Joel 1:5
Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֵילִ֖לוּ
and howl
H3213
וְהֵילִ֖לוּ
and howl
Strong's:
H3213
Word #:
4 of 12
to howl (with a wailing tone) or yell (with a boisterous one)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 12
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עָסִ֕יס
because of the new wine
H6071
עָסִ֕יס
because of the new wine
Strong's:
H6071
Word #:
9 of 12
must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 12
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Ancient Israel's agricultural economy made wine a staple beverage, safer than potentially contaminated water and central to daily meals, festivals, and worship (Psalm 104:15). Wine symbolized joy and prosperity. The locust plague's devastation of grapevines meant economic loss and removal of celebration. Joel's address to drunkards may target the wealthy who had leisure for excessive drinking—a class repeatedly confronted for complacency.
Questions for Reflection
- What temporal comforts might God remove to awaken you from spiritual complacency?
- How does loss of earthly enjoyments reveal what your heart truly treasures?
Analysis & Commentary
Joel commands drunkards to "Awake" and "weep," addressing those spiritually asleep in self-indulgence. The Hebrew quwts ("awake") indicates urgent arousal from stupor. The phrase "all ye drinkers of wine" doesn't merely describe social drinking but those whose lives center on pleasure and comfort. Joel targets complacency—the spiritual danger of being absorbed in earthly enjoyments while ignoring covenant obligations. The reason for weeping: "it is cut off from your mouth." The locust invasion destroyed vineyards, ending wine production. When God removes temporal comforts, He exposes what we truly worship. The Reformed doctrine of common grace teaches that God gives unbelievers temporal blessings not as reward but as kindness intended to lead to repentance (Romans 2:4). When withdrawn, these reveal both God's sovereignty and humanity's dependence.