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;
Zion . See App-68 .
sound an alarm. Ref to Pentateuch (Numbers 10:5 , Numbers 10:9 ). App-92 , My. Note the Pronoun, and see notes on Joel 1:6 , Joel 1:7 .
holy mountain = mountain of My sanctuary. holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .
the day of the LORD. See notes on Joel 1:15 . This is the subject of the book. Compare Obadiah 1:15 .Zephaniah 1:14 , Zephaniah 1:15 .
the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
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.
A. day , &c. Compare Amos 5:18 , Amos 5:20 .
morning = blackness, or darkness. Hebrew. shahar, A Homonym. with two meanings: (1) to be black or dark (Job 30:30 ). Hence put for seeking in the early morning while yet dark (Psalms 78:34 ; Psalms 78:63 , Psalms 78:1 .Proverbs 1:28 . Isaiah 26:9 . Hosea 5:15 , &c.); (2) dawn or morning (Genesis 19:15 ; Genesis 32:24 , Genesis 32:26 . Joshua 6:15 .Hosea 6:3 ; Hosea 10:15 , &c.)
a great people. Symbolized by the locusts in Joel 1:4 .
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.
A fire, &c. Compare Joel 1:19 , Joel 1:20 .
them. The northern army (Joel 2:11 ) symbolized by the locusts of Joel 1:4 .
the garden of Eden. Reference to Pentateuch (Genesis 2:8 ; Genesis 2:13 , Genesis 2:10 ). App-92 . Compare Isaiah 51:3 .Ezekiel 36:35 .
a desolate wilderness. Compare Joel 3:19 . Psalms 107:34 .
4.
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
The appearance of them: i.e. the army of Joel 2:20 , symbolized by the locusts of Joel 1:4 . Compare Revelation 9:7 .
horsemen = war-horses (Habakkuk 1:8 ).
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.
Like the noise, &c. Compare Revelation 9:9 . Connect this with the end of Joel 2:4 .
on the tops, &c. The Hebrew accents connect this with the leaping, not with the chariots.
leap = rattle along.
as a strong people. Compare Joel 2:2 . Not locusts. The symbol must not be confused with what is symbolized.
6.
Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
people = people's.
blackness = paleness.
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:
men. Heir plural of 'enosh . App-14 .
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.
thrust = jostle, or press.
walk = march, as in Joel 2:7 .
sword = weapons. Hebrew. shelach = missiles, supposed to be "a late word" because not used earlier than 2 Chronicles 23:10 ; 2 Chronicles 32:5 .Nehemiah 4:17 , Nehemiah 4:23 ; but it is used in Job 33:18 ; Job 36:12 .Song of Solomon 4:13 .
they shall not , &c. Compare Revelation 9 . The whole scene belongs to "the day of the Lord". Only confusion arises from not keeping the symbol distinct from what is symbolized.
be wounded = stop.
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.
run . . in the city . . climb . . . enter, &c. These are put for the acts of men.
like a thief. A thief is a man (not an insect); so are these. Compare Matthew 24:43 , Matthew 24:44 .Luke 12:39 , 1 Thessalonians 5:2 . 2 Peter 3:10 .
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:
the sun and the moon shall be dark. Another proof of what is signified; and that this prophecy concerns what is future. Compare Joel 3:15 . See Matthew 24:29 . Compare Isaiah 13:10 . Ezekiel 32:7 , Ezekiel 32:8 . Acts 2:20 . Revelation 6:12 .
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?
great, &c. Compare Joel 2:31 .Jeremiah 30:7 . Amos 5:18 . Zephaniah 1:15 .
who can abide it? Ref to Pentateuch (Numbers 21:23 ). App-92 . Compare Jeremiah 10:10 . Zephaniah 1:14 .Malachi 3:2 .
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:
Therefore , &c. Another call ("F", Joel 2:12 , corresponding with "F", Joel 2:1 ). See the Structure, p. 1226.
saith the LORD = [is] Jehovah's oracle.
turn ye = turn ye back, or return.
to = quite up to, as in Hosea 14:1 .
with all your heart. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 6:5 ). and. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Syriac, and Vulgate, unlit this "and".
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.
rend your heart. Compare Psalms 34:18 ; Psalms 51:17 .
your garments. Ref, to Pentateuch (Genesis 37:34 ). App-92 . God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .
he is gracious, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:6 , Exodus 34:7 . Numbers 14:18 ). App-92 . Compare 2 Chronicles 30:9 . Nehemiah 9:17 , Nehemiah 9:31 .Psalms 86:5 , Psalms 86:15 ; Psalms 103:8 ; Psalms 145:8 .
kindness = grace.
repenteth. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .
evil. Hebrew. raa . App-44 .
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?
Who knoweth . . . ? That this refers to Jehovah is clear from Jonah 3:9 .
return turn away from (His fierce anger], as in Jonah 3:9 , whore it is ascribed to "God". Same word as in Joel 2:12 .
a blessing : i.e. a new harvest. Compare Isaiah 65:8 .
meat . . . drink offering , &c. See note on Joel 1:9 , Joel 1:13 .
15.
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
a solemn assembly = a day of restraint. See note on Joel 1:14 .
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.
Gather = Gather in.
sanctify the congregation = hallow a convocation. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 19:10 , Exodus 19:22 ). App-92 .
gather = gather out.
closet = bridal canopy. See notes on Psalms 19:5 and Isaiah 4:5 . The only three occurrences of Heb chuppah,
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?
the priests, the ministers of the LORD. See note on Joel 1:9 .
between, &c. Compare Ezekiel 8:16 .
