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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joel 1:18 How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joel/1-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/29_Jol_01_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joel 1:18 - A Call to Repentance" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. 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The herds mill about because they have no pasture; even the flocks of sheep are suffering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joel/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />How the animals moan with hunger! The herds of cattle wander about confused, because they have no pasture. The flocks of sheep and goats bleat in misery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joel/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joel/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joel/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joel/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of cattle are restless, Because they have no pasture; Even the flocks of sheep suffer punishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joel/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the animals have groaned! The herds of cattle have wandered aimlessly Because there is no pasture for them; Even the flocks of sheep have suffered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joel/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle wander aimlessly Because there is no pasture for them; Even the flocks of sheep suffer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joel/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle wander aimlessly Because there is no pasture for them; Even the flocks of sheep suffer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joel/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle wander aimlessly Because there is no pasture for them; Even the flocks of sheep suffer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joel/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of cattle are bewildered <i>and</i> wander aimlessly Because they have no pasture; Even the flocks of sheep suffer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joel/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of cattle wander in confusion since they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep and goats suffer punishment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joel/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of cattle wander in confusion since they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep suffer punishment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joel/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joel/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Our cattle wander aimlessly, moaning for lack of pasture, and sheep are suffering. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joel/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joel/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The animals groan. Herds of cattle wander around confused. There's no pasture for them. Even flocks of sheep are suffering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joel/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The cattle are bellowing in distress because there is no pasture for them; the flocks of sheep also suffer. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joel/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh, how the livestock groan! The herds of cattle wander about because they have no pasture. Even flocks of sheep suffer!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joel/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />How the cattle groan! The herds wander in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joel/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Listen to the cattle groan! The herds of livestock wander around in confusion because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep are suffering. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joel/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />How the animals groan. The herds of livestock are perplexed, because they have no pasture. Even the flocks of sheep suffer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joel/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joel/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of livestock are perplexed, because they have no pasture. Yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joel/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />How livestock have sighed! Perplexed have been droves of oxen, "" For there is no pasture for them, "" Also droves of sheep have been desolated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joel/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> How have cattle sighed! Perplexed have been droves of oxen, For there is no pasture for them, Also droves of sheep have been desolated.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joel/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />How the beasts groaned! the herds of oxen wept, for no pasture to them; also the flocks of sheep were laid waste.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joel/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why did the beast groan, why did the herds of cattle low? because there is no pasture for them: yea, and the flocks of sheep are perished. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joel/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why have the animals groaned, the herds of cattle bellowed? because there is no pasture for them. Yes, and even the flocks of sheep have been lost.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joel/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of cattle are bewildered! Because they have no pasture, even the flocks of sheep are starving. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joel/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />How the animals groan! The herds of cattle wander about because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep are dazed.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joel/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />How the beasts groan! the herds of cattle cry because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep also are perished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joel/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why do the cattle groan and the herds of oxen cry? For they have no pasture, also the flocks of sheep have come to an end<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joel/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />How do the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed, Because they have no pasture; Yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joel/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />What shall we store up for ourselves? the herds of cattle have mourned, because they had no pasture; and the flocks of sheep have been utterly destroyed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joel/1-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEU9eLLsIkI?start=183" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joel/1.htm">A Call to Repentance</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>The seeds lie shriveled beneath the clods; the storehouses are in ruins; the granaries are broken down, for the grain has withered away. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">How</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: ḇə·hê·māh (N-fs) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">the cattle</a> <a href="/hebrew/584.htm" title="584: ne·’en·ḥāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3fs) -- To sigh, groan. A primitive root; to sigh.">groan!</a> <a href="/hebrew/5739.htm" title="5739: ‘eḏ·rê (N-mpc) -- A flock, herd. From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster.">The herds</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: ḇā·qār (N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd."></a> <a href="/hebrew/943.htm" title="943: nā·ḇō·ḵū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To perplex, confuse. A primitive root; to involve.">wander in confusion</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle.">they have no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4829.htm" title="4829: mir·‘eh (N-ms) -- A pasturage, pasture. From ra'ah in the sense of feeding; pasture; also the haunt of wild animals.">pasture.