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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joel 2:2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joel/2-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/29_Jol_02_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joel 2:2 - The Army of Locusts" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joel/2-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joel/2-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joel/">Joel</a> > <a href="/joel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joel/2-1.htm" title="Joel 2:1">◄</a> Joel 2:2 <a href="/joel/2-3.htm" title="Joel 2:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/joel/2.htm">New International Version</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. <a href="/nlt/joel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds and deep blackness. Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains, a great and mighty army appears. Nothing like it has been seen before or will ever be seen again. <a href="/esv/joel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. <a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come. <a href="/kjv/joel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> 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 href="/nkjv/joel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations. <a href="/nasb_/joel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations. <a href="/nasb/joel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations. <a href="/nasb77/joel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a great and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it To the years of many generations. <a href="/lsb/joel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> A day of darkness and thick darkness, A day of clouds and dense gloom. As the dawn is spread over the mountains, So there is a numerous and mighty people; There has never been anything like it, Nor will there be again after it For the years from generation to generation. <a href="/amp/joel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and of thick [dark] mist, Like the dawn spread over the mountains; There is a [pagan, hostile] people numerous and mighty, The like of which has never been before Nor will be again afterward Even for years of many generations. <a href="/csb/joel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and total darkness, like the dawn spreading over the mountains; a great and strong people appears, such as never existed in ages past and never will again in all the generations to come. <a href="/hcsb/joel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and dense overcast, like the dawn spreading over the mountains; a great and strong people appears, such as never existed in ages past and never will again in all the generations to come. <a href="/asv/joel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations. <a href="/cev/joel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> It will be dark and gloomy with storm clouds overhead. Troops will cover the mountains like thunderclouds. No army this powerful has ever been gathered before or will be gathered again. <a href="/erv/joel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong, there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations. <a href="/gwt/joel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> It is a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and overcast skies. A large and mighty army will spread over the mountains like the dawn. Nothing like this has ever happened. Nothing like this will ever happen again. <a href="/gnt/joel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> It will be a dark and gloomy day, a black and cloudy day. The great army of locusts advances like darkness spreading over the mountains. There has never been anything like it, and there never will be again. <a href="/isv/joel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> A day of doom and gloom, a day of clouds and shadows like the dawn spreads out to cover the mountains— a people strong and robust. Never has there been anything like it, neither will anything follow to compare with it, even through the lifetime of generation upon generation." <a href="/msb/joel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like the dawn overspreading the mountains a great and strong army appears, such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come. <a href="/net/joel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> It will be a day of dreadful darkness, a day of foreboding storm clouds, like blackness spread over the mountains. It is a huge and powerful army--there has never been anything like it ever before, and there will not be anything like it for many generations to come! <a href="/nheb/joel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As blackness spreading on the mountains a great and powerful people; there has never been the like, neither will there be any more after them, even after the years of many generations. <a href="/wbt/joel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 href="/web/joel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness. As the dawn spreading on the mountains, a great and strong people; there has never been the like, neither will there be any more after them, even to the years of many generations. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> A day of darkness and thick darkness, "" A day of cloud and thick darkness, "" As darkness spread on the mountains, "" A people numerous and mighty, "" Like there has not been from of old, "" And after it there is not again—Until the years of generation and generation. <a href="/ylt/joel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> A day of darkness and thick darkness, A day of cloud and thick darkness, As darkness spread on the mountains, A people numerous and mighty, Like it there hath not been from of old, And after it there is not again -- till the years of generation and generation. <a href="/slt/joel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> A day of darkness and of thick darkness; a day of cloud and gloom as the morning spread upon the mountains: great and strong people; the like to him was not from forever, and after him there shall not be added even to the years of generation and generation.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> A day of darkness, and of gloominess, a day of clouds and whirlwinds: a numerous and strong people as the morning spread upon the mountains: the like to it hath not been from the beginning, nor shall be after it even to the years of generation and generation. <a href="/cpdv/joel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and whirlwinds. Like the morning reaching over the mountains, they are a numerous and strong people. Nothing like them has existed since the beginning, nor will exist after them, even in the years of generation upon generation. <a href="/nabre/joel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of thick clouds! Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a vast and mighty army! Nothing like it has ever happened in ages past, nor will the future hold anything like it, even to the most distant generations. <a href="/nrsvce/joel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness spread upon the mountains a great and powerful army comes; their like has never been from of old, nor will be again after them in ages to come.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And the day of darkness and gloom is near, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, like the morning spread upon the mountains; it shall come upon a great and strong people; there has not been ever the like from of old, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. <a href="/hpbt/joel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> The day of darkness and of thick darkness a day of clouds and of dark fog like the dawn that is spread on the mountains, a people many and strong the likes of which has not been from eternity, and after it shall not be until the years of a generation of generations<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, As blackness spread upon the mountains; A great people and a mighty, There hath not been ever the like, Neither shall be any more after them, Even to the years of many generations. <a href="/sep/joel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> for a day of darkness and gloominess is near, a day of cloud and mist: a numerous and strong people shall be spread upon the mountains as the morning; there has not been from the beginning one like it, and after it there shall not be again even to the years of many generations. <a href="/parallel/joel/2-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEU9eLLsIkI?start=229" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">The Army of Locusts</a> 1Blow 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— 2<a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">a day</a> <a href="/hebrew/2822.htm" title="2822: ḥō·šeḵ (N-ms) -- From chashak; the dark; hence darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.">of darkness</a> <a href="/hebrew/653.htm" title="653: wa·’ă·p̄ê·lāh (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- Darkness, gloominess, calamity. Feminine of 'aphel; duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment.">and gloom,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yō·wm (N-msc) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">a day</a> <a href="/hebrew/6051.htm" title="6051: ‘ā·nān (N-ms) -- A cloud mass, cloud. From anan; a cloud, i.e. The nimbus or thunder-cloud.">of clouds</a> <a href="/hebrew/6205.htm" title="6205: wa·‘ă·rā·p̄el (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Cloud, heavy cloud. Probably from araph; gloom.">and blackness.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7837.htm" title="7837: kə·ša·ḥar (Prep-k:: N-ms) -- Dawn. From shachar; dawn.">Like the dawn</a> <a href="/hebrew/6566.htm" title="6566: pā·ruś (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To spread out, spread. A primitive root; to break apart, disperse, etc.">overspreading</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: he·hā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">the mountains</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: raḇ (Adj-ms) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">a great</a> <a href="/hebrew/6099.htm" title="6099: wə·‘ā·ṣūm (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Mighty, numerous. Or matsum; passive participle of atsam; powerful; by implication, numerous.">and strong</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am (N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">army appears,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3644.htm" title="3644: kā·mō·hū (Prep:: 3ms) -- Like, as, when. Or kamow; a form of the prefix k-, but used separately; as, thus, so.">such as</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">never</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: nih·yāh (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">was</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses.">of</a> <a href="/hebrew/5769.htm" title="5769: hā·‘ō·w·lām (Art:: N-ms) -- Long duration, antiquity, futurity. ">old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: wə·’a·ḥă·rāw (Conj-w:: Prep:: 3ms) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">nor will ever be</a> <a href="/hebrew/3254.htm" title="3254: yō·w·sêp̄ (V-Hifil-Imperf.Jus-3ms) -- To add. A primitive root; to add or augment."