Spare Thy People, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 32:11 , Exodus 32:12 Deuteronomy 9:26 , Deuteronomy 9:29 ). App-92 . Compare Nehemiah 13:22 .
Thine heritage . Reference to Pentateuch, (Deuteronomy 32:9 ). App-92 .
heathen = nations.
wherefore. ? Figure of speech Erotesis., App-6 . Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 9:26-29 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 42:10 ; Psalms 79:10 ; Psalms 115:2 .Micah 7:10 .
people = peoples,
18.
Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
Jealous for His land, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 32:36-43 ). App-92 . These remind us of the concluding words of the "Song of Moses", and sum up the object and outcome of all the events which go to make up "the day of the Lord".
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:
Behold. Figure of speech Astertismos ( App-6 ), to call attention to the "blessing"
mentioned in Joel 2:14 . corn, &c. Compare Joel 1:10 ; Malachi 3:11 , Malachi 3:12 , The Article is used with each of these in theHebrew text.
wine. Hebrew. tirosh . App-27 .
make you a reproach. See note on "rule", Joel 2:17 .
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.
the northern army. This is what the "locusts" of Joel 1:4 are the symbol of. The prophet does not "forget for a moment" the locusts of Joel 1:4 ; but, here explains the symbol. Locusts do not come from the north. The armies of Revelation 9 , Daniel 1 1 do.
the east sea: i.e. the Dead Sea. Compare Ezekiel 47:18 , Zechariah 14:8 .
the utmost sea = . the Great Sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 11:24 ; Deuteronomy 34:2 ). App-92 . Compare "hinder" in Zechariah 14:8 .
stink shall come up. Referring to the destruction of Isaiah 66:24 .
he. The invader, the antichrist or beast of Dan 7 and Daniel 8 ,
hath done great things = he magnified himself
to do great things. Compare Joe 8:9 , Joe 8:11 , Joe 11:36 , and notes there. This is quite inapplicable to locusts.
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.
Be glad, &c. Figure of speech Apostrophe ( App-6 ), to the people.
children = sons.
moderately = in due measure. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:4 .Deuteronomy 11:14 ; Deuteronomy 28:12 ). App-92 .
in the first month = [as at] the first, or [as] aforetime. Obviously, the two rains do not come in one and the same month.
24.
And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
floors = threshing-floors.
wheat = corn.
fats = vats. Anglo-Saxon (northern) faet, (southern) vat = a vessel, or cask. Literally = that which contains. Hebrew yekeb the reservoir for receiving the wine; not gath, the press where the grapes are pressed. See note on Isaiah 5:2 .
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.
ye shall eat, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:5 ). App-92 .
eat = eat on.
praise, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 19:24 .Deuteronomy 12:7 ; Deuteronomy 16:11 ; Deuteronomy 26:11 ). App-92 .
shall never be ashamed. This is repeated at the end of the next verse by the Figure of speech Epistrophe ( App-6 ) for emphasis. Not "a copyist's error", alleged.
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.
ye shall know, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 26:11-13 .Deuteronomy 23:14; Deuteronomy 23:14 ). App-92 . Compare Ezekiel 37:26-28 .
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:
afterward: i.e. after the "good bestowed" had begun to be enjoyed (Joel 2:21-27 for the nation had been restored under Ezra and Nehemiah; "the light had sprung up" (Isaiah 42:7 . Matthew 4:12-16 . Luke 2:32 ); "the days of the Son of Man" were then present (Luke 17:22 ). "Afterward" would come the days of the Spirit; and "this is that" which was area on "the day of Pentecost", when Joel 2:28 , Joel 2:29 began to be fulfilled. Had the nation repented at the summons of Peter in Acts 3:18-26 , "all things which God bad spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets" would have been fulfilled, including Joel 2:30 , Joel 2:31-32 , (S and R). Malachi 4:5 also would have been taken of John the Baptist if they had received it (Matthew 11:14 ): the Hebrew 'acharei-ken always referring to what follows.
I will pour out My spirit. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis ( App-6 ) used to emphasise the statement included within this sentence, and the repetition of it at the end of Joel 2:29 .
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . This must be put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the "power from on high", or spiritual gifts. See note on Acts 2:4 . God the Holy Spirit cannot be "poured out".
all flesh. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 , for all sorts and conditions of men, as described in the words which follow.
and your daughters. Women are not excluded from spiritual gifts.
prophesy. Not necessarily foretelling, but forthtelling, by speaking for God. Only such as were thus called and gifted could be His spokesmen. Compare Numbers 11:16 , Numbers 11:17 , Numbers 11:29 . See App-78 .
29.
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
servants, &c. Any whom God might call. Elisha was a ploughman, Amos a herdsman.
30.
And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.
I will shew. Compare Matthew 24:29 . Mark 13:24 .
blood, and fire . These are symbols of Divine, judgment; not of salvation by grace.
31.
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
the terrible, &c. This is the time for the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy. Compare Joel 2:1 , Joel 2:11 , Malachi 4:5 .
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.
in mount Zion. Compare Isaiah 46:13 ; Isaiah 59:20 . Obadiah 1:17 . Zechariah 14:1-5 .Romans 11:26 .
Jerusalem. As distinct from Mount Zion. See App-68 .
deliverance = a delivered remnant. Compare Joel 2:3 .
as = according as.
hath said: by Joel and other prophets.
remnant = an escaped set,
shall call = is going to call.