Joel 1:19
What does Joel 1:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 1:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 1:19 means
Joel breaks into prayer: “O Jehovah, to thee do I cry,” because fire has devoured the pastures and flames have burned the trees. Whether literal wildfire or the scorching effect of drought, the imagery conveys comprehensive, consuming judgment. The prophet models the right response—turning from analysis to appeal. He names the Lord personally, acknowledging that only He can quench this burning and heal the land. Prayer owns God’s sovereignty over both calamity and restoration. By praying publicly, Joel leads the nation into dependence, teaching them to entrust their barren fields and charred trees to the One who made them.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O Jehovah, to thee do I cry; for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O Jehovah, to thee do I cry; for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O Lord, my cry goes up to you: for fire has put an end to the grass-lands of the waste, and all the trees of the field are burned with its flame.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Unto Thee, O Jehovah, I do call, For fire hath consumed comely places of a wilderness, And a flame hath set on fire all trees of the field.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752To thee, O Lord, will I cry: because fire hath devoured the beautiful places of the wilderness: and the flame hath burnt all the trees of the country.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890To thee, Jehovah, do I cry; for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned up all the trees of the field.
Context
Following the catalog of suffering, Joel now exemplifies the response he has been summoning: direct, earnest prayer. He describes the devastation in God’s presence, not to inform the Omniscient but to align the community’s heart with reality and their hope with God. The final verse will extend this prayerful posture by noting even the beasts pant to God amid dried-up watercourses. The chapter thus concludes with creation’s collective plea, setting the stage for the intensified calls and eventual promises in chapter 2.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
- Luke 18:1
And he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint;
- Psalms 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
- Amos 7:4
Thus the Lord Jehovah showed me: and, behold, the Lord Jehovah called to contend by fire; and it devoured the great deep, and would have eaten up the land.
- Psalms 91:15
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and honor him.
- Joel 2:3
A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them.
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