Joel 2:11 kjv
And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?
Joel 2:11 nkjv
The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?
Joel 2:11 niv
The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
Joel 2:11 esv
The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it?
Joel 2:11 nlt
The LORD is at the head of the column.
He leads them with a shout.
This is his mighty army,
and they follow his orders.
The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing.
Who can possibly survive?
Joel 2 11 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
Isa 2:12 | For the Lord of hosts will have a day against all who are proud… | The Day of the Lord judges human pride. |
Isa 13:9 | Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning wrath… | Describes the Lord's fierce judgment. |
Jer 46:10 | For that day is a day of the Lord God of hosts, A day of vengeance… | Emphasizes vengeance and judgment. |
Eze 30:3 | For the day is near, Even the day of the Lord is near; It will be a day… | Reiterates the immediacy of God's judgment. |
Amo 5:18 | Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day… | Warns against seeking judgment unwisely. |
Zep 1:14-15 | Near is the great day of the Lord, Near and coming very quickly; The day… | The rapid approach and severity of the day. |
Mal 3:2 | But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? | Directly echoes Joel's "who can endure it?" |
Mal 4:1 | For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; And all the arrogant… | Judgment as consuming fire. |
Psa 29:3-9 | The voice of the Lord is upon the waters… The voice of the Lord is powerful… | Illustrates the Lord's powerful voice. |
Psa 68:33 | To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times; Behold, He utters His voice, a mighty voice. | God's powerful, authoritative voice. |
Psa 103:20-21 | Bless the Lord, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word, obeying the voice of His word! | Angels as powerful executors of His word. |
Heb 12:26 | And His voice then shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying… | God's voice carries earth-shaking power. |
Jos 5:14 | He said, "No; rather I am the commander of the army of the Lord… | Mentions God's heavenly army. |
2 Ki 6:17 | …and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around… | Invisible angelic army defending God's servant. |
Rev 19:14 | And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean… | Heavenly armies accompanying Christ. |
Mt 13:41 | The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all… | Angels as agents of divine judgment. |
Psa 76:7 | You, even You, are to be feared; And who may stand in Your presence when… | Rhetorical question on enduring God's wrath. |
Nah 1:6 | Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness… | Questions human ability to endure divine wrath. |
Rev 6:17 | For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand? | Final, climactic Day of the Lord and human inability to stand. |
1 Th 5:2-3 | For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come… | Suddenness and inevitability of the Day of the Lord. |
2 Pet 3:10 | But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass… | Suddenness and cataclysmic nature of the day. |
Exo 12:41 | ...all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. | The concept of "hosts" (armies/camp) associated with God. |
Isa 40:26 | Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who… | God's absolute command over His heavenly hosts. |
Rom 9:28 | For the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly… | God's swift execution of His decree. |
Joel 2 verses
Joel 2 11 Meaning
Joel 2:11 powerfully describes the overwhelming might and terrifying nature of the "Day of the Lord," characterized by divine judgment. It portrays the Lord Himself leading an immense and invincible army, whose commander is strong and flawlessly executes His divine decrees. The rhetorical question at the end underscores that no one can withstand the unparalleled power unleashed on this appointed day, urging repentance and reliance on God's mercy.
Joel 2 11 Context
Joel chapter 2 is a vivid prophecy of judgment and future restoration. Verses 1-11 describe a terrifying invasion, initially paralleled to a devastating locust plague that ravaged Judah. This plague serves as a dire warning and a metaphorical preview of the "Day of the Lord"—a future eschatological event far grander and more terrifying. The imagery of the locusts as an immense, disciplined army executing God's judgment shifts to the Lord Himself leading His heavenly or angelic forces. This verse transitions the reader from the literal devastation of the locusts to the impending divine intervention on a cosmic scale. Historically, Judah, like many ancient Near Eastern cultures, relied on agricultural fertility. The devastating locust plague challenged human reliance on nature and local deities (like Baal, thought to control rain and crops), powerfully asserting the absolute sovereignty and power of Yahweh as the one true God who controls all creation and decrees judgment.
Joel 2 11 Word analysis
- The Lord utters His voice (יְהוָה נָתַן קוֹלוֹ - YHWH natan qolow):
- YHWH: The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal involvement and sovereign authority.
- Natan (נָתַן): Means "to give," "to place," but in this context, "to utter" or "to send forth." It signifies an active, deliberate emanation of His power and authority.
- Qol (קוֹלוֹ): "His voice." More than just sound, it implies command, declaration, and powerful manifestation. God's voice in Scripture is often associated with creative power, judgment, and revelation (e.g., Psa 29). This is the voice that sets His army in motion.
- before His army (לִפְנֵי חֵילוֹ - lifney cheylow):
- Lifney (לִפְנֵי): "Before," indicating presence, leadership, and perhaps preparation.