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">Even</a> <a href="/hebrew/5739.htm" title="5739: ‘eḏ·rê (N-mpc) -- A flock, herd. From adar; an arrangement, i.e. Muster.">the flocks</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: haṣ·ṣōn (Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">of sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/816.htm" title="816: ne’·šā·mū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- To offend, be guilty. Or mashem; a primitive root; to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish.">are suffering.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/14-5.htm">Jeremiah 14:5-6</a></span><br />Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass. / Wild donkeys stand on barren heights; they pant for air like jackals; their eyes fail for lack of pasture.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-4.htm">Isaiah 24:4-7</a></span><br />The earth mourns and withers; the world languishes and fades; the exalted of the earth waste away. / The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees and broken the everlasting covenant. / Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, and its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, and only a few survive. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Hosea 4:3</a></span><br />Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it will waste away with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air; even the fish of the sea disappear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/4-6.htm">Amos 4:6-9</a></span><br />“I afflicted all your cities with cleanness of teeth and all your towns with lack of bread, yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. / “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. / People staggered from city to city for water to drink, but they were not satisfied; yet you did not return to Me,” declares the LORD. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/3-17.htm">Habakkuk 3:17-18</a></span><br />Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls, / yet I will exult in the LORD; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Zephaniah 1:2-3</a></span><br />“I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD. / “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, and the idols with their wicked worshipers. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/1-20.htm">Lamentations 1:20</a></span><br />See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am churning within; my heart is pounding within me, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-15.htm">Ezekiel 7:15-19</a></span><br />The sword is outside; plague and famine are within. Those in the country will die by the sword, and those in the city will be devoured by famine and plague. / The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity. / Every hand will go limp, and every knee will turn to water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-38.htm">Deuteronomy 28:38-42</a></span><br />You will sow much seed in the field but harvest little, because the locusts will consume it. / You will plant and cultivate vineyards, but will neither drink the wine nor gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. / You will have olive trees throughout your territory but will never anoint yourself with oil, because the olives will drop off. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/107-33.htm">Psalm 107:33-34</a></span><br />He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground, / and fruitful land into fields of salt, because of the wickedness of its dwellers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a></span><br />We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/6-5.htm">Revelation 6:5-6</a></span><br />And when the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” Then I looked and saw a black horse, and its rider held in his hand a pair of scales. / And I heard what sounded like a voice from among the four living creatures, saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-7.htm">Matthew 24:7</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-11.htm">Luke 21:11</a></span><br />There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-8.htm">Mark 13:8</a></span><br />Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, as well as famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yes, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Joel 1:20</a></b></br> The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/18-5.htm">1 Kings 18:5</a></b></br> And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/12-4.htm">Jeremiah 12:4</a></b></br> How long shall the land mourn, and the herbs of every field wither, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein? the beasts are consumed, and the birds; because they said, He shall not see our last end.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/14-3.htm">Aimlessly</a> <a href="/hosea/4-3.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/hosea/13-8.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-4.htm">Bewildered</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-13.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/joel/1-17.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-36.htm">Desolated</a> <a href="/ezekiel/26-18.htm">Dismayed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-3.htm">Droves</a> <a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/daniel/5-21.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-24.htm">Groan</a> <a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/ezekiel/38-12.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-13.htm">Mill</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-23.htm">Moan</a> <a href="/hosea/12-11.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/30-24.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/hosea/13-6.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/daniel/5-9.htm">Perplexed</a> <a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/isaiah/24-7.htm">Sighed</a> <a href="/joel/1-8.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/hosea/5-4.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/lamentations/1-18.htm">Suffering</a> <a href="/ezekiel/14-11.htm">Wander</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/9-26.htm">Aimlessly</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Animals</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Beasts</a> <a href="/mark/16-8.htm">Bewildered</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/joel/2-3.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/amos/7-9.htm">Desolated</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-9.htm">Dismayed</a> <a href="/genesis/29-2.htm">Droves</a> <a href="/micah/5-5.htm">Flocks</a> <a href="/amos/7-1.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/john/11-33.htm">Groan</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Herds</a> <a href="/jonah/4-11.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/matthew/24-41.htm">Mill</a> <a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Moan</a> <a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Pain</a> <a href="/amos/1-2.htm">Pasture</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Perplexed</a> <a href="/amos/1-2.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/mark/7-34.htm">Sighed</a> <a href="/amos/3-6.htm">Sounds</a> <a href="/joel/2-8.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/4-24.htm">Suffering</a> <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Wander</a><div class="vheading2">Joel 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/1-1.htm">Joel, declaring various judgments of God, exhorts to observe them,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/1-8.htm">and to mourn.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/1-14.htm">He prescribes a solemn fast to deprecate those judgments.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joel/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>How the cattle groan!</b><br>This phrase captures the dire situation in Judah due to a devastating locust plague and drought. The groaning of the cattle symbolizes the widespread suffering affecting all of creation, not just humans. In the ancient Near East, cattle were vital for agriculture and daily life, providing milk, meat, and labor. Their distress indicates a severe economic and social crisis. This imagery echoes the groaning of creation in <a href="/romans/8-22.htm">Romans 8:22</a>, highlighting the impact of sin and judgment on the natural world.