers threads of loss into a single plea, showing the proper response to evident chastening is humble, urgent prayer.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 43:4
Then will I go unto the altar of God, Unto God my exceeding joy; And upon the harp will I praise thee, O God, my God.
- Joel 1:13
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.
- Deuteronomy 12:11
then it shall come to pass that to the place which Jehovah your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto Jehovah.
- Isaiah 62:8
Jehovah hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy grain to be food for thine enemies; and foreigners shall not drink thy new wine, for which thou hast labored:
- Joel 1:5
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.
- Psalms 105:3
Glory ye in his holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek Jehovah.
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