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šə·nê (N-fpc) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">in ages to come.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: dō·wr (N-ms) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1755.htm" title="1755: wā·ḏō·wr (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Period, generation, dwelling. Or dor; from duwr; properly, a revolution of time, i.e. An age or generation; also a dwelling."></a> 3Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—surely nothing will escape them.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Zephaniah 1:15</a> That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, <a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Amos 5:18</a> Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light. <a href="/matthew/24-29.htm">Matthew 24:29-31</a> Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ / At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. <a href="/revelation/6-12.htm">Revelation 6:12-17</a> And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, / and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. / The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. ... <a href="/isaiah/13-9.htm">Isaiah 13:9-10</a> Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. / For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not give their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. <a href="/malachi/4-5.htm">Malachi 4:5</a> Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. <a href="/acts/2-20.htm">Acts 2:20</a> The sun will be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord. <a href="/jeremiah/30-7.htm">Jeremiah 30:7</a> How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it. <a href="/daniel/12-1.htm">Daniel 12:1</a> “At that time Michael, the great prince who stands watch over your people, will rise up. There will be a time of distress, the likes of which will not have occurred from the beginning of nations until that time. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. <a href="/revelation/16-10.htm">Revelation 16:10</a> And the fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness, and men began to gnaw their tongues in anguish <a href="/ezekiel/30-3.htm">Ezekiel 30:3</a> For the day is near, the Day of the LORD is near. It will be a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. <a href="/obadiah/1-15.htm">Obadiah 1:15</a> 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. <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:2-3</a> For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. <a href="/isaiah/34-4.htm">Isaiah 34:4</a> All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree. <a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25-26</a> There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread on the mountains: a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.A day of darkness.<a href="/joel/2-10.htm">Joel 2:10,31</a> 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: … <a href="/joel/3-14.htm">Joel 3:14,15</a> Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision… <a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Exodus 20:21</a> And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.as.<a href="/amos/4-13.htm">Amos 4:13</a> For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is his thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name.a great.<a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Joel 2:5,11,25</a> 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… <a href="/joel/1-6.htm">Joel 1:6</a> For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.there.<a href="/joel/1-2.htm">Joel 1:2,3</a> Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? … <a href="/exodus/10-6.htm">Exodus 10:6,14</a> And they shall fill thy houses, and the houses of all thy servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians; which neither thy fathers, nor thy fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were upon the earth unto this day. And he turned himself, and went out from Pharaoh… <a href="/daniel/12-1.htm">Daniel 12:1</a> And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.many generations.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-7.htm">Deuteronomy 32:7</a> Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.<a href="/psalms/10-6.htm">Psalm 10:6</a> He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/lamentations/4-8.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/daniel/7-13.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/hosea/10-15.htm">Dawn</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-19.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Gloominess</a> <a href="/joel/1-6.htm">Great</a> <a href="/joel/1-15.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/hosea/13-3.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/hosea/10-8.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/hosea/14-6.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/hosea/10-1.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/joel/1-6.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/ezekiel/41-26.htm">Thick</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Blackness</a> <a href="/micah/5-12.htm">Clouds</a> <a href="/joel/2-31.htm">Darkness</a> <a href="/jonah/4-7.htm">Dawn</a> <a href="/joel/3-20.htm">Generations</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Gloominess</a> <a href="/joel/2-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Mighty</a> <a href="/amos/4-4.htm">Morning</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/joel/2-9.