Joel 1:10

“The field is wasted, etc.] By the locust, that eat up all green things, the grass and herbs, the fruit and leaves of trees; and also by the Chaldeans trampling on it with their horses, and the increase of which became fodder for them: the land mourneth; being destitute, nothing growing upon it, and so looked dismally, and of a horrid aspect; or the inhabitants of it, for want of provision: for the corn is wasted; by the locusts, and so by the Assyrian or Chaldean army, before it came to perfection: the new wine is dried up: in the grape, through the drought after mentioned: or, “is ashamed” F17; not answering the expectations of men, who saw it in the cluster, promising much, but failed: the…”

“field . . . land--differing in that "field" means the open, unenclosed country; "land," the rich red soil (from a root "to be red") fit for cultivation. Thus, "a man of the field," in Hebrew, is a "hunter"; a "man of the ground" or "land," an "agriculturist" (Gen 25:27). "Field" and "land" are here personified. new wine--from a Hebrew root implying that it takes possession of the brain, so that a man is not master of himself. So the Arabic term is from a root "to hold captive." It is already fermented, and so intoxicating, unlike the sweet fresh wine, in Joe 1:5, called also "new wine," though a different Hebrew word. It and "the oil" stand for the vine and the olive tree, from which the…”

“The field is wasted, the land mourneth - As, when God pours out His blessings of nature, all nature seems to smile and be glad, and as the Psalmist says, “to shout for joy and sing” Psalms 65:13, so when He withholds them, it seems to mourn, and, by its mourning, to reproach the insensibility of man. Oil is the emblem of the abundant graces and gifts of the Holy Spirit, and of the light and devotion of soul given by Him, and spiritual gladness, and overflowing, all-mantling charity. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The corn - The wheat and barley, is eaten up in its greenness. Dried up - The drought was so great, that the vines were withered, and all their hopes of new wine cut off. The oil - The olive - trees. Languisheth - This is a plain account of the reason why the priests were called to mourn, and why the meal - offering and drink - offering were cut off. Joel 1:11”

“1:10 The locusts destroyed the three essential staple crops of ancient Israel: grain . . . grapes and olive oil.”

“field: Joe 1:17-20; Lev 26:20; Isa 24:3, Isa 24:4; Jer 12:4, Jer 12:11, Jer 14:2-6; Hos 4:3 the new: Joe 1:5, Joe 1:12; Isa 24:11; Jer 48:33; Hos 9:2; Hag 1:11 dried up: or, ashamed Joel 1:11”