Joel 2

King James Version

Full text for Joel Chapter 2

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;

2A 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.

3A 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.

4The appearance of them [is] as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

5Like 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.

6Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

7They 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:

8Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.

9They 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.

10The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

11And 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:

13And 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.

14Who 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?

15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

16Gather 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.

17Let 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.

19Yea, 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:

20But 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.

21Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

22Be 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.

23Be 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].

24And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.

25And 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.

26And 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.

27And 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:

29And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

30And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

32And 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Joel 2 begins with a trumpet call announcing the imminent and terrible Day of the LORD, characterized by an overwhelming, destructive army and cosmic darkness. The LORD then calls His people to sincere repentance, urging them to return to Him with fasting, weeping, and a rending of the heart. Upon their repentance, He promises restoration of their land, abundant blessings, and the removal of their enemies. The chapter concludes with a prophecy of the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh and further signs preceding the great day, offering deliverance to those who call upon the LORD.

Medium Summary

Joel 2 opens with an urgent call to sound the alarm, proclaiming the swift approach of the Day of the LORD, a time of profound darkness and an unprecedented, destructive army. This formidable force, described with locust-like precision and military might, devastates the land and causes cosmic disturbances, with the LORD himself leading it. Despite this impending judgment, the LORD mercifully calls His people to deep, heartfelt repentance, emphasizing inward change over outward rituals. He encourages fasting, weeping, and a solemn assembly of all inhabitants, with priests interceding for mercy. In response to their turning, the LORD promises to restore their fortunes, providing abundant harvests and removing the northern army. He assures them of His presence and an end to their shame. The chapter culminates with a prophecy that the LORD will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, enabling prophecy and visions, and will display wonders in the heavens and earth before the great Day, promising deliverance to all who call on His name.

Long Summary

Joel 2 commences with a dire warning, commanding the blowing of the trumpet in Zion to announce the immediate approach of the Day of the LORD. This day is depicted as one of unparalleled darkness, gloom, and cosmic upheaval, marked by the advance of a mighty and destructive army, unlike any before or after. This formidable host, described with the swiftness of horses and the power of chariots, devours the land like fire, transforming it from a garden of Eden into a desolate wilderness. They are an unyielding force, scaling walls and entering homes, causing the earth and heavens to tremble, and the sun, moon, and stars to darken. The LORD Himself utters His voice before this great army, underscoring the terror of His day. Amidst this pronouncement of judgment, the LORD extends a call to sincere repentance, urging His people to return to Him with their whole heart through fasting, weeping, and mourning. He emphasizes the rending of the heart, not just garments, for He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. A solemn assembly is mandated, gathering all people—from elders to infants, bridegrooms to brides—with priests interceding between the porch and the altar, pleading for God to spare His heritage from reproach. Upon this genuine turning, the LORD promises a profound restoration. He declares His jealousy for His land and pity for His people, vowing to send abundant corn, wine, and oil, satisfying them and removing their reproach among the nations. The destructive northern army will be driven into a barren land, and the years consumed by locusts and other pests will be restored. The land and its beasts are encouraged to rejoice, for the LORD will do great things, providing former and latter rains. The people will eat in plenty, praise the LORD, and never again be ashamed, knowing His presence in their midst. Finally, the chapter prophesies a future outpouring of the LORD's Spirit upon all flesh, enabling sons and daughters to prophesy, old men to dream dreams, and young men to see visions, even upon servants and handmaids. Wonders in the heavens and earth—blood, fire, and pillars of smoke, with the sun darkened and moon turned to blood—will precede the great and terrible Day of the LORD. Yet, a promise of deliverance is given: whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be saved, finding refuge in Mount Zion and Jerusalem among the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Core Concepts

  • The Day of the LORDA terrifying, imminent day of judgment, characterized by darkness, cosmic disturbances, and the advance of a powerful, destructive army.
  • Call to RepentanceAn urgent divine summons for the people to return to God with their whole heart, expressed through sincere fasting, weeping, and mourning, emphasizing inward change over outward ritual.
  • Divine Mercy and GraceGod's character as gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, offering the possibility of relenting from threatened judgment upon genuine repentance.
  • Restoration of BlessingsThe LORD's promise to reverse the devastation caused by the destructive army and pests, providing abundant agricultural prosperity (corn, wine, oil) and removing national shame.
  • Outpouring of the SpiritA future prophecy where God's Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh, enabling prophecy, dreams, and visions across all ages and social strata.
  • Cosmic SignsWonders in the heavens and earth, such as the sun darkening and the moon turning to blood, that will precede the great and terrible Day of the LORD.
  • Deliverance for the CalledThe assurance that in the face of impending judgment, whosoever calls upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered, finding salvation in Zion and Jerusalem.