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.
Original Language Analysis
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
are withered
H3001
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
are withered
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
2 of 18
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
רִמּ֞וֹן
the pomegranate
H7416
רִמּ֞וֹן
the pomegranate
Strong's:
H7416
Word #:
5 of 18
a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
וְתַפּ֗וּחַ
also and the apple tree
H8598
וְתַפּ֗וּחַ
also and the apple tree
Strong's:
H8598
Word #:
8 of 18
an apple (from its fragrance), i.e., the fruit or the tree (probably including others of the pome order, as the quince, the orange, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עֲצֵ֤י
even all the trees
H6086
עֲצֵ֤י
even all the trees
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
10 of 18
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
are withered
H3001
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
are withered
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
12 of 18
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
are withered
H3001
הֹבִ֥ישׁ
are withered
Strong's:
H3001
Word #:
14 of 18
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Cross References
Isaiah 24:11There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.Isaiah 16:10And gladness is taken away, and joy out of the plentiful field; and in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting: the treaders shall tread out no wine in their presses; I have made their vintage shouting to cease.Joel 1:16Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?Joel 1:10The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth.Song of Solomon 2:3As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.Isaiah 9:3Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.Psalms 92:12The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.Psalms 4:7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.Jeremiah 48:33And joy and gladness is taken from the plentiful field, and from the land of Moab; and I have caused wine to fail from the winepresses: none shall tread with shouting; their shouting shall be no shouting.Jeremiah 48:3A voice of crying shall be from Horonaim, spoiling and great destruction.
Historical Context
The listed trees—vine, fig, pomegranate, palm, apple—were Israel's primary fruit sources, each with symbolic significance. The vine represented Israel (Psalm 80:8-16, Isaiah 5:1-7), the fig tree peace and prosperity (1 Kings 4:25), the pomegranate and palm abundance. Their collective failure symbolized comprehensive covenant curse. This imagery would have been viscerally powerful to an agricultural society whose survival depended on these crops.
Questions for Reflection
- Where do you seek joy—in God Himself or in gifts He provides?
- How does loss of temporal blessings reveal whether your faith rests in God or His benefits?
Analysis & Commentary
"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" catalogs comprehensive agricultural devastation. Every fruit tree fails. The final clause is devastating: "because joy is withered away from the sons of men." The Hebrew chabash (withered/dried up) used for trees now describes human joy—when God withdraws blessings, joy disappears. This teaches that true joy depends on God's favor, not circumstances. Fallen humanity seeks joy in creation (food, drink, pleasure) rather than Creator. When God removes these secondary goods, He exposes the bankruptcy of idolatry—created things cannot satisfy. Only God Himself brings lasting joy (Psalm 16:11, John 15:11).