Joel 1:8 - Clarke's commentary and critical notes on the Bible

Bible Comments

Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. 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).

Joel 1:8

8 Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.