Bible Commentary

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. 16. An expansion of the injunctions contained in the rest of Joe 1:14 a. sanctify an assembly ] i.e. hold a sacred … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:16”

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 15. Blow ye the horn in Zion ] Repeated verbatim from Joe 2:1, though in a different sense, as a call, namely, to a religious gathering, not as a signal of the approach of judgment (cf. on Amo 2:2). sanctify a fast, call … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:15”

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? 14. Who knoweth if he will ] lit. Who knoweth? he will , i.e. Peradventure he will , or (R.V.) Who knoweth whether he will not ? The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:14”

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. 13. And rent your heart, and not your garments ] The rending of garments was an expression of exceptional emotion, whether … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:13”

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 12. turn ye even to me ] come back from your self-chosen course of sin, return to Me. On the idea of turning (or returning) to God in the Old Testament … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:12”

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? 11. And Jehovah uttereth his voice ] viz. in thunder, as Psa 18:13; Psa 46:6, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:11”

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: 10, 11. The locusts of Joe 2:2-9, as was remarked on Joe 2:1, are to a certain extent idealized, and pictured as more alarming and formidable than ordinary locusts; and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:10”

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. 9. They course about in the city; they run upon the wall ] no sooner have they gained an entrance than they make … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:9”

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. 8. they move along every one in his highway ] or raised way, specially prepared by throwing up earth, stones, &c., and then levelling the surface (Isa 40:3; Isa 57:14; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:8”

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: 7. They run like mighty men] i.e. like warriors, which is what the word ( gibbr) regularly denotes (2Sa 23:8; and comp. on Amo … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 2:7”