Joel 1:11
Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished.
Original Language Analysis
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ
H954
הֹבִ֣ישׁוּ
Strong's:
H954
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, to pale, i.e., by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be disappointed or delayed
הֵילִ֙ילוּ֙
howl
H3213
הֵילִ֙ילוּ֙
howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
3 of 12
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
7 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָבַ֖ד
is perished
H6
אָבַ֖ד
is perished
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
10 of 12
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
Cross References
Isaiah 17:11In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.Jeremiah 9:12Who is the wise man, that may understand this? and who is he to whom the mouth of the LORD hath spoken, that he may declare it, for what the land perisheth and is burned up like a wilderness, that none passeth through?
Historical Context
Ancient agriculture depended entirely on rainfall, soil fertility, and absence of pests—all beyond human control. A locust plague could devastate years of labor in hours. The covenant explicitly linked agricultural prosperity to obedience (Leviticus 26:3-5, Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and failure to disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-24). This wasn't mechanical cause-effect but covenantal relationship—God blesses faithfulness, withdraws blessing from rebellion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that success depends on God's blessing, not just hard work, combat both pride and despair?
- In what ways do modern people presume control over outcomes that ultimately depend on divine providence?
Analysis & Commentary
"Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers" commands farmers to lament. The Hebrew bosh (ashamed) indicates confusion, disappointment, and recognition of failure. Farmers who worked diligently now face total crop failure—not due to laziness but divine judgment. "For the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished" lists staple grains destroyed. Wheat and barley provided bread—the staff of life. Their loss meant famine. This teaches that human labor, however diligent, cannot succeed apart from God's blessing (Psalm 127:1-2). The Reformed doctrine of providence affirms God's active governance over all events, including weather, harvests, and economic outcomes. Success isn't automatic reward for effort—it's gift from God who causes growth (1 Corinthians 3:7).