Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Even the wild animals pant for you; the streams of water have dried up and fire has devoured the pastures in the wilderness. New Living Translation Even the wild animals cry out to you because the streams have dried up, and fire has consumed the wilderness pastures. English Standard Version Even the beasts of the field pant for you because the water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Berean Standard Bible Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures. Berean Literal Bible Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the channels of water have dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. King James Bible 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. New King James Version The beasts of the field also cry out to You, For the water brooks are dried up, And fire has devoured the open pastures. New American Standard Bible Even the animals of the field pant for You; For the stream beds of water are dried up, And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. NASB 1995 Even the beasts of the field pant for You; For the water brooks are dried up And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. NASB 1977 Even the beasts of the field pant for Thee; For the water brooks are dried up, And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Legacy Standard Bible Even the beasts of the field pant for You; For the water brooks are dried up, And fire has consumed the pastures of the wilderness. Amplified Bible Even the wild animals pant [in longing] for You; For the water brooks are dried up And fire has consumed the pastures of the wilderness. Berean Annotated Bible Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures. Christian Standard Bible Even the wild animals cry out to you, for the river beds are dried up, and fire has consumed the pastures of the wilderness. Holman Christian Standard Bible Even the wild animals cry out to You, for the river beds are dried up, and fire has consumed the pastures of the wilderness. American Standard Version Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto thee; for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Contemporary English Version Wild animals have no water because of you; rivers and streams are dry, and pastures are parched. English Revised Version Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto thee: for the water brooks are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. GOD'S WORD® Translation Even wild animals long for you. Streams run dry. Fire has burned up the open pastures. Good News Translation Even the wild animals cry out to you because the streams have become dry. International Standard Version The livestock also cries out to you, because their water sources have evaporated and because fire has consumed the open pastures. NET Bible Even the wild animals cry out to you; for the river beds have dried up; fire has destroyed the grassy pastures. New Heart English Bible Yes, the animals of the field pant to you, for the water brooks have dried up, And the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Webster's Bible Translation The beasts of the field cry also to thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEven the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures. World English Bible Yes, the animals of the field pant to you, for the water brooks have dried up, and the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAlso the livestock of the field long for You, "" For dried up have been streams of water, "" And fire has consumed lovely places of a wilderness!” Berean Literal Bible Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the channels of water have dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Young's Literal Translation Also the cattle of the field long for Thee, For dried up have been streams of water, And fire hath consumed comely places of a wilderness!' Smith's Literal Translation Also the beasts of the field will look up to thee: for the channels of waters were dried up, and the fire devoured the habitations of the desert. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleYea and the beasts of the field have looked up to thee, as a garden bed that thirsteth after rain, for the springs of waters are dried up, and fire hath devoured the beautiful places of the wilderness. Catholic Public Domain Version Yes, and even the beasts of the field have gazed up at you, like the dry ground thirsting for rain, because the fountains of waters have dried up, and fire has devoured the beauty of the wilderness. New American Bible Even the animals in the wild cry out to you; For the streams of water have run dry, and fire has devoured the wilderness pastures. New Revised Standard Version Even the wild animals cry to you because the watercourses are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAlso the beasts of the field cry out to thee because the ponds of water are dried up, and the fire has devoured the camps of shepherds in the wilderness. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Also the beast of the wilderness bellows to you, because the brook of waters is dried up and fire has consumed the dwellings of the wilderness! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Yea, the beasts of the field pant unto Thee; For the water brooks are dried up, And the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the cattle of the field have looked up to thee: for the fountains of waters have been dried up, and fire has devoured the fair places of the wilderness. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context A Call to Repentance…19To You, O LORD, I call, for fire has consumed the open pastures and flames have scorched all the trees of the field. 20Even the beasts of the field pant for You, for the streams of water have dried up, and fire has consumed the open pastures. Cross References Even the beasts of the field pant for You, Psalm 104:27-28 All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. / When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. Psalm 145:15-16 The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. / You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. Job 38:39-41 Can you hunt the prey for a lioness or satisfy the hunger of young lions / when they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket? / Who provides food for the raven when its young cry out to God as they wander about for lack of food? for the streams of water have dried up, Psalm 74:15 You broke open the fountain and the flood; You dried up the ever-flowing rivers. Psalm 107:33-34 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. Isaiah 19:5-6 The waters of the Nile will dry up, and the riverbed will be parched and empty. / The canals will stink; the streams of Egypt will trickle and dry up; the reeds and rushes will wither. and fire has consumed the open pastures. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes the straw, and as dry grass shrivels in the flame, so their roots will decay and their blossoms will blow away like dust; for they have rejected the instruction of the LORD of Hosts and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire has been kindled by My anger, and it burns to the depths of Sheol; it consumes the earth and its produce, and scorches the foundations of the mountains. Amos 7:4 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. Psalm 42:1 For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. Isaiah 24:4-7 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. … Hosea 4:3 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. Jeremiah 14:4-6 The ground is cracked because no rain has fallen on the land. The farmers are ashamed; they cover their heads. / 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.” Amos 8:13 In that day the lovely young women—the young men as well—will faint from thirst. Habakkuk 3:17-18 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! Treasury of Scripture The beasts of the field cry also to you: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness. cry. Job 38:41 Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Psalm 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. Psalm 145:15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. the rivers. 1 Kings 17:7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 1 Kings 18:5 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. Jump to Previous Animals Beasts Brooks Cattle Consumed Cry Desire Devoured Dried Dry End Field Fire Grass-Lands Open Pant Pastures Places Rivers Streams Turning Waste Water Waters Water-Streams Wild WildernessJump to Next Animals Beasts Brooks Cattle Consumed Cry Desire Devoured Dried Dry End Field Fire Grass-Lands Open Pant Pastures Places Rivers Streams Turning Waste Water Waters Water-Streams Wild WildernessJoel 1 1. Joel, declaring various judgments of God, exhorts to observe them,8. and to mourn. 14. He prescribes a solemn fast to deprecate those judgments. Even the beasts of the field pant for You This phrase highlights the severity of the drought and devastation in the land, affecting not only humans but also animals. In biblical times, animals were crucial for agriculture and daily life, symbolizing the interconnectedness of creation. The imagery of animals panting suggests desperation and a natural world in distress, echoing Romans 8:22, where creation groans for redemption. This reflects the idea that all creation is dependent on God and suffers under the curse of sin. for the streams of water have dried up and fire has consumed the open pastures Persons / Places / Events 1. JoelThe prophet who authored the book, delivering God's message to the people of Judah during a time of crisis. 2. Beasts of the Field Represents the animals affected by the drought and devastation, symbolizing the widespread impact of God's judgment. 3. Streams of Water Natural sources of life and sustenance that have dried up, indicating severe drought and divine judgment. 4. Fire A destructive force that has consumed the pastures, symbolizing the intensity of the calamity faced by the land. 5. Wilderness The uncultivated land that has been ravaged by fire, representing the desolation resulting from the judgment. Teaching Points Dependence on GodJust as the beasts pant for water, we must recognize our dependence on God for spiritual sustenance and life. Consequences of Sin The drought and fire symbolize the consequences of sin and disobedience, reminding us to live in accordance with God's will. Creation's Groaning The suffering of the land and animals reflects the broader groaning of creation, pointing to the need for redemption and restoration through Christ. Urgency of Repentance The devastation described in Joel calls for urgent repentance and turning back to God, emphasizing the importance of aligning our lives with His purposes. Intercession for the Land As believers, we are called to intercede for our communities and the environment, seeking God's mercy and restoration. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joel 1:20?2. How does Joel 1:20 highlight God's provision during times of drought and need? 3. What can we learn about creation's dependence on God from Joel 1:20? 4. How does Joel 1:20 connect with Romans 8:22 about creation's groaning? 5. In what ways can we intercede for our land as seen in Joel 1:20? 6. How can Joel 1:20 inspire us to trust God in environmental crises? 7. What is the significance of animals crying out to God in Joel 1:20? 8. How does Joel 1:20 reflect God's relationship with nature? 9. Why does Joel emphasize the suffering of animals in 1:20? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joel 1? 11. What is the Lake of Fire? 12. What does the Bible say about the end times? 13. What does the Bible say about the world's end? 14. Is Hell real and eternal? What Does Joel 1:20 Mean Even the beasts of the field• Joel highlights that God’s judgment on the land is so severe that it reaches beyond people to the animal kingdom (cf. Jonah 4:11; Psalm 104:21). • The phrase underscores creation’s dependence on its Creator. Romans 8:22 reminds us that “the whole creation groans.” • The inclusion of “even” stresses that if the dumb animals recognize their need, God’s covenant people should all the more perceive the seriousness of their sin-induced calamity. Pant for You • “Pant” pictures desperate longing—animals gasping for relief, instinctively turning toward the only source of help: the Lord (Psalm 42:1-2; Jeremiah 14:6). • Joel draws an implicit contrast: if beasts cry out to God, how much more should His people respond in repentant prayer (Joel 2:12-13). • The verse affirms that God attends to the cries of all creation, reinforcing His sovereign care (Psalm 145:15-16). Streams of water have dried up • Drought is a covenant curse listed in Deuteronomy 28:23-24, signaling divine discipline for national disobedience. • Physical dryness mirrors spiritual barrenness; Israel’s abandonment of the Lord has led to literal parched land (Jeremiah 2:13; Amos 4:7-8). • The drying streams also foreshadow the greater Day of the Lord described later in Joel (Joel 2:31), urging repentance before final judgment. Fire has consumed the open pastures • Wildfires, whether natural or exacerbated by drought, complete the devastation, leaving no sustenance for livestock or people (Isaiah 24:6; Amos 7:4). • Fire often symbolizes judgment throughout Scripture (Numbers 11:1; 2 Peter 3:7). Here it is both literal destruction and a sign of God’s righteous wrath against sin. • The “open pastures” once represented provision and blessing; their consumption underscores the total loss that follows unrepented sin (Joel 1:19). summary Joel 1:20 portrays creation itself crying out under God’s judgment: animals pant, water is gone, and fire ravages the land. These vivid images reveal the far-reaching consequences of sin, call God’s people to urgent repentance, and affirm that every part of creation ultimately depends on the Lord for mercy and restoration. (20) The beasts of the field cry also unto thee.--The prophet has cried to God; the very beasts echo that cry, "looking up" to Him. As yet, man seems dumb.
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