Joel 2:17 kjv
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?
Joel 2:17 nkjv
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?' "
Joel 2:17 niv
Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, weep between the portico and the altar. Let them say, "Spare your people, LORD. Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'?"
Joel 2:17 esv
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?'"
Joel 2:17 nlt
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?'"
Joel 2 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 32:11 | But Moses implored the Lord... "Why should your wrath burn against your people...?" | Moses' intercession for Israel |
| Num 14:15 | "Now if you kill this people... then the nations... will say..." | Concern for God's reputation among nations |
| Deut 4:20 | "...Lord has taken you... out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be a people of His inheritance." | Israel as God's chosen inheritance |
| Deut 9:28 | "...Lest the land from which you brought us out say, ‘Because the Lord was not able...’" | God's name must not be profaned |
| 1 Ki 8:22 | Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord... and spread out his hands toward heaven. | Priestly posture of prayer before the altar |
| 1 Ki 8:51 | "For they are your people, and your inheritance, whom you brought out of Egypt..." | Israel as God's heritage, redeemed from bondage |
| 2 Chr 6:12 | He stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel... | Leader's position of intercession |
| Neh 9:1 | ...sons of Israel assembled with fasting and in sackcloth with dirt on them. | Public national repentance and mourning |
| Ps 44:13 | You make us a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. | Experience of national shame/reproach |
| Ps 74:2 | Remember your congregation, which you purchased of old, the tribe of your inheritance... | Plea to remember covenant and inheritance |
| Ps 79:1 | O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance... | Lament over nations desecrating God's heritage |
| Ps 79:10 | Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" | Direct echo of the taunt |
| Ps 115:2 | Why should the nations say, "Where now is their God?" | Reinforcement of the same plea |
| Isa 52:5 | "...those who rule over them mock," declares the Lord, "And My name is continually reviled all day long." | God's name dishonored by gentile oppression |
| Isa 63:17 | Why, O Lord, do you make us wander from your ways...? Return for your servants' sake... | Plea for God's restoration due to His name |
| Isa 63:18 | Your holy people possessed your inheritance but a little while... | Acknowledging God's people as His heritage |
| Jer 24:9 | I will make them a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth, a reproach, a byword, a taunt... | Prophecy of shame and reproach for disobedience |
| Eze 36:20 | When they came to the nations... My holy name was profaned... | God's name dishonored by Israel's dispersion |
| Joel 2:13 | Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God... | Broader call to sincere repentance |
| Zec 1:14 | ...Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'I am zealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with great zeal.'" | God's passionate defense of His people |
| Acts 2:20 | The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great and glorious Day of the Lord. | New Testament fulfillment of Joel's prophecy |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession... | New Testament understanding of God's "heritage" |
Joel 2 verses
Joel 2 17 Meaning
Joel 2:17 is a fervent, desperate plea to God, delivered through the priests during a national calamity, likely a severe locust plague and the impending Day of the Lord. The verse implores God to have mercy on His chosen people, Israel, His cherished inheritance, and not allow them to suffer utter disgrace and rule by foreign nations. The underlying concern is for the honor and reputation of God Himself, that the nations might not mockingly question His power or presence among His people.
Joel 2 17 Context
Joel chapter 2 is a dire warning of the impending Day of the Lord, likened to a devastating locust plague that has already afflicted the land. Following the description of the natural calamity and the vivid imagery of judgment, God, through Joel, issues an urgent call for national repentance. Verses 12-14 detail this call: to return to God with sincere heart-rending, fasting, weeping, and mourning. Joel 2:17 specifically focuses on the role of the priests, as central mediators between God and the people, in leading this national lament and intercession. They are to publicize and embody this desperate repentance, making a direct plea for God's mercy to avert further judgment, particularly the shame of being conquered and mocked by foreign nations. This verse precedes God's immediate and dramatic promise of restoration and blessing in Joel 2:18-32, highlighting the efficacy of such heartfelt repentance. Historically, the period of Joel's prophecy is uncertain but speaks to a Judah facing either an imminent or actual severe crisis.
Joel 2 17 Word analysis
- Let the priests: Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים (kohanim). These were the Levitical priests, designated by God for sacred service, to mediate between God and Israel, offer sacrifices, and teach God's law. Here, they are called to step outside their routine ritual duties into a position of desperate intercession. Their leadership in this act of humility is crucial.
