1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
7 They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
9 They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:
11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
18 Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
19 Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
20 But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the LORD come.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
1 Blow H8628 ye the trumpet H7782 in Zion, H6726 and sound an alarm H7321 in my holy H6944 mountain: H2022 let all the inhabitants H3427 of the land H776 tremble: H7264 for the day H3117 of the LORD H3068 cometh, H935 for it is nigh at hand; H7138
2 A day H3117 of darkness H2822 and of gloominess, H653 a day H3117 of clouds H6051 and of thick darkness, H6205 as the morning H7837 spread H6566 upon the mountains: H2022 a great H7227 people H5971 and a strong; H6099 there hath not been H1961 ever H5769 the like, neither shall be any more H3254 after H310 it, even to the years H8141 of many H1755 generations. H1755
3 A fire H784 devoureth H398 before H6440 them; and behind H310 them a flame H3852 burneth: H3857 the land H776 is as the garden H1588 of Eden H5731 before H6440 them, and behind H310 them a desolate H8077 wilderness; H4057 yea, and nothing shall escape H6413 them.
4 The appearance H4758 of them is as the appearance H4758 of horses; H5483 and as horsemen, H6571 so shall they run. H7323
5 Like the noise H6963 of chariots H4818 on the tops H7218 of mountains H2022 shall they leap, H7540 like the noise H6963 of a flame H3851 of fire H784 that devoureth H398 the stubble, H7179 as a strong H6099 people H5971 set in battle H4421 array. H6186
6 Before their face H6440 the people H5971 shall be much pained: H2342 all faces H6440 shall gather H6908 blackness. H6289
7 They shall run H7323 like mighty men; H1368 they shall climb H5927 the wall H2346 like men H582 of war; H4421 and they shall march H3212 every one H376 on his ways, H1870 and they shall not break H5670 their ranks: H734
8 Neither shall one H376 thrust H1766 another; H251 they shall walk H3212 every one H1397 in his path: H4546 and when they fall H5307 upon the sword, H7973 they shall not be wounded. H1214
9 They shall run to and fro H8264 in the city; H5892 they shall run H7323 upon the wall, H2346 they shall climb up H5927 upon the houses; H1004 they shall enter in H935 at the windows H2474 like a thief. H1590
10 The earth H776 shall quake H7264 before H6440 them; the heavens H8064 shall tremble: H7493 the sun H8121 and the moon H3394 shall be dark, H6937 and the stars H3556 shall withdraw H622 their shining: H5051
11 And the LORD H3068 shall utter H5414 his voice H6963 before H6440 his army: H2428 for his camp H4264 is very H3966 great: H7227 for he is strong H6099 that executeth H6213 his word: H1697 for the day H3117 of the LORD H3068 is great H1419 and very H3966 terrible; H3372 and who can abide H3557 it?
12 Therefore also now, saith H5002 the LORD, H3068 turn H7725 ye even to me with all your heart, H3824 and with fasting, H6685 and with weeping, H1065 and with mourning: H4553
13 And rend H7167 your heart, H3824 and not your garments, H899 and turn H7725 unto the LORD H3068 your God: H430 for he is gracious H2587 and merciful, H7349 slow H750 to anger, H639 and of great H7227 kindness, H2617 and repenteth H5162 him of the evil. H7451
14 Who knoweth H3045 if he will return H7725 and repent, H5162 and leave H7604 a blessing H1293 behind H310 him; even a meat offering H4503 and a drink offering H5262 unto the LORD H3068 your God? H430
15 Blow H8628 the trumpet H7782 in Zion, H6726 sanctify H6942 a fast, H6685 call H7121 a solemn assembly: H6116
16 Gather H622 the people, H5971 sanctify H6942 the congregation, H6951 assemble H6908 the elders, H2205 gather H622 the children, H5768 and those that suck H3243 the breasts: H7699 let the bridegroom H2860 go forth H3318 of his chamber, H2315 and the bride H3618 out of her closet. H2646
17 Let the priests, H3548 the ministers H8334 of the LORD, H3068 weep H1058 between the porch H197 and the altar, H4196 and let them say, H559 Spare H2347 thy people, H5971 O LORD, H3068 and give H5414 not thine heritage H5159 to reproach, H2781 that the heathen H1471 should rule over H4910 them: wherefore should they say H559 among the people, H5971 Where is their God? H430
18 Then will the LORD H3068 be jealous H7065 for his land, H776 and pity H2550 his people. H5971
19 Yea, the LORD H3068 will answer H6030 and say H559 unto his people, H5971 Behold, I will send H7971 you corn, H1715 and wine, H8492 and oil, H3323 and ye shall be satisfied H7646 therewith: and I will no more make H5414 you a reproach H2781 among the heathen: H1471
