Joel 2:8

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

Modern
They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks.
Traditional
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.
Literal
A man and his brother do not jostle, each man marches in his path; between the weapon they lunge; they are not cut down.
Latin
Unusquisque fratrem suum non coarctabit, singuli in calle suo ambulabunt; sed et per fenestras cadent, et non demolientur.

Original

Hebrew
English
They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks.

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 Path

Topics

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