The land is bidden to mourn as bitterly as a maiden mourning her betrothed, dead ere the marriage day. For most terrible consequence of the famine caused by the locusts no corn, wine, or oil can be had for the daily sacrifice, which is interrupted. Such a suspension, which seemed to snap the link between Yahweh and His people, occurred during the siege of Jerusalem by the Romans, and was regarded as an appalling omen. The land and its tillers alike bewail (read mg. Joel 1:11) the blasting of corn and fruit. In a word, all joy is vanished.

Joel 1:8. husband: a betrothal with the Jews is counted as marriage.

Joel 1:9. the Lord's ministers: possibly emend to the ministers of the altar.

Joel 1:10. Contains several word-plays. dried up: the verb is the same as that rendered be ashamed (Joel 1:11) and withered (Joel 1:12); of persons it means to stand abashed, of things to fail, miscarry.

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