- Cheyl (חֵילוֹ): "His army," "his host," or "his forces." In chapter 1 and early 2, this refers to the locusts, but here it transitions to God's ultimate eschatological forces—divine, irresistible agents of His will (possibly angels, or even instruments like nations). The transition from natural phenomenon to supernatural army highlights God's command over all things.
- For His camp is indeed very great (כִּי רַב מְאֹד מַחֲנֵהוּ - ki rav me'od machanehu):
- Ki (כִּי): "For," introducing the reason or elaboration.
- Rav (רַב): "Great," "numerous," "much."
- Me'od (מְאֹד): "Indeed," "very," "exceedingly." This adverb intensifies the greatness, underscoring the vastness and overwhelming nature of God's forces.
- Machaneh (מַחֲנֵהוּ): "His camp." A military term signifying an assembled multitude or encampment, denoting organized, powerful forces. It emphasizes preparedness and overwhelming numerical superiority.
- For mighty is he who executes His word (כִּי עָצוּם עֹשֵׂה דְבָרוֹ - ki atsum oseih debarow):
- Atsum (עָצוּם): "Mighty," "strong," "powerful." Denotes immense inherent strength and capability.
- Oseh (עֹשֵׂה): "Doer," "maker," "executor." This participle points to the active agent carrying out the divine command. It signifies precise and effective execution without failure.
- Devar (דְּבָרוֹ): "His word," "His command," "His decree." God's "word" in Hebrew thought is not merely speech but active, creative, and powerful decree (Gen 1:3; Psa 33:9).
- Phrase "mighty is he who executes His word": This phrase implies the utter effectiveness and invincibility of God's command. Whether referring to a specific angelic commander, the entire army collectively, or even the power inherent in God's word itself, it underlines that nothing can hinder God's plans.
- For the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible (כִּי גָּדוֹל יוֹם יְהוָה וְנוֹרָא מְאֹד - ki gadol yom YHWH venora me'od):
- Gadol (גָּדוֹל): "Great," emphasizing its vastness, importance, and comprehensive scope.
- Yom YHWH (יוֹם יְהוָה): "The Day of the Lord." A prophetic term referring to specific times when God decisively intervenes in history to judge sin and establish His kingdom. It encompasses both near historical judgments and the ultimate eschatological judgment.
- Nora (וְנוֹרָא): "Terrible," "dreadful," "awe-inspiring." It evokes fear, reverence, and astonishment at God's overwhelming power. This day inspires both terror for the wicked and awe for the righteous.
- Me'od (מְאֹד): Again, "very," "exceedingly," intensifying the terrible nature.
- And who can endure it? (וּמִי יְכִילֶנּוּ - u-mi yechilennu):
- U-mi (וּמִי): "And who?" A rhetorical question that expects a negative answer: no one.
- Yechilennu (יְכִילֶנּוּ): From the root
yakol
(יָכֹל), meaning "to be able," "to contain," "to bear," "to endure," "to stand against." It implies ability to withstand or survive. - Rhetorical Question: This forcefully concludes the description of the Day of the Lord, highlighting its utterly overwhelming and unavoidable nature. It leaves humanity completely powerless before God's ultimate intervention, urging a response of repentance and seeking mercy, as outlined in the verses immediately following.
Joel 2 11 Bonus section
The locust plague, described as the Lord's army, serves as a significant prophetic type in Joel. It prefigures the ultimate "Day of the Lord" not just in its destructive power but also in its characteristics: irresistible progression, thoroughness, and leaving nothing untouched. This verse therefore links a historical event with its deeper eschatological meaning, providing a microcosm of divine judgment that points to the macrocosm of the end times. The terror of the Day of the Lord is rooted not in chaos, but in God's righteous and precise justice being fully brought to bear upon a rebellious world. The fact that the Lord utters "His voice" also signifies a direct, personal involvement and initiative, removing any doubt about the divine origin and purpose of this great and terrible day.
Joel 2 11 Commentary
Joel 2:11 stands as a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty over creation and history. It shifts from a present agricultural crisis (locusts) to a future, far more devastating, divinely orchestrated "Day of the Lord." The Lord is depicted as the supreme Commander, His voice initiating irresistible movements. The army is immense, signifying absolute power and an unstoppable force, whether literal celestial beings or the various means by which God accomplishes His will. The strength of the "doer of His word" ensures that every divine decree is executed with absolute precision and might. The recurring "for" clauses (ki) provide emphatic reasons for the dreadfulness of this day. Ultimately, the rhetorical question "who can endure it?" serves as a climactic warning, emphasizing that human strength or strategem is utterly futile against God's decisive intervention, leaving only the path of humility and repentance (vv. 12-17) as the viable response.