Joel 2:1

Translations

Modern

Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—

Traditional

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;

Literal

Blow the shofar in Zion, and give a shout on the mountain of My holiness! Let all those dwelling in the land tremble, for the day of YHWH is coming; indeed, it is near—

Latin

Canite tuba in Sion, ululate in monte sancto meo, conturbentur omnes habitatores terræ: quia venit dies Domini, quia prope est.

Original

Hebrew

English

Blow the ram’s horn in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near—

Notes

Joel 2:1

When attackers threatened an ancient city, the watchmen on the city wall would sound the alarm by blowing a trumpet. This trumpet was a ram’s horn instrument called a shofar (see also Joel 2:15). The sound called all the defenders to fight the enemy.

Joel 2:1–11

Some scholars understand this section as a second description of the locust plague in chapter 1. But in chapter 1, the plague is described as a past event. In this section, the verb tenses seem to describe a future event.

For this reason, other scholars understand the passage as a warning of another locust plague that has not yet happened.

Still other commentators understand this passage as apocalyptic language (symbolic language about God’s future judgment). In this view, the writer uses the imagery of a locust plague to describe an invading human army on the coming day of the Lord.

Joel 1:1–2:17

The prophet Joel describes a severe locust plague that struck Judah and Jerusalem.

Theme notes and profiles

The Day of the Lord

Events

Prophecies of Joel

Related verses

Joel 1:15
Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty.
Joel 2:15
Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly.
1 Peter 4:7
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
Malachi 4:1
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”
Zephaniah 1:14
The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter.
Joel 3:17
Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.
Jeremiah 5:22
Do you not fear Me?” declares the LORD. “Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross? The waves surge, but they cannot prevail. They roar but cannot cross it.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Zephaniah 3:11
On that day you will not be put to shame for any of the deeds by which you have transgressed against Me. For then I will remove from among you those who rejoice in their pride, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain.
Hosea 8:1
Put the ram’s horn to your lips! An eagle looms over the house of the LORD, because the people have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.
Hosea 5:8
Blow the ram’s horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah; raise the battle cry in Beth-aven: Lead on, O Benjamin!
Obadiah 1:15
For the Day of the LORD is near for all the nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your recompense will return upon your own head.

Parallels

Amos 7:1–9

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Book of Joel Day of the Lord Last Days Last Judgment Locusts

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: National Lessons From Church: Backslidden Church: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Church: Zion Day: Times of Adversity Called Day of the Lord Joel: Declares the Terribleness of God's Judgments Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Trumpet: Figurative Trumpet: Sounded in Time of Danger Trumpet: Sounding of, Illustrative of The Bold and Faithful Preaching of Ministers Zion: Collectively, the Place, the Forms, and the Assemblies of Israelite Worship

Joel 2:1

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics