Joel 1:18
How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.
Original Language Analysis
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
בְהֵמָ֗ה
How do the beasts
H929
בְהֵמָ֗ה
How do the beasts
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
3 of 14
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
בָקָ֔ר
of cattle
H1241
בָקָ֔ר
of cattle
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
6 of 14
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִרְעֶ֖ה
because they have no pasture
H4829
מִרְעֶ֖ה
because they have no pasture
Strong's:
H4829
Word #:
9 of 14
pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
Jeremiah 12:4How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.Hosea 4:3Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.
Historical Context
Israel's economy depended on mixed agriculture and pastoralism. Deuteronomy 8:7-9 promised a land of grain, vines, flocks, and herds. Locust plagues destroyed this integrated system. Historical records (e.g., Pliny's Natural History) document devastating locust swarms in the ancient Near East that could strip entire regions bare within days.
Questions for Reflection
- How does animal suffering due to human sin illustrate the cosmic scope of the fall?
- What does creation's 'groaning' (Romans 8:22) teach about God's plan to redeem not just souls but all creation?
- Where do you see innocent parties suffering consequences of others' sins, and how does this point to Christ's substitutionary atonement?
Analysis & Commentary
How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed (mah ne'enechah behemah nivoku edrei baqar)—Even animals suffer the consequences of human sin. 'Groan' (ne'enechah) and 'perplexed' (nivoku) personify animal distress. Romans 8:19-22 teaches that creation itself groans under sin's curse, awaiting redemption.
Because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate (ki ein lahem mir'eh gam-edrei ha-tson ne'shamu)—Locusts consumed all vegetation, leaving nothing for livestock. The Hebrew ne'shamu (made desolate) uses the same root as 1:17's 'garners are laid desolate,' emphasizing total devastation. Innocent animals suffer for human covenant-breaking—a sobering picture of sin's ripple effects through creation.