Joel 2:6

Translations

Modern

Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.

Traditional

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

Literal

Before its face the peoples writhe; all faces gather paleness.

Latin

A facie ejus cruciabuntur populi; omnes vultus redigentur in ollam.

Original

Hebrew

English

Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.

Notes

Joel 2:6

Nations writhe in horror before them: Anticipating the invasion prepared the people for the call to repentance in Joel 2:12–14.

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 Joelc. 820 BC

Related verses

Nahum 2:10
She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!
Isaiah 13:8
Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear.
Jeremiah 30:6
Ask now, and see: Can a male give birth? Why then do I see every man with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor and every face turned pale?
Lamentations 4:8
But now their appearance is blacker than soot; they are not recognized in the streets. Their skin has shriveled on their bones; it has become as dry as a stick.
Psalm 119:83
Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.
Jeremiah 8:21
For the brokenness of the daughter of my people I am crushed. I mourn; horror has gripped me.

Joel 2:6

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Parallels?

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics