Joel 2:15 kjv

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Joel 2:15 nkjv

Blow the trumpet in Zion, Consecrate a fast, Call a sacred assembly;

Joel 2:15 niv

Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly.

Joel 2:15 esv

Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly;

Joel 2:15 nlt

Blow the ram's horn in Jerusalem!
Announce a time of fasting;
call the people together
for a solemn meeting.

Joel 2 verses

Joel 2 15 Meaning

Joel 2:15 is an urgent divine command to the people of Judah, specifically calling for a universal, communal assembly centered on solemn repentance and prayer. It instructs the blowing of the shofar in Zion to signal alarm and gathering, followed by the sanctification of a collective fast and the convocation of a sacred public assembly. This tripartite call emphasizes the immediate need for the entire community, from young to old, to humble themselves before the Divine Presence in light of impending judgment or crisis.

Joel 2 15 Context

Joel chapter 2 dramatically intensifies the prophecy begun in chapter 1. Chapter 1 primarily describes a devastating locust plague, paralleled with or escalating into a destructive military invasion, representing the impending "Day of the Lord." This "Day" is portrayed as a time of darkness, gloom, and a great, powerful army, ultimately signaling divine judgment. In this context, Joel 2:12-14 issue a profound and urgent call for national repentance, emphasizing the rending of hearts over garments, hoping that God might relent and leave a blessing. Verse 15 builds directly upon this, specifying the how of that collective repentance. It transitions from the general call for remorse to a concrete plan for a public, unified response. The "Day of the Lord" serves as the backdrop—a looming theological reality that necessitates an immediate and thorough communal turning to God, using specific prescribed actions of gathering, fasting, and solemn assembly. The prophet urges Judah not to treat this as an ordinary event but as an extraordinary moment demanding total devotion and participation from all segments of society, indicating the extreme nature of the perceived threat and the spiritual need.

Joel 2 15 Word analysis

• Blow (תִּקְעוּ, tiqe'u): This is a Qal imperative, meaning a direct command. The verb "blow" (תָּקַע, taqa') indicates a strong, forceful, piercing sound, unlike a gentle breeze. It implies not just playing an instrument, but proclaiming or launching a significant event through sound. In a military context, it's for sounding an alarm or charge. In a civic/religious context, it's for summoning an assembly or signaling a new month or holy day. Here, it’s a non-negotiable directive to alert and gather.
• the trumpet (שׁוֹפָר, shofar): A ram's horn, distinct from the chatzotzrah (silver trumpet). The shofar produces a primal, unpolished, often mournful or startling sound. It was used in ancient Israel for solemn occasions: calling for war (Jdg 7:16, 18), coronations (1 Kgs 1:34, 39), signaling the new moon, Yom Kippur, and in this context, warning of impending danger and gathering for repentance or judgment. Its raw sound bypasses sophisticated thought to awaken a visceral spiritual response, signifying urgency and divine presence.
• in Zion (בְּצִיּוֹן, bᵉTsiyyon): Zion refers to Jerusalem, specifically the temple mount. This is not just any location, but the spiritual heart of the nation, the dwelling place of God’s presence, where the temple rites were performed. Blowing the trumpet in Zion signifies that this call originates from the holy center and is directed towards the covenant community gathered around the Divine Presence. It is a holy warning for a holy people in a holy place, emphasizing the sacred and national scope of the repentance.
• consecrate (קַדְּשׁוּ, qaddeshū): A Hiphil imperative, meaning "to cause to be holy" or "to set apart as holy." This goes beyond simply observing a fast; it's about dedicating it as sacred to the Lord, elevating it from a personal discipline to a hallowed communal act. It means to cleanse oneself and one's actions for this specific holy purpose, indicating that the fast is not for outward show but for a profound encounter with God.
• a fast (צוֹם, tsom): A deliberate abstention from food and drink, traditionally practiced in ancient Israel as a sign of mourning, lamentation, repentance, or intense supplication for divine intervention. It humbles the soul (Ps 35:13), focuses the spirit, and expresses earnestness and dependence on God in times of crisis.
• call (קִרְאוּ, qir'ū): A Qal imperative meaning "to summon," "to proclaim," or "to call out." Like "blow," it is a direct and forceful command, emphasizing the authoritative nature of the prophet's declaration to convene.
• a solemn assembly (עֲצָרָה, 'atsarah): Derived from a root meaning "to stop" or "to restrain." An 'atsarah is a designated holy convocation, a special public gathering where all ordinary activity ceases. It’s typically associated with significant religious feasts (like the end of Sukkot or Passover) and emphasizes a complete halt from daily routine to focus entirely on worship, instruction, or spiritual renewal. In this context, it implies a mandated cessation of normal life for concentrated, unified repentance.

Words-group analysis

• "Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly.": This sequence outlines distinct yet interconnected steps in a divine imperative for corporate action. The "trumpet in Zion" signals urgency and solemnity from the holy center. The "consecrate a fast" emphasizes the inner purity and holy intent required for the period of abstinence. The "call a solemn assembly" mandates a full, communal halt of regular life, indicating that this spiritual crisis requires a universal, dedicated, and communal response, setting apart a specific time for spiritual focus and turning to God. This tripartite structure builds from an initial alarm to a structured, hallowed collective act of humility and petition.

Joel 2 15 Bonus section

The commands in Joel 2:15 are presented as three successive, amplifying instructions, emphasizing the escalation of the crisis and the depth of response required. The initial shofar blast is an immediate alert. The subsequent "consecrate a fast" defines the quality of the inward response needed, highlighting intentional holiness. Finally, "call a solemn assembly" dictates the scope of the response – involving everyone and interrupting all aspects of daily life. This is not merely an option but a divine decree, illustrating God's desire for His people to earnestly return to Him with unified humility when facing His righteous judgment. The Old Testament tradition frequently linked fasting and solemn assembly with the hope of averting disaster or securing divine favor, understanding these as acts of corporate lament and submission, trusting in God's capacity for mercy even in judgment. This also reflects the corporate identity of Israel – the actions (or inactions) of the whole could impact divine favor for the whole.

Joel 2 15 Commentary

Joel 2:15 serves as a pivotal call to action within the prophet's message of impending judgment and potential divine reprieve. It underscores the urgency and severity of the moment, demanding a unified spiritual response from the entire nation. The shofar blast in Zion is a non-ignorable alarm from the very seat of divine presence, compelling immediate attention. The "consecration of a fast" means setting apart this time of self-denial as truly holy, reflecting an inward sincerity of repentance rather than mere outward ritual. This echoes later prophetic critiques of superficial piety. Finally, "calling a solemn assembly" means stopping all normal activities for a communal gathering entirely dedicated to spiritual seeking. It implies a corporate confession and a unified cry for mercy, acknowledging that individual piety must manifest in collective humility before God, for the fate of the nation rests on their unified turning. The entire verse insists that superficial actions are insufficient; it demands a heartfelt, communal, and holy engagement with God in response to His warnings. This communal act embodies national acknowledgment of sin and desperate dependence on divine compassion, forming a cornerstone for how Israel was to react in moments of dire judgment or spiritual crisis.