20 But I will remove far off H7368 from you the northern H6830 army, and will drive H5080 him into a land H776 barren H6723 and desolate, H8077 with his face H6440 toward the east H6931 sea, H3220 and his hinder part H5490 toward the utmost H314 sea, H3220 and his stink H889 shall come up, H5927 and his ill savour H6709 shall come up, H5927 because he hath done H6213 great things. H1431
21 Fear H3372 not, O land; H127 be glad H1523 and rejoice: H8055 for the LORD H3068 will do H6213 great things. H1431
22 Be not afraid, H3372 ye beasts H929 of the field: H7704 for the pastures H4999 of the wilderness H4057 do spring, H1876 for the tree H6086 beareth H5375 her fruit, H6529 the fig tree H8384 and the vine H1612 do yield H5414 their strength. H2428
23 Be glad H1523 then, ye children H1121 of Zion, H6726 and rejoice H8055 in the LORD H3068 your God: H430 for he hath given H5414 you the former rain H4175 moderately, H6666 and he will cause to come down H3381 for you the rain, H1653 the former rain, H4175 and the latter rain H4456 in the first H7223 month.
24 And the floors H1637 shall be full H4390 of wheat, H1250 and the fats H3342 shall overflow H7783 with wine H8492 and oil. H3323
25 And I will restore H7999 to you the years H8141 that the locust H697 hath eaten, H398 the cankerworm, H3218 and the caterpiller, H2625 and the palmerworm, H1501 my great H1419 army H2428 which I sent H7971 among you.
26 And ye shall eat H398 in plenty, H398 and be satisfied, H7646 and praise H1984 the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 your God, H430 that hath dealt H6213 wondrously H6381 with you: and my people H5971 shall never H5769 be ashamed. H954
27 And ye shall know H3045 that I am in the midst H7130 of Israel, H3478 and that I am the LORD H3068 your God, H430 and none else: and my people H5971 shall never H5769 be ashamed. H954
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, H310 that I will pour out H8210 my spirit H7307 upon all flesh; H1320 and your sons H1121 and your daughters H1323 shall prophesy, H5012 your old men H2205 shall dream H2492 dreams, H2472 your young men H970 shall see H7200 visions: H2384
29 And also upon the servants H5650 and upon the handmaids H8198 in those days H3117 will I pour out H8210 my spirit. H7307
30 And I will shew H5414 wonders H4159 in the heavens H8064 and in the earth, H776 blood, H1818 and fire, H784 and pillars H8490 of smoke. H6227
31 The sun H8121 shall be turned H2015 into darkness, H2822 and the moon H3394 into blood, H1818 before H6440 the great H1419 and the terrible H3372 day H3117 of the LORD H3068 come. H935
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call H7121 on the name H8034 of the LORD H3068 shall be delivered: H4422 for in mount H2022 Zion H6726 and in Jerusalem H3389 shall be deliverance, H6413 as the LORD H3068 hath said, H559 and in the remnant H8300 whom the LORD H3068 shall call. H7121
1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
2 a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale.
7 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.
8 Neither doth one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst through the weapons, and break not off `their course'.
9 They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.
10 The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
11 And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
12 Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
18 Then was Jehovah jealous for his land, and had pity on his people.
19 And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations;
20 but I will remove far off from you the northern `army', and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.
21 Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.
23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first `month'.
24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and shall praise the name of Jehovah your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you; and my people shall never be put to shame.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 and also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
30 And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah cometh.
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.
1 Blow ye a trumpet in Zion, And shout ye in My holy hill, Tremble do all inhabitants of the earth, For coming is the day of Jehovah, for `it is' near!
2 A day of darkness and thick darkness, A day of cloud and thick darkness, As darkness spread on the mountains, A people numerous and mighty, Like it there hath not been from of old, And after it there is not again -- till the years of generation and generation.
3 Before it consumed hath fire, And after it burn doth a flame, As the garden of Eden `is' the land before it, And after it a wilderness -- a desolation! And also an escape there hath not been to it,
4 As the appearance of horses `is' its appearance, And as horsemen, so they run.
5 As the noise of chariots, on the tops of the mountains they skip, As the noise of a flame of fire devouring stubble, As a mighty people set in array for battle.
6 From its face pained are peoples, All faces have gathered paleness.
7 As mighty ones they run, As men of war they go up a wall, And each in his own ways they do go, And they embarrass not their paths.
8 And each his brother they press not, Each in his way they go on, If by the missile they fall, they are not cut off.
9 In the city they run to and fro, On the wall they run, Into houses they go up by the windows, They go in as a thief.
10 At their face trembled hath the earth, Shaken have the heavens, Sun and moon have been black, And stars have gathered up their shining.
11 And Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His force, For very great `is' His camp, For mighty `is' the doer of His word, For great `is' the day of Jehovah -- very fearful, And who doth bear it?
12 And also now -- an affirmation of Jehovah, Turn ye back unto Me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, And with lamentation.
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, And turn back unto Jehovah your God, For gracious and merciful `is' He, Slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, And He hath repented concerning the evil.
14 Who knoweth -- He doth turn back, Yea -- He hath repented, And He hath left behind Him a blessing, A present and libation of Jehovah your God?
15 Blow ye a trumpet in Zion, Sanctify a fast -- proclaim a restraint.
16 Gather the people, sanctify an assembly, Assemble the aged, Gather infants and sucklings of the breasts, Go out let a bridegroom from his inner chamber, And a bride out of her closet.
17 Between the porch and the altar weep let the priests, ministrants of Jehovah, And let them say: `Have pity, O Jehovah, on Thy people, And give not Thy inheritance to reproach, To the ruling over them of nations, Why do they say among peoples, Where `is' their God?'
18 And let Jehovah be zealous for His land, And have pity on His people.
19 Let Jehovah answer and say to His people, `Lo, I am sending to you the corn, And the new wine, and the oil, And ye have been satisfied with it, And I make you no more a reproach among nations,
20 And the northern I put far off from you, And have driven him unto a land dry and desolate, With his face unto the eastern sea, And his rear unto the western sea, And come up hath his stink, And come up doth his stench, For he hath exerted himself to work.
21 Do not fear, O land! joy and rejoice, For Jehovah hath exerted Himself to work.
22 Do not fear, O cattle of the field! For sprung forth have pastures of a wilderness, For the tree hath borne its fruit, Fig-tree and vine have given their strength!
23 And ye sons of Zion, joy and rejoice, In Jehovah your God, For He hath given to you the Teacher for righteousness, And causeth to come down to you a shower, Sprinkling and gathered -- in the beginning.
24 And full have been the floors `with' pure corn, And overflown have the presses `with' new wine and oil.
25 And I have recompensed to you the years That consume did the locust, the cankerworm, And the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, My great force that I did send against you.
26 And ye have eaten, eating and being satisfied, And have praised the name of Jehovah your God, Who hath dealt with you wonderfully, And not ashamed are My people to the age.
27 And ye have known that in the midst of Israel `am' I, And I `am' Jehovah your God, and there is none else, And not ashamed are My people to the age.
28 And it hath come to pass afterwards, I do pour out My Spirit on all flesh, And prophesied have your sons and your daughters, Your old men do dream dreams, Your young men do see visions.
29 And also on the men-servants, and on the maid-servants, In those days I do pour out My Spirit.
30 And I have given wonders in the heavens, and in the earth, Blood and fire, and columns of smoke.
31 The sun is turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, Before the coming of the day of Jehovah, The great and the fearful.
32 And it hath come to pass, Every one who calleth in the name of Jehovah is delivered, For in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there is an escape, As Jehovah hath said, And among the remnants whom Jehovah is calling!
1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is at hand;
2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and gross darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; -- a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, to the years of generations and generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them, and behind them a flame burneth; the land is as a garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness: yea, and nothing escapeth them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots, on the tops of the mountains, they leap; like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before them the peoples are in anguish: all faces turn pale.
