Joel 1:18
What does Joel 1:18 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 1:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 1:18 means
Even the animals are distressed: cattle groan and wander in confusion for lack of pasture; sheep flocks suffer. Creation shares in the people’s plight when God withholds rain and produce. The verse evokes compassion and reminds the people that their sin and God’s discipline have ripple effects beyond human circles. This groaning is a nonverbal cry that calls humans to pray. If beasts feel the lack, how much more should the covenant community lift their voice to Jehovah. Joel’s inclusion of animal suffering broadens the case he will now lay before God, appealing to His pity for all He has made.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
KJV
King James Version · 1611How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949What sounds of pain come from the beasts! the herds of cattle are at a loss because there is no grass for them; even the flocks of sheep are no longer to be seen.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862How have cattle sighed! Perplexed have been droves of oxen, For there is no pasture for them, Also droves of sheep have been desolated.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Why did the beasts groan, why did the herds of cattle low? because there is no pasture for them: yea, and the flocks of sheep are perished.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890How do the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are bewildered, for they have no pasture; the flocks of sheep also are in suffering.
Context
After tracing human and agricultural losses, Joel now shows the crisis in the animal realm. This widening circle of suffering sets up the prophet’s personal prayer in the next verse. The flow teaches that accurate lament gathers all evidence of need and brings it to God. Verses 19–20 will move from description to petition, addressing Jehovah directly and acknowledging the fiery drought and dried streams. The chapter will end not with solutions but with a cry, preparing for the further summons and promises in the next chapter.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 18:5
And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go through the land, unto all the fountains of water, and unto all the brooks: peradventure we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
- Jeremiah 12:4
How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of the whole country wither? for the wickedness of them that dwell therein, the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our latter end.
- Hosea 4:3
Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
- Joel 1:20
Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto thee; for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.
- Jeremiah 14:5
Yea, the hind also in the field calveth, and forsaketh her young, because there is no grass.
- Romans 8:22
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
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