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The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland--surely nothing will escape them." /><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/2-3.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/2-3.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 3</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="/ad3.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/2-2.htm" title="Joel 2:2">◄</a> Joel 2:3 <a href="/joel/2-4.htm" title="Joel 2:4">►</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> Before them fire devours, behind them a flame blazes. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, behind them, a desert waste— nothing escapes them. <a href="/nlt/joel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Fire burns in front of them, and flames follow after them. Ahead of them the land lies as beautiful as the Garden of Eden. Behind them is nothing but desolation; not one thing escapes. <a href="/esv/joel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them. <a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Before 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. <a href="/kjv/joel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. <a href="/nkjv/joel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them. <a href="/nasb_/joel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame devours. The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them. <a href="/nasb/joel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> A fire consumes before them And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them. <a href="/nasb77/joel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them. <a href="/lsb/joel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> A fire consumes before them, And behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them But a desolate wilderness behind them, And nothing at all escapes them. <a href="/amp/joel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Before them a fire devours, And behind them a flame burns; Before them the land is like the Garden of Eden, But behind them a desolate wilderness; And nothing at all escapes them. <a href="/csb/joel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> A fire devours in front of them, and behind them a flame blazes. The land in front of them is like the garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland; there is no escape from them. <a href="/hcsb/joel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> A fire destroys in front of them, and behind them a flame devours. The land in front of them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland; there is no escape from them. <a href="/asv/joel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them. <a href="/cev/joel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Fiery flames surround them; no one escapes. Before they invaded, the land was like Eden; now only a desert remains. <a href="/erv/joel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and none hath escaped them. <a href="/gwt/joel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In front of this army a fire burns. Behind it flames are blazing. In front of it the land is like the garden of Eden. Behind it the land is like a barren desert. Nothing escapes it! <a href="/gnt/joel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Like fire they eat up the plants. In front of them the land is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them it is a barren desert. Nothing escapes them. <a href="/isv/joel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> "A fire blazes in their presence, and behind them a conflagration rages. Before they come, the land is like the garden in Eden; after they leave, there is only a barren wasteland. Indeed, nothing escapes them. <a href="/msb/joel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Before 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. <a href="/net/joel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Like fire they devour everything in their path; a flame blazes behind them. The land looks like the Garden of Eden before them, but behind them there is only a desolate wilderness--for nothing escapes them! <a href="/nheb/joel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> A fire devours before them, and behind them, a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them, a desolate wilderness. Yes, and no one has escaped them. <a href="/wbt/joel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; and nothing shall escape them. <a href="/web/joel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> A fire devours before them, and behind them, a flame burns. The land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them, a desolate wilderness. Yes, and no one has escaped them. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Before it fire has consumed, "" And after it a flame burns, "" As the Garden of Eden [is] the land before it, "" And after it a wilderness—a desolation! And also there has not been to it an escape, <a href="/ylt/joel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Before it consumed hath fire, And after it burn doth a flame, As the garden of Eden is the land before it, And after it a wilderness -- a desolation! And also an escape there hath not been to it, <a href="/slt/joel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Before him a fire devoured, and after him a flame shall burn; the land as the garden of Eden before him, and after him a desert of desolation; and also there was no escaping to him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Before the face thereof a devouring fire, and behind it a burning flame: the land is like a garden of pleasure before it, and behind it a desolate wilderness, neither is there any one that can escape it. <a href="/cpdv/joel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Before their face is a devouring fire, and behind them is a burning flame. The land before them is like a lush garden, and behind them is a desolate desert, and there is no one who can escape them. <a href="/nabre/joel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Before it, fire devours, behind it flame scorches. The land before it is like the garden of Eden, and behind it, a desolate wilderness; from it nothing escapes. <a href="/nrsvce/joel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Fire devours in front of them, and behind them a flame burns. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, but after them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns; the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; and nothing shall escape them. <a href="/hpbt/joel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Before it the fire consumes and after it the flame burns the land before it like Paradise of Eden, and behind it is a desolate wilderness, and nothing shall escape from it<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> A fire devoureth before them, And behind them a flame blazeth; The land is as the garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Yea, and nothing escapeth them. <a href="/sep/joel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Before them is a consuming fire, and behind them is a flame kindled: the land before them is as a paradise of delight, and behind them a desolate plain: and there shall none of them escape. <a href="/parallel/joel/2-3.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=246" 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> …2a 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. 3<a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">Before them</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">a fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ’ā·ḵə·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">devours,</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.">and behind them</a> <a href="/hebrew/3852.htm" title="3852: le·hā·ḇāh (N-fs) -- Flame, blade. Or lahebeth; feminine of lahab, and meaning the same.">a flame</a> <a href="/hebrew/3857.htm" title="3857: tə·la·hêṭ (V-Piel-Imperf-3fs) -- To blaze up, flame. A primitive root; properly, to lick, i.e. to blaze.">scorches.</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">The land</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before them</a> <a href="/hebrew/1588.htm" title="1588: kə·ḡan- (Prep-k:: N-csc) -- An enclosure, garden. From ganan; a garden.">is like the Garden</a> <a href="/hebrew/5731.htm" title="5731: ‘ê·ḏen (N-proper-fs) -- The garden home of Adam and Eve. The same as eden; Eden, the region of Adam's home.">of Eden,</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.">but behind them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: miḏ·bar (N-msc) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">it is like a desert</a> <a href="/hebrew/8077.htm" title="8077: šə·mā·māh (N-fs) -- Devastation, waste. Or shimamah; feminine of shamem; devastation; figuratively, astonishment.">wasteland—</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">surely</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.">nothing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">will</a> <a href="/hebrew/6413.htm" title="6413: pə·lê·ṭāh (N-fs) -- An escape. Or pletah; feminine of paliyt; deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion.">escape</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">them.</a> 4Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.…<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="/revelation/9-7.htm">Revelation 9:7-10</a> And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads; and their faces were like the faces of men. / They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions. / They also had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. ... <a href="/isaiah/51-3.htm">Isaiah 51:3</a> For the LORD will comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her wilderness like Eden and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and melodious song. <a href="/ezekiel/36-35.htm">Ezekiel 36:35</a> Then they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The cities that were once ruined, desolate, and destroyed are now fortified and inhabited.’ <a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Genesis 2:8-9</a> And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed. / Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. <a href="/isaiah/13-8.htm">Isaiah 13:8-9</a> 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. / 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. <a href="/jeremiah/4-23.htm">Jeremiah 4:23-26</a> I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. / I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. / I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. ... <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">Revelation 9:2-3</a> The star opened the pit of the Abyss, and smoke rose out of it like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke from the pit. / And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. <a href="/isaiah/34-8.htm">Isaiah 34:8-10</a> For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. / Edom’s streams will be turned to tar, and her soil to sulfur; her land will become a blazing pitch. / It will not be quenched—day or night. Its smoke will ascend forever. From generation to generation it will lie desolate; no one will ever again pass through it. <a href="/amos/7-4.htm">Amos 7:4</a> This is what the Lord GOD showed me: The Lord GOD was calling for judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. <a href="/isaiah/64-10.htm">Isaiah 64:10-11</a> Your holy cities have become a wilderness. Zion has become a wasteland and Jerusalem a desolation. / Our holy and beautiful temple, where our fathers praised You, has been burned with fire, and all that was dear to us lies in ruins. <a href="/matthew/24-21.htm">Matthew 24:21</a> For at that time there will be great tribulation, unseen from the beginning of the world until now, and never to be seen again. <a href="/revelation/8-7.htm">Revelation 8:7</a> Then the first angel sounded his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, along with a third of the trees and all the green grass. <a href="/isaiah/32-15.htm">Isaiah 32:15</a> until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high. Then the desert will be an orchard, and the orchard will seem like a forest. <a href="/ezekiel/31-8.htm">Ezekiel 31:8-9</a> The cedars in the garden of God could not rival it; the cypresses could not compare with its branches, nor the plane trees match its boughs. No tree in the garden of God could compare with its beauty. / I made it beautiful with its many branches, the envy of all the trees of Eden, which were in the garden of God.’ <a href="/revelation/18-8.htm">Revelation 18:8-9</a> Therefore her plagues will come in one day—death and grief and famine—and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.” / Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yes, and nothing shall escape them.fire.<a href="/joel/1-19.htm">Joel 1:19,20</a> O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field… <a href="/psalms/50-3.htm">Psalm 50:3</a> Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.<a href="/amos/7-4.htm">Amos 7:4</a> Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and, behold, the Lord GOD called to contend by fire, and it devoured the great deep, and did eat up a part.the land.<a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Genesis 2:8</a> And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.<a href="/genesis/13-10.htm">Genesis 13:10</a> And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.<a href="/isaiah/51-3.htm">Isaiah 51:3</a> For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.and behind.<a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4-7</a> That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten… <a href="/exodus/10-5.htm">Exodus 10:5,15</a> And they shall cover the face of the earth, that one cannot be able to see the earth: and they shall eat the residue of that which is escaped, which remaineth unto you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which groweth for you out of the field: … <a href="/jeremiah/5-17.htm">Jeremiah 5:17</a> And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Blazes</a> <a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/hosea/13-5.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/hosea/8-5.htm">Burns</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/jeremiah/5-14.htm">Consumes</a> <a href="/hosea/13-5.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/joel/1-18.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/joel/1-7.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/joel/1-15.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-28.htm">Devoureth</a> <a href="/lamentations/2-3.htm">Devours</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-35.htm">Eden</a> <a href="/daniel/11-42.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/ezekiel/33-22.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-26.htm">Escapes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-26.htm">Escapeth</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/joel/1-19.htm">Flame</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-35.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/joel/1-10.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/daniel/11-39.htm">Land</a> <a href="/hosea/12-13.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/ezekiel/36-38.htm">Unpeopled</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/joel/1-20.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hosea/7-6.htm">Blazes</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-18.htm">Burn</a> <a href="/amos/6-10.htm">Burneth</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/amos/6-10.htm">Burns</a> <a href="/amos/1-4.htm">Consumed</a> <a href="/nahum/3-13.htm">Consumes</a> <a href="/joel/3-19.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/joel/2-20.htm">Desolate</a> <a href="/joel/3-19.htm">Desolation</a> <a href="/joel/3-19.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Devoureth</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Devours</a> <a href="/amos/1-5.htm">Eden</a> <a href="/joel/2-32.htm">Escape</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-14.htm">Escaped</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-5.htm">Escapes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-10.htm">Escapeth</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Flame</a> <a href="/matthew/13-32.htm">Garden</a> <a href="/joel/2-32.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/joel/2-20.htm">Land</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-17.htm">Safe</a> <a href="/joel/2-23.htm">Sends</a> <a href="/amos/7-9.htm">Unpeopled</a> <a href="/joel/2-22.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/joel/2-22.htm">Wilderness</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>Before them a fire devours This phrase suggests a consuming destruction that precedes the advancing army, often interpreted as a locust plague or an invading force. In biblical context, fire is frequently a symbol of judgment and purification (e.g., <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2-3</a>). The imagery of fire devouring aligns with the destructive power of God's judgment as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Jeremiah.and behind them a flame scorches The scorched earth left behind signifies total devastation, leaving nothing of value. This reflects the irreversible nature of divine judgment. The dual imagery of fire and flame emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, reminiscent of the aftermath of Sodom and Gomorrah (<a href="/genesis/19-24.htm">Genesis 19:24-25</a>).The land before them is like the Garden of Eden This phrase contrasts the initial beauty and fertility of the land with the devastation that follows. The Garden of Eden represents perfection and abundance (<a href="/genesis/2-8.htm">Genesis 2:8-15</a>). The comparison underscores the severity of the transformation from a state of blessing to one of desolation due to sin and judgment.but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland The transformation from Edenic beauty to a barren desert highlights the consequences of turning away from God. The desert wasteland is a frequent biblical metaphor for desolation and divine judgment (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/34-9.htm">Isaiah 34:9-10</a>). This imagery serves as a warning of the spiritual barrenness that results from disobedience.surely nothing will escape them This phrase emphasizes the totality and inescapability of the impending judgment. It reflects the comprehensive nature of God's sovereignty and justice, as seen in other scriptures like <a href="/amos/9.htm">Amos 9:1-4</a>. The certainty of this statement serves as a call to repentance and reliance on God's mercy.<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/g/garden_of_eden.htm">Garden of Eden</a> A symbol of perfection and abundance, representing the land before the devastation. 4. <a href="/topical/d/desert_wasteland.htm">Desert Wasteland</a> The aftermath of destruction, symbolizing desolation and judgment. 5. <a href="/topical/l/locust_plague.htm">Locust Plague</a> Often interpreted as a literal or metaphorical army bringing destruction, representing God's judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_judgment.htm">The Reality of Judgment</a> God's judgment is real and often depicted through vivid imagery to convey its seriousness. The transformation from Eden to wasteland serves as a stark warning of the consequences of sin. <a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a> The devastation described is a call to repentance. Just as the land can be restored, so can our relationship with God when we turn back to Him. <a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a> God is in control of both blessing and judgment. Understanding His sovereignty helps us trust in His plans, even when they involve discipline. <a href="/topical/h/hope_amidst_desolation.htm">Hope Amidst Desolation</a> While the imagery is bleak, it also points to the possibility of restoration. God's ultimate desire is to bring His people back to a state of blessing. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance</a> The sudden shift from Eden to wasteland reminds us to remain spiritually vigilant, always seeking to align our lives with God's will.<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_tree_of_knowledge.htm">What is the tree of knowledge of good and evil?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_christians_back_pro-life.htm">What does it mean to be outside of paradise?</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 href="/q/exodus_8_2-4__why_no_evidence_of_frogs.htm">Exodus 8:2–4: How could millions of frogs suddenly appear everywhere without leaving clear historical or scientific evidence? </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>(3) Before them . . . behind them.--As with the locusts, so with the invading hosts of enemies: the country is found a paradise, and left a desert.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 3. - A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth. (1) The fire was the extreme drought preceding them; and the flame refers to the devastation of the locusts, for the places laid waste by them presented the appearance of being burnt with fire, the locusts consuming not only the grain and grass, but the very roots. (2) Or it may refer to the locusts themselves; their destructive power being as though fire spread along before them. and flame swept the ground behind them. (3) Or the fire may have been literally such, the people, in self-de fence, kindling it to stop, or turn aside, or drive away the advance of the locust-army. . . . <a href="/commentaries/joel/2-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Before them לְפָנָיו֙ (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face a fire אֵ֔שׁ (’êš) Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> A fire devours, אָ֣כְלָה (’ā·ḵə·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> To eat and behind וְאַחֲרָ֖יו (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 them a flame לֶֽהָבָ֑ה (le·hā·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3852.htm">Strong's 3852: </a> A flash, a sharply polished blade, point of a, weapon scorches. תְּלַהֵ֣ט (tə·la·hêṭ) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3857.htm">Strong's 3857: </a> To blaze up, flame The land הָאָ֜רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land before them לְפָנָ֗יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face is like the Garden כְּגַן־ (kə·ḡan-) Preposition-k | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1588.htm">Strong's 1588: </a> An enclosure, garden of Eden, עֵ֨דֶן (‘ê·ḏen) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5731.htm">Strong's 5731: </a> Eden -- the garden home of Adam and Eve but behind them, 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 it is like a desert מִדְבַּ֣ר (miḏ·bar) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech wasteland— שְׁמָמָ֔ה (šə·mā·māh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8077.htm">Strong's 8077: </a> Devastation, astonishment surely וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and nothing לֹא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no will הָ֥יְתָה (hā·yə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be escape פְּלֵיטָ֖ה (pə·lê·ṭāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6413.htm">Strong's 6413: </a> Deliverance, an escaped portion them. לּֽוֹ׃ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joel/2-3.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 2:3 A fire devours before them and behind (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/2-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 2:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 2:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/2-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 2:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 2:4" /></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>