Joel 1

Joel 1:2

YE old men] who by reason of your old age, have seen and heard many things.

Joel 1:4

The Locust] A description of a most great spoile made by these small vermine; which joyned with an extreme drought, had caused a most cruell dearth.

Joel 1:6

A Nation] A terme unproperly attributed to those insects, Proverbs 30:25-26.

Joel 1:7

Cast it away] having thus made them unprofitable, men care not now for dressing them; or to looke for any fruit from them.

Joel 1:8

Lament] O thou Jerusalem, or Judea! A virgin] espoused, and not yet had home: or presently after her espousals.

Joel 1:9

The meat offering] the extreme dearth hinders them from furnishing the sacred offerings with Bread, Wine, and Oyle, &c. See Exodus 29:40. Leviticus 2:1 Mourne] partly, because Gods service is interrupted; partly also, because they want their ordinary food, which they got from the offerings and sacrifices.

Joel 1:11

Husbandmen] Or the Husbandmen are confounded, and the Vine-dressers howle.

Joel 1:12

Joy is] he hath a relation to the feasts, and merriments which were in harvest time, and in time of vintage, Isaiah 16:10 Jeremiah 48:33.

Joel 1:14

Sanctifie] appoint a time for this holy exercise; and prepare your selves unto it by ll acts of piety and devotion The Elders] namely, the Magistrates, and chiefe of the people.

Joel 1:17

Is rotten] because it could not bud up; by reason of the extreme drought, v. 19, 20.

Joel 1:18

Of Sheep] which otherwise feed in the most dry and barren places.

Joel 1:19

The fire] the drought hath burnt up the Countrey, as if fire had gone through it The Pastures] or the heards.

Joel 1:20

Cry] by reason of extreme drought: A terme taken from Deere, and other beasts.