Old Testament

Joel 1:5

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, the prophet Joel calls out to those who indulge in alcohol, urging them to wake up from their stupor and recognize the seriousness of their situation.

Author: Joel the prophet
Written: Date debated (around 835 or 500 BC)
Genre: Prophecy
Original Audience: The kingdom of Judah

CBTClear Bible Translation

Wake up, you drunkards, and weep; and howl, all you drinkers of wine, because the new wine is cut off from your mouth.

KJVKing James Version

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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, the prophet Joel calls out to those who indulge in alcohol, urging them to wake up from their stupor and recognize the seriousness of their situation. The new wine, which symbolizes joy and celebration, has been taken away, indicating a time of mourning and loss. This message serves as a wake-up call to the people, highlighting the consequences of their actions and the impending judgment they face. The loss of new wine signifies not just a physical scarcity but also a spiritual crisis, as the people are encouraged to weep and howl in response to their dire circumstances. Joel's words emphasize the need for repentance and awareness of the consequences of sin, urging the community to reflect on their behavior and its impact on their relationship with God.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Joel 1:5 to your life

This verse reminds us to be aware of our actions and their consequences. Just as Joel called the drunkards to wake up, we too should examine our lives for areas where we may be spiritually asleep. It encourages us to seek repentance and turn back to God, recognizing the importance of our choices.

Curated for this public verse page. Joel Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Joel 1:5 mean?

Joel 1:5 calls out to those who drink alcohol, urging them to wake up and recognize the seriousness of their situation. The verse indicates that the new wine, which symbolizes joy, has been taken away, signaling a time of mourning and loss.

What is the significance of new wine in Joel 1:5?

In Joel 1:5, new wine represents joy and celebration. Its absence signifies not only a physical scarcity but also a spiritual crisis, highlighting the consequences of the people's actions and their need for repentance.

How does Joel 1:5 relate to spiritual awakening?

Joel 1:5 relates to spiritual awakening by calling people to recognize their spiritual slumber and the seriousness of their actions. It encourages them to reflect on their behavior and its impact on their relationship with God.

What themes are present in Joel 1:5?

The themes in Joel 1:5 include repentance, the consequences of sin, spiritual awakening, loss and mourning, and a call to action. These themes highlight the need for self-examination and turning back to God.

Book Summary

The Book of Joel

Joel 1: The Locust Plague and Call to Mourning

Joel delivers the word of the LORD and calls the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to listen. He asks whether such a disaster has ever happened and commands them to tell it to future generations. He describes successive waves of locusts that strip the land bare until nothing remains. Vineyards and fig trees are ruined, and the bark is stripped from the trees.

Joel tells the drunkards to wake up and weep because the new wine is cut off. He describes a powerful nation coming against the land, strong and without number, devouring everything like a lion. The grain, wine, and oil fail, and the fields are wasted. Farmers are ashamed, and joy dries up among the people. Joel calls the priests to put on sackcloth and mourn because the offerings are cut off from the house of the LORD. He commands them to sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders, and cry out to the LORD. He announces that the day of the LORD is near and describes it as destruction from the Almighty. Crops fail, storehouses lie empty, animals groan for lack of pasture, and even the beasts cry to the LORD as fire consumes the land. Joel 2: The Day of the LORD and the Promise of the Spirit Joel commands that a trumpet be blown in Zion because the day of the LORD is near. He describes it as a day of darkness and gloom. A great and powerful army spreads over the land. Before them the land is like Eden, but behind them it is a desolate wilderness. They run like horsemen, climb walls, and enter houses without breaking ranks. The earth quakes, the heavens tremble, and the sun and moon grow dark. Joel declares that the LORD gives His voice before His army, and the day of the LORD is great and very terrible. The LORD calls the people to return to Him with all their heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. He commands them to rend their hearts and not their garments. The priests are to weep between the porch and the altar and ask the LORD to spare His people and not make them a reproach.

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