7 They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and break not their ranks.
8 Neither doth one press upon another; they march every one in his path; and fall amid weapons, but are not wounded.
9 They spread themselves over the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in by the windows like a thief.
10 The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
11 And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for strong is he that executeth his word: for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can bear it?
12 Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning;
13 and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving-kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
14 Who knoweth? He might return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, an oblation and a drink-offering for Jehovah your God?
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, hallow a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly;
16 gather the people, hallow the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride from her closet.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare, O Jehovah, thy people, and give not thine inheritance to reproach, that they should be a byword of the nations. Wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
18 Then Jehovah will be jealous for his land, and will have pity on his people.
19 And Jehovah will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I send you corn, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
20 And I will remove far off from you him [that cometh] from the north, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, his face toward the eastern sea, and his rear toward the hinder sea; and his stench shall come up, and his ill odour shall come up, for he hath exalted himself to do great things.
21 -- Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for Jehovah doeth great things.
22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring; for the tree beareth its fruit; the fig-tree and the vine yield full increase.
23 And ye, children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the early rain in due measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the early rain, and the latter rain at the beginning [of the season].
24 And the floors shall be full of corn, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of Jehovah your God, who hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, Jehovah, [am] your God, and there is none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
28 And it shall come to pass afterwards [that] I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.
29 Yea, even upon the bondmen and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun shall be changed to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and terrible day of Jehovah come.
32 And it shall be that whosoever shall call upon the name of Jehovah shall be saved: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as Jehovah hath said, and for the residue whom Jehovah shall call.
1 Blow you the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of Yahweh comes, For it is close at hand:
2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn spreading on the mountains, A great and strong people; There has never been the like, Neither will there be any more after them, Even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devours before them, And behind them, a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them, And behind them, a desolate wilderness. Yes, and no one has escaped them.
4 The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, And as horsemen, so do they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, Like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, As a strong people set in battle array.
6 At their presence the peoples are in anguish. All faces have grown pale.
7 They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like warriors. They each march in his line, and they don't swerve off course.
8 Neither does one jostle another; They march everyone in his path, And they burst through the defenses, And don't break ranks.
9 They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves.
10 The earth quakes before them. The heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, And the stars withdraw their shining.
11 Yahweh thunders his voice before his army; For his forces are very great; For he is strong who obeys his command; For the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, And who can endure it?
12 "Yet even now," says Yahweh, "turn to me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."
13 Tear your heart, and not your garments, And turn to Yahweh, your God; For he is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, And relents from sending calamity.
14 Who knows? He may turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind him, Even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God.
15 Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly.
16 Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his room, And the bride out of her chamber.
17 Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, "Spare your people, Yahweh, And don't give your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'"
18 Then Yahweh was jealous for his land, And had pity on his people.
19 Yahweh answered his people, "Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, And you will be satisfied with them; And I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.
20 But I will remove the northern army far away from you, And will drive it into a barren and desolate land, Its front into the eastern sea, And its back into the western sea; And its stench will come up, And its bad smell will rise." Surely he has done great things.
21 Land, don't be afraid. Be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has done great things.
22 Don't be afraid, you animals of the field; For the pastures of the wilderness spring up, For the tree bears its fruit. The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
23 "Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in Yahweh, your God; For he gives you the former rain in just measure, And he causes the rain to come down for you, The former rain and the latter rain, As before.
24 The threshing floors will be full of wheat, And the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.
25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar, My great army, which I sent among you.
26 You will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied, And will praise the name of Yahweh, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And my people will never again be disappointed.
27 You will know that I am in the midst of Israel, And that I am Yahweh, your God, and there is no one else; And my people will never again be disappointed.
28 "It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.
29 And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood, fire, and pillars of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and terrible day of Yahweh comes.
32 It will happen that whoever will call on the name of Yahweh shall be saved; For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who escape, As Yahweh has said, And among the remnant, those whom Yahweh calls.
1 Let the horn be sounded in Zion, and a war-cry in my holy mountain; let all the people of the land be troubled: for the day of the Lord is coming;
2 For a day of dark and deep shade is near, a day of cloud and black night: like a black cloud a great and strong people is covering the mountains; there has never been any like them and will not be after them again, from generation to generation.
3 Before them fire sends destruction, and after them flame is burning: the land is like the garden of Eden before them, and after them an unpeopled waste; truly, nothing has been kept safe from them.
