Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 1:8
Lament like a virgin - for the husband of her youth - Virgin is a very improper version here. The original is בתולה bethulah , which signifies a young woman or bride not a virgin, the proper Hebrew for which is עלמה almah . See the notes on Isaiah 7:14 ; (note), and Matthew 1:23 ; (note). read more
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 1:7
He hath laid my vine waste - The locusts have eaten off both leaves and bark. חשפה חשף chasoph chasaphah , he hath made it clean bare; שדה שדד suddad sadeh , the field is laid waste, Joel 1:10 ; and משדי כשד kesod mishshaddai , a destruction from the Almighty, Joel 1:15 ; are all paronomasias in which this prophet seems to delight. read more