Joel 1:14

Sanctify.. a fast] i.e. keep a holy fast unto Jehovah. As feasting is a natural expression of joy so fasting is of grief, and fasts were observed in times of distress along with confession of sin and prayer for divine favour (Judges 20:26; 1 Samuel 7:6; 2 Samuel 12:16; 1 Kings 21:27; Psalms 69:10.; Ezra 10:6; Nehemiah 9:1; Jon 3:5-9; Daniel 9:3), and entered also regularly into the Jewish calendar (Leviticus 16:29; Zechariah 7:3; Zechariah 7:5; Zechariah 8:19). Gather the elders, etc.] better, 'Gather, O elders, all the inhabitants,' or omit 'elders.'