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Let them say, &#8220Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, &#8216Where is their God?&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nlt/joel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Let the priests, who minister in the LORD’s presence, stand and weep between the entry room to the Temple and the altar. Let them pray, “Spare your people, LORD! Don’t let your special possession become an object of mockery. Don’t let them become a joke for unbelieving foreigners who say, ‘Has the God of Israel left them?’” <a href="/esv/joel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” <a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” <a href="/kjv/joel/2.htm">King James Bible</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? <a href="/nkjv/joel/2.htm">New King James Version</a> Let the priests, who minister to the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not give Your heritage to reproach, That the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” <a href="/nasb_/joel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Let the priests, the LORD’S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Spare Your people, LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a disgrace, With the nations jeering at them. Why should those among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’” <a href="/nasb/joel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> Let the priests, the LORD&#8217S ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, &#8220Spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, &#8216Where is their God?&#8217&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/joel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Let the priests, the LORD’s ministers, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Spare Thy people, O LORD, And do not make Thine inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’” <a href="/lsb/joel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Pity Your people, O Yahweh, And do not make Your inheritance a reproach, A byword among the nations. Why should they among the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’” <a href="/amp/joel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say, “Have compassion and spare Your people, O LORD, And do not make Your inheritance (Israel) an object of ridicule, Or a [humiliating] byword among the [Gentile] nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” <a href="/csb/joel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Let the priests, the LORD’s ministers, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, “Have pity on your people, LORD, and do not make your inheritance a disgrace, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘Where is their God? ’ ” <a href="/hcsb/joel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Let the priests, the LORD&#8217s ministers, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say:&#8221 Have pity on Your people, LORD, and do not make Your inheritance a disgrace, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, Where is their God?&#8217&#8221 <a href="/asv/joel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? <a href="/cev/joel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Tell my servants, the priests, to cry inside the temple and to offer this prayer near the altar: "Save your people, LORD God! Don't let foreign nations make jokes about us. Don't let them laugh and ask, 'Where is your God?'" <a href="/erv/joel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God? <a href="/gwt/joel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> The priests who serve the LORD cry between the altar and the entrance to the temple. They say, "Spare your people, O LORD. Don't let the people who belong to you become a disgrace. Don't let the nations ridicule them. Why should people ask, 'Where is their God?'" <a href="/gnt/joel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> The priests, serving the LORD between the altar and the entrance of the Temple, must weep and pray: "Have pity on your people, LORD. Do not let other nations despise us and mock us by saying, 'Where is your God?'" <a href="/isv/joel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> As they serve between the porch and the altar, let the priests and ministers of the LORD weep and pray: 'Spare your people, LORD, and do not make your heritage a disgrace so that nations ridicule them. Why should they say among the people, "Where is their God?"'" <a href="/msb/joel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Let the priests who minister before the LORD weep between the portico and the altar, saying, ?Spare Your people, O LORD, and do not make Your heritage a reproach, an object of scorn among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ?Where is their God??? <a href="/net/joel/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Let the priests, those who serve the LORD, weep from the vestibule all the way back to the altar. Let them say, "Have pity, O LORD, on your people; please do not turn over your inheritance to be mocked, to become a proverb among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, "Where is their God?" <a href="/nheb/joel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, "Spare your people, LORD, and do not give your heritage to mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" <a href="/wbt/joel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where is their God? <a href="/web/joel/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, “Spare your people, Yahweh, and don’t give your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Let the priests weep between the porch and the altar, servants of YHWH, "" And let them say: “Have pity, O YHWH, on Your people, "" And do not give Your inheritance to reproach, "" To the ruling over them of nations, "" Why do they say among peoples, Where [is] their God?” <a href="/ylt/joel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Between the porch and the altar weep let the priests, ministrants of Jehovah, And let them say: 'Have pity, O Jehovah, on Thy people, And give not Thy inheritance to reproach, To the ruling over them of nations, Why do they say among peoples, Where is their God?' <a href="/slt/joel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Between the porch and to the altar the priests serving Jehovah shall weep, and they shall say, Spare, O Jehovah, thy people, and thou wilt not give thine inheritance to reproach for the nations to rule over them: wherefore shall they say among the peoples, Where is their God?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Between the porch and the altar the priests the Lord's ministers shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God? <a href="/cpdv/joel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Between the vestibule and the altar, the priests, the ministers of the Lord, will weep, and they will say: “Spare, O Lord, spare your people. And do not bequeath your inheritance into disgrace, so that the nations would rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” <a href="/nabre/joel/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Between the porch and the altar let the priests weep, let the ministers of the LORD weep and say: “Spare your people, LORD! do not let your heritage become a disgrace, a byword among the nations! Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ ” <a href="/nrsvce/joel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep. Let them say, “Spare your people, O LORD, and do not make your heritage a mockery, a byword among the nations. Why should it be said among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the Gentiles should rule over them, lest the Gentiles say, Where is their God? <a href="/hpbt/joel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Between the porch and the altar the Priests the Ministers of LORD JEHOVAH shall weep and they shall say: ’have pity LORD JEHOVAH on your people and do not give your inheritance to disgrace and to the authority of the Gentiles, lest the Gentiles say, ’where is their God?’<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, Weep between the porch and the altar, And let them say: 'Spare thy people, O LORD, And give not Thy heritage to reproach, That the nations should make them a byword: Wherefore should they say among the peoples: Where is their God?' <a href="/sep/joel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> Between the porch and the altar let the priests that minister to the Lord weep, and say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them, lest they should say among the heathen, Where is their God? <a href="/parallel/joel/2-17.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=397" 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">Return with All Your Heart</a> …16Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. 17<a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">Let the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/8334.htm" title="8334: mə·šā·rə·ṯê (V-Piel-Prtcpl-mpc) -- To minister, serve. A primitive root; to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to.">who minister</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">before the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/1058.htm" title="1058: yiḇ·kū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To weep, bewail. A primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan.">weep</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên (Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">between</a> <a href="/hebrew/197.htm" title="197: hā·’ū·lām (Art:: N-ms) -- A porch. Or, ulam; from 'alam; a vestibule.">the portico</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: wə·lam·miz·bê·aḥ (Conj-w, Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">and the altar,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wə·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2347.htm" title="2347: ḥū·sāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To pity, look upon with compassion. A primitive root; properly, to cover, i.e. to compassionate.">“Spare</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/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·me·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">Your people,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">O LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/408.htm" title="408: wə·’al- (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Not (a subjective neg.). A negative particle; not; once as a noun, nothing.">and do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·tên (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">make</a> <a href="/hebrew/5159.htm" title="5159: na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- From nachal; properly, something inherited, i.e. occupancy, or an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion.">Your heritage</a> <a href="/hebrew/2781.htm" title="2781: lə·ḥer·pāh (Prep-l:: N-fs) -- A reproach. From charaph. contumely, disgrace, the pudenda.">a reproach,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4910.htm" title="4910: lim·šāl- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- To rule, have dominion, reign. A primitive root; to rule.">an object of scorn</a> <a href="/hebrew/bām (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1471.htm" title="1471: gō·w·yim (N-mp) -- Rarely goy; apparently from the same root as gevah; a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts.">among the nations.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: yō·mə·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">should they say</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ḇā·‘am·mîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">among the peoples,</a> <a href="/hebrew/346.htm" title="346: ’ay·yêh (Interrog) -- Where?. Prolonged from 'ay; where?.">‘Where</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">is their God?’”</a> <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="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a> But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. <a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a> and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. <a href="/ezekiel/36-20.htm">Ezekiel 36:20-23</a> And wherever they went among the nations, they profaned My holy name, because it was said of them, ‘These are the people of the LORD, yet they had to leave His land.’ / But I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations to which they had gone. / Therefore tell the house of Israel that this is what the Lord GOD says: It is not for your sake that I will act, O house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you profaned among the nations to which you went. ... <a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Isaiah 62:6-7</a> On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. <a href="/romans/11-26.htm">Romans 11:26-27</a> And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. / And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” <a href="/jeremiah/14-7.htm">Jeremiah 14:7-9</a> Although our iniquities testify against us, O LORD, act for the sake of Your name. Indeed, our rebellions are many; we have sinned against You. / O Hope of Israel, its Savior in times of distress, why are You like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who stays but a night? / Why are You like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? Yet You are among us, O LORD, and we are called by Your name. Do not forsake us! <a href="/psalms/79-9.htm">Psalm 79:9-10</a> Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us and atone for our sins, for the sake of Your name. / Why should the nations ask, “Where is their God?” Before our eyes, make known among the nations Your vengeance for the bloodshed of Your servants. <a href="/1_kings/8-41.htm">1 Kings 8:41-43</a> And as for the foreigner who is not of Your people Israel but has come from a distant land because of Your name— / for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name. <a href="/malachi/1-11.htm">Malachi 1:11</a> For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/isaiah/63-16.htm">Isaiah 63:16-19</a> Yet You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name. / Why, O LORD, do You make us stray from Your ways and harden our hearts from fearing You? Return, for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. / For a short while Your people possessed Your holy place, but our enemies have trampled Your sanctuary. ... <a href="/daniel/9-17.htm">Daniel 9:17-19</a> So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. / Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. / O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name.” <a href="/nehemiah/1-8.htm">Nehemiah 1:8-9</a> Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses when You said, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, / but if you return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name.’ <a href="/matthew/6-9.htm">Matthew 6:9-10</a> So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. / Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. <a href="/isaiah/37-20.htm">Isaiah 37:20</a> And now, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.” <a href="/psalms/115-1.htm">Psalm 115:1-2</a> Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to Your name be the glory, because of Your loving devotion, because of Your faithfulness. / Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O LORD, and give not your heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: why should they say among the people, Where is their God?the priests.<a href="/joel/1-9.htm">Joel 1:9,13</a> The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn… between.<a href="/1_kings/6-3.htm">1 Kings 6:3</a> And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.<a href="/2_chronicles/8-12.htm">2 Chronicles 8:12</a> Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,<a href="/ezekiel/8-16.htm">Ezekiel 8:16</a> And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.and let.<a href="/hosea/14-2.htm">Hosea 14:2</a> Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.Spare.<a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-13</a> And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? … <a href="/exodus/34-9.htm">Exodus 34:9</a> And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.<a href="/deuteronomy/9-16.htm">Deuteronomy 9:16-29</a> And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you… and give.<a href="/psalms/44-10.htm">Psalm 44:10-14</a> Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy: and they which hate us spoil for themselves… <a href="/psalms/74-10.htm">Psalm 74:10,18-23</a> O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever? … <a href="/psalms/79-4.htm">Psalm 79:4</a> We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.that.<a href="/nehemiah/9-36.htm">Nehemiah 9:36</a> Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:<a href="/isaiah/63-17.htm">Isaiah 63:17-19</a> O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance… rule over them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-10.htm">Byword</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-28.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/ezekiel/48-29.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/joel/1-9.htm">LORD'S</a> <a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Ministers</a> <a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-8.htm">Porch</a> <a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/hosea/12-14.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/hosea/11-5.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-14.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/joel/1-5.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/daniel/10-20.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/2-8.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-13.htm">Byword</a> <a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Heathen</a> <a href="/joel/3-2.htm">Heritage</a> <a href="/amos/7-4.htm">LORD'S</a> <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Ministers</a> <a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/micah/1-2.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/matthew/26-71.htm">Porch</a> <a href="/micah/3-11.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/joel/2-19.htm">Reproach</a> <a href="/amos/6-3.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/amos/7-8.htm">Spare</a> <a href="/micah/1-8.htm">Weep</a> <a href="/amos/5-18.htm">Wherefore</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>Let the priests who minister before the LORD The priests in ancient Israel held a significant role as mediators between God and the people. They were responsible for performing sacrifices and maintaining the sanctity of the temple. This phrase emphasizes the importance of spiritual leaders in interceding for the nation. The priests' role is reminiscent of the Levitical priesthood established in the Mosaic Law, highlighting their duty to lead the people in repentance and prayer.weep between the portico and the altar The portico and the altar were parts of the temple structure, with the portico being the entrance and the altar being the place of sacrifice. This location signifies a place of deep intercession and lamentation. The act of weeping indicates sincere repentance and sorrow for sin. This imagery is consistent with other biblical instances where leaders intercede for the people, such as Moses and Aaron in <a href="/numbers/16-46.htm">Numbers 16:46-48</a>.saying, “Spare Your people, O LORD This plea for mercy reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The call for God to spare His people is rooted in His promises and faithfulness. It echoes the intercessory prayers of figures like Abraham and Moses, who appealed to God's mercy on behalf of others. The request for sparing is a recognition of God's sovereignty and compassion.and do not make Your heritage a reproach Israel is often referred to as God's heritage, a people chosen and set apart for His purposes. The concern here is for the reputation of God's people and, by extension, God's own name. A reproach would imply failure and disgrace, which would reflect poorly on God's covenant promises. This plea is similar to Moses' intercession in <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a>, where he appeals to God's reputation among the nations.an object of scorn among the nations The fear of becoming a scorn among the nations highlights the importance of Israel's witness to the surrounding peoples. In the ancient Near East, the fortunes of a nation were often seen as a reflection of the power of their deity. Thus, Israel's downfall would lead other nations to question the power and faithfulness of Yahweh. This concern is echoed in <a href="/psalms/79-4.htm">Psalm 79:4</a>, where the psalmist laments the scorn of neighboring nations.Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” This rhetorical question underscores the potential damage to God's reputation if His people are not delivered. It reflects a concern for God's honor and the perception of His power and presence. The question "Where is their God?" implies doubt about God's ability to protect and provide for His people. This theme is also found in <a href="/psalms/42-3.htm">Psalm 42:3</a>, where the psalmist's adversaries question God's presence during times of distress.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a> Religious leaders in Israel responsible for performing sacrifices and interceding for the people. In this verse, they are called to weep and intercede for the nation. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is being petitioned by the priests to spare His people. 3. <a href="/topical/p/portico_and_altar.htm">Portico and Altar</a> The portico refers to the entrance of the temple, and the altar is where sacrifices were made. This location signifies a place of intercession and sacrifice. 4. <a href="/topical/i/inheritance.htm">Inheritance</a> Refers to the people of Israel, God's chosen people, who are at risk of becoming a disgrace among the nations. 5. <a href="/topical/n/nations.htm">Nations</a> The surrounding peoples who might mock Israel if God does not intervene, questioning the presence and power of Israel's God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intercession.htm">The Role of Intercession</a> Priests are called to stand in the gap for the people, highlighting the importance of intercessory prayer in the life of believers today. <a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_repentance.htm">The Significance of Repentance</a> The call to weep and plead for God's mercy underscores the necessity of genuine repentance in seeking God's favor. <a href="/topical/g/god's_reputation_among_the_nations.htm">God's Reputation Among the Nations</a> The concern for God's name and reputation should motivate believers to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His character. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_corporate_prayer.htm">The Power of Corporate Prayer</a> The collective cry of the priests demonstrates the power of united prayer in bringing about divine intervention. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_to_his_people.htm">God's Faithfulness to His People</a> Despite the threat of disgrace, the plea for God to spare His people is rooted in His covenant faithfulness.<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/is_2_kings_17_28_historically_credible.htm">2 Kings 17:28 - How historically credible is the claim that a single Israelite priest could effectively instruct the new inhabitants in proper worship?</a> <a href="/q/is_animal_sacrifice_valid_today.htm">2 Chronicles 29:20-24 - Does the concept of animal sacrifice resolving sin stand up to scientific or moral scrutiny in a modern context?</a> <a href="/q/why_is_'pleasing_aroma'_significant.htm">In Leviticus 1:9, why is a 'pleasing aroma' significant to an omnipotent, immaterial God?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_levite's_status_credible_in_judges_17.htm">In Judges 17:7-13, how credible is the Levite's priestly status, given the requirements found elsewhere in the Old Testament regarding priestly lineage?</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>(17) That the heathen should rule over them.--All mention of the locusts is dropped. The lesser calamity is swallowed up in the apprehension of the greater. <a href="/commentaries/joel/2-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Let the priests הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> Priest who minister מְשָׁרְתֵ֖י (mə·šā·rə·ṯê) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8334.htm">Strong's 8334: </a> To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to before the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel weep יִבְכּוּ֙ (yiḇ·kū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1058.htm">Strong's 1058: </a> To weep, to bemoan between בֵּ֤ין (bên) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> An interval, space between the porch הָאוּלָם֙ (hā·’ū·lām) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_197.htm">Strong's 197: </a> A vestibule and the altar, וְלַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ (wə·lam·miz·bê·aḥ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> An altar saying, וְֽיֹאמְר֞וּ (wə·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “Spare ח֧וּסָה (ḥū·sāh) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2347.htm">Strong's 2347: </a> To pity, look upon with compassion Your people, עַמֶּ֗ךָ (‘am·me·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock O LORD, יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and do not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_408.htm">Strong's 408: </a> Not make תִּתֵּ֨ן (tit·tên) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set Your heritage נַחֲלָתְךָ֤ (na·ḥă·lā·ṯə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5159.htm">Strong's 5159: </a> Something inherited, occupancy, an heirloom, an estate, patrimony, portion a reproach, לְחֶרְפָּה֙ (lə·ḥer·pāh) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2781.htm">Strong's 2781: </a> Contumely, disgrace, the pudenda an object of scorn לִמְשָׁל־ (lim·šāl-) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4910.htm">Strong's 4910: </a> To rule, have dominion, reign among the nations. גּוֹיִ֔ם (gō·w·yim) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1471.htm">Strong's 1471: </a> A foreign nation, a Gentile, a troop of animals, a flight of locusts Why לָ֚מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what should they say יֹאמְר֣וּ (yō·mə·rū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say among the peoples, בָֽעַמִּ֔ים (ḇā·‘am·mîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock ?Where אַיֵּ֖ה (’ay·yêh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_346.htm">Strong's 346: </a> Where? is their God??? אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·hem) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joel/2-17.htm">Joel 2:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joel/2-17.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 2:17 Let the priests the ministers of Yahweh (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/2-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 2:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 2:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/2-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 2:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 2:18" /></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>