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/matthew/21-8.htm">Spreading</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/amos/5-20.htm">Thick</a><div class="vheading2">Joel 2</div>1. <a href="/joel/2-1.htm">He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.</a> 12. <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">He exhorts to repentance;</a> 15. <a href="/joel/2-15.htm">prescribes a fast;</a> 18. <a href="/joel/2-18.htm">promises a blessing thereon.</a> 21. <a href="/joel/2-21.htm">He comforts Zion with present,</a> 28. <a href="/joel/2-28.htm">and future blessings.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joel/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>a day of darkness and gloom This phrase signifies a time of divine judgment and calamity. Darkness and gloom are often used in the Bible to describe the Day of the Lord, a time when God intervenes in human history to execute judgment (<a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Amos 5:18-20</a>, <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Zephaniah 1:15</a>). The imagery of darkness can also symbolize spiritual blindness and the absence of God's favor. In the context of Joel, it may refer to the locust plague that devastated the land, serving as a precursor to a more significant judgment.a day of clouds and blackness Clouds and blackness further emphasize the severity and ominous nature of the coming judgment. In biblical literature, clouds often accompany the presence of God, as seen in <a href="/exodus/19-9.htm">Exodus 19:9</a> when God descends on Mount Sinai. The blackness suggests an overwhelming and inescapable disaster, reinforcing the seriousness of the prophetic warning. This imagery is consistent with apocalyptic literature, which uses dramatic natural phenomena to convey divine intervention.Like the dawn overspreading the mountains This simile illustrates the sudden and all-encompassing nature of the approaching army. Just as dawn rapidly spreads light across the mountains, the army will swiftly cover the land. The imagery suggests inevitability and thoroughness, indicating that the judgment will be complete and unavoidable. The dawn also contrasts with the darkness mentioned earlier, highlighting the transition from one state to another.a great and strong army appears The army is described as formidable and powerful, symbolizing the instrument of God's judgment. In the immediate context, this could refer to the locusts, which are depicted as an invading force in <a href="/joel/1.htm">Joel 1</a>. However, it also foreshadows future invasions by foreign powers, such as the Assyrians or Babylonians. Theologically, this army represents God's sovereignty over nations and His ability to use them to fulfill His purposes.such as never was of old, nor will ever be in ages to come This hyperbolic language emphasizes the unprecedented nature of the coming judgment. It echoes similar expressions found in other prophetic books, such as <a href="/daniel/12.htm">Daniel 12:1</a> and <a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Matthew 24:21</a>, which describe unparalleled times of distress. The phrase underscores the seriousness of the situation and serves as a call to repentance. It also points to the eschatological Day of the Lord, when ultimate judgment and restoration will occur.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joel.htm">Joel</a> The prophet who authored the book, delivering God's message to the people of Judah. 2. <a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a> The southern kingdom of Israel, the primary audience of Joel's prophecy. 3. <a href="/topical/d/day_of_the_lord.htm">Day of the LORD</a> A significant event in biblical prophecy, often associated with judgment and divine intervention. 4. <a href="/topical/g/great_and_strong_army.htm">Great and Strong Army</a> Symbolic of the impending judgment and the power of God's intervention. 5. <a href="/topical/m/mountains.htm">Mountains</a> Often symbolic in scripture, representing stability, permanence, and sometimes the presence of God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_divine_judgment.htm">Understanding Divine Judgment</a> <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2</a> serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the reality of His judgment. It calls believers to live in reverence and obedience, recognizing the seriousness of sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god.htm">The Power of God</a> The imagery of a "great and strong army" underscores God's unmatched power. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God is mighty to save and protect those who are His. <a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_darkness.htm">Hope Amidst Darkness</a> While the prophecy speaks of darkness, it also points to the dawn. This duality encourages believers to trust in God's ultimate plan for redemption and restoration. <a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a> The impending judgment is a call to repentance. Believers are urged to examine their lives, turn from sin, and seek God's mercy. <a href="/topical/p/preparation_for_the_day_of_the_lord.htm">Preparation for the Day of the LORD</a> Understanding the prophetic nature of Joel's message encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, preparing for Christ's return.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joel 2</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_role_of_the_tribe_of_dan.htm">What is Joel's Army?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_joel's_army.htm">What is Joel's Army?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_day_of_the_lord_signify.htm">What does the Day of the Lord signify?