<p><b>The herds wander in confusion</b><br>The wandering of the herds reflects the disorientation and desperation caused by the lack of resources. In biblical times, herds were typically well-managed and directed by shepherds or herdsmen. Their confusion signifies a breakdown in the natural order and the inability of human efforts to sustain life without divine provision. This can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual wandering and the need for guidance, as illustrated in <a href="/psalms/23.htm">Psalm 23</a>, where the Lord is depicted as the shepherd who leads His people.<p><b>because they have no pasture.</b><br>Pastureland was essential for the survival of livestock, and its absence indicates a severe environmental and agricultural disaster. The lack of pasture is a direct consequence of the locust plague and drought described earlier in the chapter. This situation serves as a tangible expression of divine judgment, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/28-15.htm">Deuteronomy 28:15-24</a>, where disobedience to God results in curses, including agricultural failure. It underscores the dependence of humanity on God's provision and the consequences of turning away from Him.<p><b>Even the flocks of sheep are suffering.</b><br>Sheep, often used in biblical literature as symbols of God's people, are also affected by the calamity. Their suffering highlights the comprehensive nature of the disaster, affecting all levels of society and creation. In a spiritual sense, this suffering can be seen as a call to repentance and a return to God, who is the true shepherd. The imagery of sheep suffering without a shepherd is reminiscent of Jesus' compassion for the lost in <a href="/matthew/9-36.htm">Matthew 9:36</a>, pointing to the need for divine intervention and care.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joel.htm">Joel</a></b><br>The prophet who authored the book, delivering God's message to the people of Judah during a time of crisis.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, experiencing a devastating locust plague and drought during Joel's prophecy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/cattle_and_herds.htm">Cattle and Herds</a></b><br>Representing the agricultural wealth and sustenance of the people, now suffering due to the lack of pasture.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/flocks_of_sheep.htm">Flocks of Sheep</a></b><br>Symbolizing the broader impact of the disaster on all aspects of life, including the spiritual and economic well-being of the community.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/l/locust_plague_and_drought.htm">Locust Plague and Drought</a></b><br>The immediate context of Joel's prophecy, serving as a divine judgment and a call to repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The suffering of the cattle and sheep in <a href="/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18</a> serves as a vivid reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Just as the land suffers, so do we when we stray from His path.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/interconnectedness_of_creation.htm">Interconnectedness of Creation</a></b><br>The passage highlights the interconnectedness of all creation. Our actions have a ripple effect on the environment and the world around us, calling us to be responsible stewards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The desolation described in Joel is a call to repentance. In times of crisis, we are urged to turn back to God, seeking His mercy and restoration.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god.htm">Dependence on God</a></b><br>The imagery of wandering herds emphasizes our dependence on God for sustenance and guidance. In times of confusion and lack, we must rely on His provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_restoration.htm">Hope in Restoration</a></b><br>While the immediate context is bleak, Joel's prophecy ultimately points to the hope of restoration. God's judgment is not the end; His desire is for renewal and blessing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joel_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joel 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_og,_king_of_bashan.htm">Who was Og, King of Bashan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_living_authentically.htm">What are the Strong Bulls of Bashan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'bathing_steps_in_butter'_literal.htm">Is the image of 'bathing his steps in butter' (Job 29:6) literal, and does it align with known ancient customs or practices?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joel/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">How do the beasts groan.--</span>All creation is represented as sharing in the dread perplexity; the beasts are involved in it, as also in Nineveh the animals were united in the proclamation of the general fast by the king's decree, when he had heard of the preaching of Jonah.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joel/1-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">How</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the cattle</span><br /><span class="heb">בְהֵמָ֗ה</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·hê·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> </span><span class="str2">A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">groan!</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶּאֶנְחָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ne·’en·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_584.htm">Strong's 584: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sigh, groan</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The herds</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶדְרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘eḏ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5739.htm">Strong's 5739: </a> </span><span class="str2">An arrangement, muster</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wander in confusion</span><br /><span class="heb">נָבֹ֙כוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(nā·ḇō·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_943.htm">Strong's 943: </a> </span><span class="str2">To perplex, confuse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they have no</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֥ין</span> <span class="translit">(’ên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_369.htm">Strong's 369: </a> </span><span class="str2">A non-entity, a negative particle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pasture.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִרְעֶ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mir·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4829.htm">Strong's 4829: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pasture, the haunt of wild animals</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Even</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּם־</span> <span class="translit">(gam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the flocks</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶדְרֵ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(‘eḏ·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5739.htm">Strong's 5739: </a> </span><span class="str2">An arrangement, muster</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of sheep</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצֹּ֖אן</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are suffering.</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(ne’·šā·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_816.htm">Strong's 816: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be guilty, to be punished, perish</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joel/1-18.htm">Joel 1:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joel/1-18.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 1:18 How the animals groan! (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/1-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 1:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 1:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/1-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 1:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 1:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>