4 Their form is like the form of horses, and they are running like war-horses.
5 Like the sound of war-carriages they go jumping on the tops of the mountains; like the noise of a flame of fire burning up the grain-stems, like a strong people lined up for the fight.
6 At their coming the people are bent with pain: all faces become red together.
7 They are running like strong men, they go over the wall like men of war; every man goes straight on his way, their lines are not broken.
8 No one is pushing against another; everyone goes straight on his way: bursting through the sword points, their order is not broken.
9 They make a rush on the town, running on the wall; they go up into the houses and in through the windows like a thief.
10 The earth is troubled before them and the heavens are shaking: the sun and the moon have become dark, and the stars keep back their shining:
11 And the Lord is thundering before his forces; for very great is his army; for he is strong who gives effect to his word: for the day of the Lord is great and greatly to be feared, and who has strength against it?
12 But even now, says the Lord, come back to me with all your heart, keeping from food, with weeping and with sorrow:
13 Let your hearts be broken, and not your clothing, and come back to the Lord your God: for he is full of grace and pity, slow to be angry and great in mercy, ready to be turned from his purpose of punishment.
14 May it not be that he will again let his purpose be changed and let a blessing come after him, even a meal offering and a drink offering for the Lord your God?
15 Let a horn be sounded in Zion, let a time be fixed for going without food, have a holy meeting:
16 Get the people together, make the mass of the people holy, send for the old men, get together the children and babies at the breast: let the newly married man come out of his room and the bride from her tent.
17 Let the priests, the servants of the Lord, be weeping between the covered way and the altar, and let them say, Have mercy on your people, O Lord, do not give up your heritage to shame, so that the nations become their rulers: why let them say among the peoples, Where is their God?
18 Then the Lord had a care for the honour of his land and had pity on his people.
19 And the Lord made answer and said to his people, See, I will send you grain and wine and oil in full measure: and I will no longer let you be shamed among the nations:
20 I will send the one from the north far away from you, driving him into a dry and waste land, with his front to the sea of the east and his back to the sea of the west, and the smell of him will go up, even his evil smell will go up.
21 Have no fear, O land; be glad with great joy; for the Lord has done great things.
22 Have no fear, you beasts of the field, for the grass-lands of the waste are becoming green, for the trees are producing fruit, the fig-tree and the vine give out their strength.
23 Be glad, then, you children of Zion, and have joy in the Lord your God: for he gives you food in full measure, making the rain come down for you, the early and the late rain as at the first.
24 And the floors will be full of grain, and the crushing-places overflowing with wine and oil.
25 I will give back to you the years which were food for the locust, the plant-worm, the field-fly, and the worm, my great army which I sent among you.
26 You will have food in full measure, and give praise to the name of the Lord your God, who has done wonders for you:
27 And you will be certain that I am in Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other: and my people will never be shamed.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Joel 2
Commentary on Joel 2 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 2
In this chapter we have,
Thus the beginning of this chapter is made terrible with the tokens of God's wrath, but the latter end of it made comfortable with the assurances of his favour, and it is in the way of repentance that this blessed change is made; so that, though it is only the last paragraph of the chapter that points directly at gospel-times, yet the whole may be improved as a type and figure, representing the curses of the law invading men for their sins, and the comforts of the gospel flowing in to them upon their repentance.
Joe 2:1-11
Here we have God contending with his own professing people for their sins and executing upon them the judgment written in the law (Deu. 28:42), The fruit of thy land shall the locust consume, which was one of those diseases of Egypt that God would bring upon them, v. 60.
Joe 2:12-17
We have here an earnest exhortation to repentance, inferred from that desolating judgment described and threatened in the foregoing verses: Therefore now turn you to the Lord.
Joe 2:18-27
See how ready God is to succour and relieve his people, how he waits to be gracious; as soon as ever they humble themselves under this hand, and pray, and seek his face, he immediately meets them with his favours. They prayed that God would spare them, and see here with what good words and comfortable words he answered them; for God's promises are real answers to the prayers of faith, because with him saying and doing are not two things. Now observe,
Joe 2:28-32
The promises of corn, and wine, and oil, in the foregoing verses, would be very acceptable to a wasted country; but here we are taught that we must not rest in those things. God has reserved some better things for us, and these verses have reference to those better things, both the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory, with the happiness of true believers in both. We are here told,