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_joel_2_1-11_events.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence for the catastrophic events described in Joel 2:1–11? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) The morning spread upon the mountains.--The Hebrew word here used for morning is derived from a verb, Shachar, which has for one meaning "to be or become black," for the second "to break forth" as light. From this latter signification is derived the word for morning--dawn; from the former comes the word "blackness," which gives the name Sihor to the Nile (<a href="/isaiah/23-3.htm" title="And by great waters the seed of Sihor, the harvest of the river, is her revenue; and she is a mart of nations.">Isaiah 23:3</a>). It seems accordingly more in harmony with the present context to take the sense of the word in its reference to blackness, and to understand it as indicating a thick, dark, rolling cloud settled upon the mountain top. The description following comprehends equally the natural and political locusts.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - A day of darkness and of glooming, a day of clouds and of thick darkness. It was, indeed, a day of Divine judgment, a day of sore distress. Besides the common terms for "darkness" and "cloud," there are two other terms, אֲפֵלָה, thick and dense darkness, such as ensues after sunset; the root אָפַל, though not used in the Hebrew, is cognate with the Arabic afala, properly, to "set as the sun:" compare naphal, nabhal, abhal; while עְרָפֶל is blended from the triliterals עָרִיפ, a cloud, and אָפַל, to be dark (compare ὀρφνός and ὀρφνή), darkness of donas, thick clouds. (1) Some understand this darkness literally, as in the description of the plague of locusts in Egypt it is written, "They covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened." (2) Others understand it figuratively, as light denotes prosperity, and darkness adversity. Thus Kimchi says, "Affliction is likened to darkness, as joy is likened to light." At the same time, he mentions the literal exposition: "Or," he says, "through the multitude of the locusts the land is darkened;" and refers to <a href="/exodus/10-15.htm">Exodus 10:15</a>, "For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened." As the morning spread upon the mountains. (1) Some explain this of the locust-army stretching far like the morning light, as it breaks over the hills. Thus Pococke, "If shachar be rendered, as most generally, the morning, and the light thereof meant, then the meaning thereof seems to express the sudden coming and the widespreading of the thing spoken of, so as not to be hindered, in that resembling the morning light, which in a moment discovers itself on the tops of the mountains (on which it first appeareth), though at never so great a distance one from another." The wide and quick diffusion of this plague, like that of the morning light, is the thing meant. But . . . <a href="/commentaries/joel/2-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>a day י֧וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day of darkness חֹ֣שֶׁךְ (ḥō·šeḵ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2822.htm">Strong's 2822: </a> The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness and gloom, וַאֲפֵלָ֗ה (wa·’ă·p̄ê·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_653.htm">Strong's 653: </a> Duskiness, misfortune, concealment a day י֤וֹם (yō·wm) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day of clouds עָנָן֙ (‘ā·nān) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6051.htm">Strong's 6051: </a> A cloud, the nimbus, thunder-cloud and blackness. וַעֲרָפֶ֔ל (wa·‘ă·rā·p̄el) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6205.htm">Strong's 6205: </a> Cloud, heavy cloud Like the dawn כְּשַׁ֖חַר (kə·ša·ḥar) Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7837.htm">Strong's 7837: </a> Dawn overspreading פָּרֻ֣שׂ (pā·ruś) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6566.htm">Strong's 6566: </a> To break apart, disperse the mountains הֶֽהָרִ֑ים (he·hā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> Mountain, hill, hill country a great רַ֣ב (raḇ) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great and strong וְעָצ֔וּם (wə·‘ā·ṣūm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6099.htm">Strong's 6099: </a> Powerful, numerous people appears, עַ֚ם (‘am) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock such as כָּמֹ֗הוּ (kā·mō·hū) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3644.htm">Strong's 3644: </a> Like, as, when never לֹ֤א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no was נִֽהְיָה֙ (nih·yāh) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be of מִן־ (min-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4480.htm">Strong's 4480: </a> A part of, from, out of old, הָ֣עוֹלָ֔ם (hā·‘ō·w·lām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5769.htm">Strong's 5769: </a> Concealed, eternity, frequentatively, always nor will ever be לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no in ages שְׁנֵ֖י (šə·nê) Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year to come. וְאַֽחֲרָיו֙ (wə·’a·ḥă·rāw) Conjunctive waw | Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joel/2-2.htm">Joel 2:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 2:2 A day of darkness and gloominess (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/2-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 2:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 2:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/2-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 2:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 2:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>