Joel 2:7

The Army of Locusts · Joel 2:1–11
Read Joel 2

Translations

Modern
They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.
Traditional
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:
Literal
Like mighty men they run, like men of war they climb the wall, and a man in his ways marches, and they do not swerve from their paths.
Latin
Sicut fortes current; quasi viri bellatores ascendent murum: viri in viis suis gradientur, et non declinabunt a semitis suis.

Original

Hebrew
English
They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.

Notes

The locusts invaded both cities and farms, moving like a well-trained army. They scaled city walls and swarmed over the city. They found every way to enter, even climbing through windows like thieves.

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.

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

Theme notes and profiles

The Day of the Lord

Events

Parallels

Amos 7:1–9

Glossary

Book of Joel Darkness Day of the Lord Locusts

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks: Margin Note) Armies: Marched with Order and Precision Joel: Declares the Terribleness of God's Judgments Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments The Locust of Destructive Enemies Walls of Cities: Adroitness of Soldiers in Scaling Alluded To War: Evils of