Joel 2:1 kjv

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;

Joel 2:1 nkjv

Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand:

Joel 2:1 niv

Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand?

Joel 2:1 esv

Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near,

Joel 2:1 nlt

Sound the trumpet in Jerusalem !
Raise the alarm on my holy mountain!
Let everyone tremble in fear
because the day of the LORD is upon us.

Joel 2 verses

Joel 2 1 Meaning

Joel 2:1 issues a dramatic and urgent divine summons, commanding a warning trumpet blast to resound from Zion, God's holy mountain, announcing the imminent arrival of "the day of the LORD." This terrifying prospect necessitates that all inhabitants of the land tremble in dread, acknowledging the inescapable nearness of God's decisive intervention, whether in judgment or redemptive action.

Joel 2 1 Context

Joel chapter 2:1 is a direct and forceful continuation of the themes established in chapter 1. Chapter 1 vividly describes a devastating locust plague and severe drought, presenting it as an unparalleled national catastrophe. This serves as a type or a foretaste of the impending "Day of the LORD," signaling God's severe judgment. The immediate call to repentance in chapter 1, through fasting and lamentation, flows directly into the urgent summons of chapter 2:1. The prophet's focus shifts from the immediate physical devastation to an impending spiritual and cosmic event—the ultimate intervention of the LORD. The trumpet blast from Zion warns the inhabitants not just of more plagues, but of God's impending decisive action on a grand scale, a day of both judgment and ultimate salvation. The historical context would be a period in Judah where spiritual complacency or apostasy might have led to such judgments, calling the people back to sincere covenant fidelity.

Joel 2 1 Word analysis

• Blow ye (תִּקְעוּ, tiq'u): An imperative verb, "blow" or "sound," specifically related to instruments. It carries a strong command, demanding immediate action, not a suggestion. It signifies an intentional and official announcement.
• the trumpet (שׁוֹפָר, shofar): A ram's horn, distinct from the hatzotzerah (metal trumpet). The shofar was used for various purposes: to assemble the people, signal war, announce new moons and feasts (Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah), and signify God's presence or intervention. Its use here immediately conveys a sense of divine authority and a critical, urgent announcement, possibly of judgment or a call to repentance/war.
• in Zion (בְצִיּוֹן, bəTzion): Refers to Jerusalem, specifically the mount where the Temple stood. This location is significant because it is God's holy city, His dwelling place on earth (Psa 9:11). The warning originates from the very seat of divine authority and covenant, emphasizing that this is a message from God Himself to His covenant people.
• and sound an alarm (וְהָרִיעוּ תְּרוּעָה, vəhari'u tərû'āh): The verb hari'u means "to raise a shout," often a battle cry or a sound to cause fear. Tərû'āh refers to a "shout" or "blast," an alert of great commotion, usually associated with an emergency, a war summons (Jer 4:19), or judgment. It’s a piercing, urgent blast distinct from a routine assembly call, indicating peril.
• in my holy mountain (בְּהַר קָדְשִׁי, bəhar qodshiy): Synonymous with Zion, this refers to Mount Moriah, where the Temple stood. Emphasizes God's ownership and holiness, intensifying the gravity of the message. The warning comes from a sacred space, signifying divine authority.
• let all the inhabitants (כָּל יֹשְׁבֵי, kol yosh'vey): Inclusive language, stressing that no one within the land is exempt from this impending event or the need for a response. It encompasses everyone, highlighting the universal nature of God's judgment within the land.
• of the land (הָאָרֶץ, hā'ārets): Referring to the land of Judah/Israel. While initially confined to Judah, the prophetic "Day of the LORD" often expands to universal implications.
• tremble (יִרְגְּזוּ, yir'gezu): To be agitated, to shudder with fear, to be disturbed. This is not just intellectual understanding, but a profound emotional and physical response, indicating great fear or terror in the face of what is coming. It is the appropriate reaction to a divine, fearful event.
• for the day of the LORD (כִּי יוֹם יְהוָה, kiy yôm Yahweh): A central prophetic concept across many Old Testament books. It's a specific, decisive period when God directly intervenes in history to judge His enemies (both foreign nations and disobedient Israel) and save His people. It can refer to historical judgments (like the locusts) but ultimately points to eschatological fulfillment.
• cometh (בָּא, ba): Simple verb "is coming," conveying an undeniable future event.
• for it is nigh at hand (כִּי קָרוֹב, kiy qarov): Emphasizes urgency and imminence. It's not a distant event but one that is very near, demanding immediate attention and response. The repetition reinforces the nearness.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain": This pair of parallel commands amplifies the urgency. The repetition using different, but related, terms (shofar, teruah) ensures the message's clarity and force. It establishes Zion as the origin of God's announcement to His people, emanating from His very presence. It implies a public, unambiguous declaration to stir the populace from spiritual complacency.
• "let all the inhabitants of the land tremble": This describes the commanded response to the alarm. It's a call for universal acknowledgment of the seriousness of God's coming. Trembling is an appropriate and expected fear in the face of divine power and imminent judgment. This is a call to profound internal realization, not just external observation.
• "for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand": This double affirmation provides the compelling reason for the trumpet blast and the required trembling. The "Day of the LORD" is the absolute certainty, and its proximity ('nigh at hand') makes an immediate response imperative. This serves as the foundational theological explanation for the entire chapter.

Joel 2 1 Bonus section

• Dual Fulfillment: The "Day of the LORD" has layers of fulfillment: immediate (the locust plague, foreign invasions as judgment), historical (God's judgment throughout history), and ultimate (eschatological, referring to Christ's first and second coming, and the final judgment). Joel 2:1 captures this layered prophetic significance, preparing the audience for immediate crisis and future events.
• Prophetic Role: Joel acts as a divinely appointed watchman (cf. Eze 33:1-9), using the shofar as a symbolic instrument to warn the people. His call mirrors the responsibilities of prophets and leaders throughout Scripture who were charged with alerting God's people to His purposes and warnings.
• Liturgical Significance: The trumpet's blast in a holy mountain resonates with ancient Israel's liturgical practices, particularly the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah) which often served as a call to repentance and preparation for the Day of Atonement. The verse imbues a communal, national urgency into a spiritual crisis.

Joel 2 1 Commentary

Joel 2:1 functions as an emphatic introduction to the central theme of Joel's prophecy: the terrifying imminence of the Day of the LORD. The dramatic sound of the shofar and the "alarm blast" (teruah) originating from Zion signify a divine summons of paramount importance. This is no ordinary announcement, but a sacred decree from God's own dwelling, designed to pierce the complacency and apathy of His people. The purpose of this aural warning is to incite universal fear and deep apprehension among "all the inhabitants of the land." This trembling is not just for panic, but for recognition of God's absolute sovereignty and the seriousness of impending judgment. The repeated declaration that "the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand" provides the crucial theological underpinning, indicating that God's decisive intervention, whether punitive or salvific, is upon them. The locust plague in Chapter 1 served as a microcosm; Chapter 2 begins the pronouncement of the ultimate divine reckoning. It’s a call to profound self-examination, repentance, and preparation, emphasizing that delay is not an option when God's appointed time is at hand.