Joel 1:18

18 How the animals groan! Herds of cattle are in distress because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep pant.

Joel 1:18 Meaning and Commentary

Joel 1:18

How do the beasts groan?
&c.] For want of fodder, all green grass and herbs being eaten up by the locusts; or devoured, or trampled upon, and destroyed, by the Chaldeans; and also for want of water to quench their thirst: the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture;
the larger cattle, as oxen; these were in the utmost perplexity, not knowing where to go for food or drink: yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate;
which have shepherds to lead and direct them to pastures, and can feed on commons, where the grass is short, which other cattle cannot; yet even these were in great distress, and wasted away, and were consumed for want of nourishment.

Joel 1:18 In-Context

16 Isn't the food cut off right before our eyes? Aren't joy and gladness also gone from our God's house?

17 The grain shrivels under the shovels; the barns are empty. The granaries are in ruin because the grain has dried up.

18 How the animals groan! Herds of cattle are in distress because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep pant.

19 To you, LORD, I cry, for fire has completely destroyed the pastures of the wilderness; and flames have burned all the trees of the field.

20 Even the field's wild animals cry to you because the streams have dried up; the fire has completely destroyed the meadows of the wilderness.