Matthew Poole and continuators on Joel 1:17

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

Called so from the seeds-man's scattering it abroad when he soweth it, and in this place only so used, for ought I can observe, and yet this use of it here is justified by all the following words; the grain which is sown for the seed against next spring.

Is putrified, grown musty and fruitless, nor is this word any where else used in Scripture.

And Earth, from under which the seed covered should spring up, but now as unsound, rotten and fruitless seed is lost under it.

Or Storehouses, Treasuries of Corn, in which 'twas kept for future use,

Either run to ruin, because the owners discouraged with the barrenness of the seasons, would not repair them, this will intimate that this judgment lasted some years, and is better ground for it, than the four sorts of vermin repeated one after another, in verse 4. or else desolate, being pull'd down, and the materials employed for other uses, till they may have Corn to keep in them.

In which they lodged their unthreshed Corn.

Neglected, and without repair.

There was no use of them, no Corn to be laid up, all withered, and therefore the Barns were not regarded.

Marginal references: Heb. grains.