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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 2:9 They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joel/2-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/29_Jol_02_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joel 2:9 - The Army of Locusts" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves." /><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/2-9.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/2-9.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 9</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="/ad9.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/2-8.htm" title="Joel 2:8">◄</a> Joel 2:9 <a href="/joel/2-10.htm" title="Joel 2:10">►</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"><b>Verse</b><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"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joel/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They swarm over the city and run along its walls. They enter all the houses, climbing like thieves through the windows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joel/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joel/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They storm the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter through the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They rush on the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter through the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />They rush on the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter through the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They rush on the city; They run on the wall; They climb up into the houses; They enter through the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They rush over the city, They run on the wall; They climb up into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They storm the city; they run on the wall; they climb into the houses; they enter through the windows like thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They storm the city; they run on the wall; they climb into the houses; they enter through the windows like thieves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They swarm over city walls and enter our homes; they crawl in through windows, just like thieves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They leap upon the city; they run upon the wall; they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They rush into the city. They run along the wall. They climb into houses. They enter through windows like thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They rush against the city; they run over the walls; they climb up the houses and go in through the windows like thieves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They swarm through the city, running upon its ramparts. Climbing atop the houses, they enter through windows like a thief."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joel/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They rush into the city; they scale its walls. They climb up into the houses; they go in through the windows like a thief. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joel/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They rush on the city. They run on the wall. They climb up into the houses. They enter in at the windows like thieves. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In the city they run to and fro, "" On the wall they run, "" Into houses they go up by the windows, "" They go in as a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In the city they run to and fro, On the wall they run, Into houses they go up by the windows, They go in as a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In the city they shall run up and down; on the wall shall they run, into the houses they shall come up, through the windows shall they come in as a thief.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />They shall enter into the city: they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up the houses, they shall come in at the windows as a thief. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />They will advance into the city; they will rush through the wall. They will scale the houses; they will go in through the windows, like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joel/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They charge the city, they run upon the wall, they climb into the houses; Through the windows they enter like thieves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls; they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They shall go up against the cities; they shall run upon the walls, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter through the windows like thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They shall go up into the cities and they shall run upon the walls and they shall climb upon the houses; from the windows they shall enter like thieves<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They leap upon the city, They run upon the wall, They climb up into the houses; They enter in at the windows like a thief.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />They shall seize upon the city, and run upon the walls, and go up upon the houses, and enter in through the windows as thieves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joel/2-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEU9eLLsIkI?start=305" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">The Army of Locusts</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8264.htm" title="8264: yā·šōq·qū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To run, run about, rush. A primitive root; to course; by implication, to seek greedily.">They storm</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: bā·‘îr (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city;</a> <a href="/hebrew/7323.htm" title="7323: yə·ru·ṣūn (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To run. A primitive root; to run.">they run</a> <a href="/hebrew/2346.htm" title="2346: ba·ḥō·w·māh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">along the wall;</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ya·‘ă·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">they climb</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bab·bāt·tîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">into houses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yā·ḇō·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">entering</a> <a href="/hebrew/1157.htm" title="1157: bə·‘aḏ (Prep) -- From ad with prepositional prefix; in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc.">through</a> <a href="/hebrew/2474.htm" title="2474: ha·ḥal·lō·w·nîm (Art:: N-cp) -- A window. A window.">windows</a> <a href="/hebrew/1590.htm" title="1590: kag·gan·nāḇ (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- A thief. From ganab; a stealer.">like thieves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/9-7.htm">Revelation 9:7-9</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/2-4.htm">Nahum 2:4</a></span><br />The chariots dash through the streets; they rush around the plazas, appearing like torches, darting about like lightning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/13-16.htm">Isaiah 13:16</a></span><br />Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-21.htm">Jeremiah 9:21</a></span><br />For death has climbed in through our windows; it has entered our fortresses to cut off the children from the streets, the young men from the town squares.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Amos 5:19</a></span><br />It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Zephaniah 1:15-16</a></span><br />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 day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-43.htm">Matthew 24:43</a></span><br />But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-39.htm">Luke 12:39</a></span><br />But understand this: If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/10-1.htm">John 10:1</a></span><br />“Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/16-15.htm">Revelation 16:15</a></span><br />“Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/24-10.htm">Isaiah 24:10-12</a></span><br />The city of chaos is shattered; every house is closed to entry. / In the streets they cry out for wine. All joy turns to gloom; rejoicing is exiled from the land. / The city is left in ruins; its gate is reduced to rubble.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-7.htm">Jeremiah 4:7</a></span><br />A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins and lie uninhabited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/7-22.htm">Ezekiel 7:22</a></span><br />I will turn My face away from them, and they will defile My treasured place. Violent men will enter it, and they will defile it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-5.htm">Obadiah 1:5</a></span><br />“If thieves came to you, if robbers by night—oh, how you will be ruined—would they not steal only what they wanted? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave some gleanings?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/3-16.htm">Habakkuk 3:16</a></span><br />I heard and trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run on the wall, they shall climb up on the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.</p><p class="hdg">enter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-6.htm">Exodus 10:6</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/9-21.htm">Jeremiah 9:21</a></b></br> For death is come up into our windows, <i>and</i> is entered into our palaces, to cut off the children from without, <i>and</i> the young men from the streets.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/john/10-1.htm">John 10:1</a></b></br> Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/11-9.htm">City</a> <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Climb</a> <a href="/hosea/11-9.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/daniel/12-4.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/hosea/11-11.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/joel/2-5.htm">Leap</a> <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Run</a> <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Running</a> <a href="/daniel/11-40.htm">Rush</a> <a href="/joel/2-2.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/hosea/13-2.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/hosea/7-1.htm">Thief</a> <a href="/hosea/7-1.htm">Thieves</a> <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/joel/2-7.htm">Walls</a> <a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Windows</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/3-6.htm">City</a> <a href="/amos/9-2.htm">Climb</a> <a href="/joel/3-2.htm">Enter</a> <a href="/amos/8-12.htm">Fro</a> <a href="/joel/3-5.htm">Houses</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-9.htm">Leap</a> <a href="/amos/5-24.htm">Run</a> <a href="/amos/5-19.htm">Running</a> <a href="/nahum/2-4.htm">Rush</a> <a href="/amos/6-4.htm">Spread</a> <a href="/joel/3-12.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-4.htm">Thief</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-5.htm">Thieves</a> <a href="/amos/1-7.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/amos/1-7.htm">Walls</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-14.htm">Windows</a><div class="vheading2">Joel 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-1.htm">He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">He exhorts to repentance;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-15.htm">prescribes a fast;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-18.htm">promises a blessing thereon.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-21.htm">He comforts Zion with present,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">and future blessings.</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>They storm the city;</b><br>This phrase depicts a powerful and overwhelming invasion, often interpreted as a metaphor for divine judgment. In the context of Joel, it describes an army, possibly locusts or a foreign military force, symbolizing God's impending judgment on Israel for their sins. The imagery of a city being stormed is reminiscent of ancient warfare tactics, where cities were often besieged and overrun by enemy forces. This can be connected to the Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem, which was a historical fulfillment of such prophecies. The city represents human civilization and its defenses, which are ultimately powerless against divine intervention.<p><b>they run along the wall;</b><br>Walls in ancient times were crucial for a city's defense, symbolizing security and protection. The image of invaders running along the wall suggests a breach of security and the futility of human defenses against the judgment of God. This can be seen as a warning to the people of Israel to not rely on their own strength or fortifications but to turn to God for true protection. The swift movement along the wall indicates the relentless and unstoppable nature of the judgment coming upon them.<p><b>they climb into houses,</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the thoroughness and inescapability of the invasion. In ancient Near Eastern culture, houses were considered places of refuge and safety. The invaders climbing into houses signifies that no place is safe from the impending judgment. This can be seen as a call to personal repentance, as even the most private and secure areas of life are subject to God's scrutiny and judgment.<p><b>entering through windows like thieves.</b><br>The comparison to thieves highlights the unexpected and unwelcome nature of the invasion. Thieves enter stealthily and with intent to take what is not theirs, which parallels the suddenness and destructiveness of the judgment described. This imagery is used elsewhere in Scripture, such as in <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:2</a>, where the Day of the Lord is said to come "like a thief in the night." It serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and readiness for the Lord's return, urging believers to live in a state of spiritual preparedness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_locust_army.htm">The Locust Army</a></b><br>In <a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Joel 2</a>, the prophet describes an invading army, often interpreted as a swarm of locusts or a metaphor for a human army. This army is characterized by its relentless and overwhelming nature.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_city.htm">The City</a></b><br>Represents the place under siege, symbolizing the people of God or a nation facing judgment due to their disobedience.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wall.htm">The Wall</a></b><br>A defensive structure meant to protect the city, symbolizing the barriers or defenses people rely on for security.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/houses.htm">Houses</a></b><br>Personal dwellings invaded by the army, representing the invasion of personal lives and the breakdown of individual security.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/thieves.htm">Thieves</a></b><br>The imagery of thieves entering through windows suggests unexpected and unwelcome intrusion, highlighting the suddenness and inevitability of the coming judgment.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_certainty_of_divine_judgment.htm">The Certainty of Divine Judgment</a></b><br>God's judgment is inevitable and thorough, as depicted by the relentless invasion of the city. Believers are called to live in readiness and repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_vulnerability_of_human_defenses.htm">The Vulnerability of Human Defenses</a></b><br>Earthly defenses, symbolized by walls and houses, are insufficient against divine judgment. True security is found in God alone.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_repentance.htm">The Call to Repentance</a></b><br>The imagery of invasion serves as a wake-up call for repentance. Believers are encouraged to examine their lives and turn back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_urgency_of_spiritual_preparedness.htm">The Urgency of Spiritual Preparedness</a></b><br>Just as the city is unprepared for the sudden invasion, believers must be spiritually vigilant and prepared for Christ's return.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_hope_of_restoration.htm">The Hope of Restoration</a></b><br>Despite the dire imagery, Joel's prophecy ultimately points to God's desire for restoration and blessing upon repentance.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joel 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_sustains_my_heart_when_i'm_weak.htm">What is the biblical account of Canaan's conquest?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_dogs_literally_eat_jezebel's_body.htm">Could dogs literally devour Jezebel's body as described in 2 Kings 9:33-35, or might this be symbolic hyperbole?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_israel_retreat_after_the_sacrifice.htm">Why would a single human sacrifice on a city wall abruptly force Israel's retreat (2 Kings 3:26-27)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_joshua_2_15_fit_history.htm">If Jericho's walls had already crumbled before Joshua's era, how does Joshua 2:15 align with historical timelines?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They shall run to and fro in the city</span> (or rush to the assault of the city. Wunsche, and so LXX., "They shall seize upon the city"); <span class="cmt_word">they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief</span>. In the first clause the comparison with an army still continues. The attack has succeeded, the city has been taken by assault, the victorious troops are running to and fro in the city; so far the locusts are fitly represented by an army vigorous in its advance, steady in its march, resistless in its assault, victorious in its attack, and masters of the captured city. The remainder of the ninth verse is not equally applicable to the figure and the fact in common, but belongs exclusively to the locusts themselves; they creep up the wall, climb up upon the houses, and find ingress even at the windows. "There is no road," says Jerome, "impassable to locusts. They penetrate into fields, and crops, and trees, and cities, and even the recesses of the bedchambers;" while Theodoret remarks of locusts that" not only when flying, but by creeping along the walls, they pass through the windows into the houses themselves." Thus there was no spot to which they could not find access, and no place secure from their assault. <span class="accented">Yashoqqu.</span> Aben Ezra and Kimchi both connect this word with <span class="accented">shoq</span>, a leg. The latter says, "It has the signification of <span class="accented">shoq</span>, a leg, and he mentions this word in respect to the locust, because its legs are long; and further, because it is continually going and seldom resting; and thus he (Isaiah) says, 'As the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them,' as if he said, 'a continual going up and down.'" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joel/2-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They storm</span><br /><span class="heb">יָשֹׁ֗קּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·šōq·qū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8264.htm">Strong's 8264: </a> </span><span class="str2">To course, to seek greedily</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city;</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעִ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they run</span><br /><span class="heb">יְרֻצ֔וּן</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ru·ṣūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7323.htm">Strong's 7323: </a> </span><span class="str2">To run</span><br /><br /><span class="word">along the wall;</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּֽחוֹמָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(ba·ḥō·w·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wall of protection</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they climb</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲל֑וּ</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">into houses,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבָּתִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(bab·bāt·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">entering</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבֹ֖אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">through</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּעַ֧ד</span> <span class="translit">(bə·‘aḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1157.htm">Strong's 1157: </a> </span><span class="str2">In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for</span><br /><br /><span class="word">windows</span><br /><span class="heb">הַחַלּוֹנִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥal·lō·w·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2474.htm">Strong's 2474: </a> </span><span class="str2">A window</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like thieves.</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּגַּנָּֽב׃</span> <span class="translit">(kag·gan·nāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1590.htm">Strong's 1590: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stealer</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joel/2-9.htm">Joel 2:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joel/2-9.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 2:9 They rush on the city (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/2-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 2:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 2:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/2-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 2:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 2:10" /></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>