King James Version

What Does Joel 1:15 Mean?

Joel 1:15 in the King James Version says “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” — study this verse from Joel chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.”

Joel 1:15 · KJV

Context

13

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.

14

Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, solemn: or, day of restraint

15

Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

16

Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?

17

The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. seed: Heb. grains

Read Joel 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
"Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The exclamation "Alas!" (Hebrew 'ahahh) expresses distress and grief. "The day of the LORD" theme dominates Joel—that appointed time when God intervenes decisively. The phrase "at hand" (qarob) means near, imminent—not theoretical future but approaching reality. The comparison "as a destruction from the Almighty" uses Hebrew shod from Shaddai (Almighty)—a wordplay emphasizing that destruction (shod) comes from the all-powerful God (Shaddai). No one can resist or escape. This teaches that the Day of the LORD has dual nature: deliverance for the faithful, destruction for the rebellious. It's not ethnic identity but spiritual condition that determines experience—Jews and Gentiles alike face judgment or mercy based on faith in Christ (Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:28-29).

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Historical & Cultural Context

"Day of the LORD" appears 19 times in the Old Testament, describing God's intervention in judgment or deliverance. Prophets applied it to historical events (Babylonian conquest, return from exile) and eschatological realities (Messiah's coming, final judgment). Jesus referenced it in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), Paul in 1-2 Thessalonians, Peter in 2 Peter 3, John throughout Revelation. Each historical fulfillment points toward ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns.

Reflection Questions

  1. Does anticipation of Christ's return produce holy living or complacent presumption in your life?
  2. How should imminent judgment shape evangelistic urgency?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
אֲהָ֖הּ1 of 9

“Alas”

H162

oh!

י֣וֹם2 of 9

“for the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

כִּ֤י3 of 9
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

קָרוֹב֙4 of 9

“is at hand”

H7138

near (in place, kindred or time)

י֣וֹם5 of 9

“for the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יְהוָ֔ה6 of 9

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּכְשֹׁ֖ד7 of 9

“and as a destruction”

H7701

violence, ravage

מִשַׁדַּ֥י8 of 9

“from the Almighty”

H7706

the almighty

יָבֽוֹא׃9 of 9

“shall it come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joel 1:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joel 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 13:6-9Zephaniah 1:14-18Jeremiah 30:7Ezekiel 7:2-12Joel 2:11Joel 2:31

Test Your Knowledge

Joel 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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