Joel 1:9
The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.
Original Language Analysis
הָכְרַ֥ת
is cut off
H3772
הָכְרַ֥ת
is cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 9
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
מִנְחָ֛ה
The meat offering
H4503
מִנְחָ֛ה
The meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
2 of 9
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
מִבֵּ֣ית
from the house
H1004
מִבֵּ֣ית
from the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 9
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
the priests
H3548
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
7 of 9
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Cross References
Joel 2:17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?Joel 2:14Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?Joel 1:13Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.Hosea 9:4They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.Isaiah 61:6But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Historical Context
Daily temple worship required grain, wine, oil, and animals—all dependent on agricultural productivity (Numbers 28-29). The locust plague eliminated these materials, halting sacrificial system. This anticipated later disruptions: Babylonian destruction of the temple (586 BC), cessation of sacrifices during exile, and ultimately Christ's fulfillment and abolition of the entire sacrificial system. Jesus is the true grain offering—the bread of life. His blood replaces drink offerings. In Him, the shadows find substance (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 10:1-18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that worship depends on God's provision humble religious pride?
- In what ways do we try to manufacture worship through human effort rather than receiving it as divine gift?
Analysis & Commentary
"The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD" describes cessation of temple worship. The grain offering (minchah) and drink offering (nesek) accompanied sacrifices, representing thanksgiving and devotion. Without agricultural products, prescribed worship became impossible. This crisis forced recognition: worship depends entirely on God's provision. The phrase "the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn" shows that even religious professionals were helpless. They couldn't manufacture substitutes or continue "business as usual." This exposes a perennial danger: treating worship as human religious activity rather than God-enabled response to His grace. The Reformed understanding emphasizes that all worship originates with God—He provides both the means (Christ's sacrifice) and the enablement (the Spirit). Apart from divine provision, no acceptable worship exists (John 4:23-24, Hebrews 10:19-22).