- the ministers of the Lord: Hebrew: מְשָׁרְתֵי יְהוָה (m'shar'tei Yahweh). This emphasizes their dedicated service and proximity to God in the temple. It underscores their unique position and responsibility to stand before God on behalf of the people, not merely performing rites, but actively engaging in fervent prayer and leading by example in a time of crisis.
- weep: Hebrew: בְּכוּ (b'chu). This word signifies a deep, intense, audible lament, far beyond a quiet tear. It's a public and expressive demonstration of sorrow, contrition, and desperation, reflecting the dire spiritual state and the national emergency.
- between the porch: Hebrew: אוּלָם (ulam). Refers to the vestibule or outer hall of the Temple, leading to the sanctuary. It's the point of transition, a sacred public space where worshippers gathered before approaching the Holy Place.
- and the altar: Hebrew: מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach). Specifically the bronze altar of burnt offering, situated in the outer court, central to sacrificial atonement. Standing between the porch and the altar places them in a highly symbolic, liminal space: between the people and God's immediate presence, between judgment and mercy, and between sin and atonement. It signifies a public, visible, and deeply symbolic act of intercession from the very heart of the sanctuary area, making their plea on behalf of the nation. This position indicates the urgency and profound spiritual nature of the crisis.
- and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord: Hebrew: חוּסָה עַל עַמְּךָ יְהוָה (chusah al am'mecha Yahweh). "Spare" (chusah) is a strong plea for pity and compassion, implying a turning away of divine judgment. "Thy people" appeals to God's covenant relationship and His specific ownership of Israel.
- and give not thine heritage to reproach: Hebrew: וְאַל תִּתֵּן נַחֲלָתְךָ לְחֶרְפָּה (v'al titten nachalat'kha l'cherpah). "Heritage" (nachalat'kha) signifies God's special possession, His chosen people, whom He redeemed and owns by covenant. "Reproach" (cherpah) means shame, disgrace, scorn, or public humiliation. The concern here is that the defeat and suffering of Israel would be a direct stain on God's own honor and integrity among the nations.
- that the heathen should rule over them: Hebrew: לִמְשֹׁל בָּם גּוֹיִם (limshol bam goyim). "Heathen" (goyim) refers to foreign nations, often depicted as hostile to God and Israel. "Rule over them" means to have dominion, signifying subjugation and conquest. This is a prayer against the worst national humiliation and divine judgment, specifically against being conquered and dominated by pagan powers.
- wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?: Hebrew: לָמָּה יֹאמְרוּ בָעַמִּים אַיֵּה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם (lamah yom'ru ba'ammim ayyeh Elohehem). This is the climactic argument, an appeal to God's glory and reputation. The ultimate taunt from unbelieving nations questioned God's power, existence, or faithfulness. It highlights that the nation's suffering impacts God's name and witness in the world.
Joel 2 17 Bonus section
The positioning of the priests "between the porch and the altar" is highly significant. This area, known as the Ulam (porch/vestibule) and the Mizbeach (altar), represented the most publicly visible and ritually vital space of the Temple. Weeping and interceding from this spot was a deliberate, visual act of humility, penitence, and desperate mediation. It was a cry heard and seen by all present, making it a profound corporate demonstration of brokenness and dependence on God's mercy. This prayer recognizes God's fierce jealousy for His holy name and His relationship with His people (as directly stated in Joel 2:18), serving as the foundation for their appeal.
Joel 2 17 Commentary
Joel 2:17 provides a profound glimpse into the theological implications of national suffering for ancient Israel. It shifts the focus from merely human hardship to the honor of God's name among the nations. The command for the priests to weep intensely in the very sacred, liminal space between the Temple porch and the altar emphasizes the desperate nature of the crisis, signifying a last resort beyond ritualistic actions. It's an appeal for divine mercy based not on Israel's merit, but on God's covenant character and reputation. The core petition is for God to spare His "heritage"—Israel, His chosen possession—from reproach and foreign domination. The deep concern articulated is that the defeat of His people would lead the "heathen" nations to mock Yahweh, questioning His power and presence: "Where is their God?" This reveals that the priests' plea is ultimately for the vindication of God's sovereignty and glory in the eyes of the world, knowing that God's name being blasphemed is an affront He cannot ignore. It's a reminder that God's people's state has direct implications for His global witness.