Joel 2:2 kjv

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

Joel 2:2 nkjv

A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations.

Joel 2:2 niv

a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come.

Joel 2:2 esv

a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations.

Joel 2:2 nlt

It is a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of thick clouds and deep blackness.
Suddenly, like dawn spreading across the mountains,
a great and mighty army appears.
Nothing like it has been seen before
or will ever be seen again.

Joel 2 verses

Joel 2 2 Meaning

Joel 2:2 paints a vivid and terrifying picture of the approaching "Day of the Lord," characterizing it as a time of unprecedented darkness, dense clouds, and overwhelming gloom. This is immediately followed by the terrifying image of a vast and powerful invading army, likened to the swift spread of dawn over the mountains, unique in its might and unmatched in history or future events. The verse simultaneously depicts a natural catastrophe (the locust plague, perhaps leading to darkness) and a divinely orchestrated judgment, implying an irresistible, all-encompassing force that heralds the Lord's coming in judgment.

Joel 2 2 Context

Joel 2:2 immediately follows the warning blast of the trumpet from Joel 2:1, signaling the imminence of the Day of the Lord. Chapter 1 depicted a literal, devastating locust plague, presenting it as a type or foretaste of the larger, impending divine judgment. Chapter 2 transitions from this natural disaster to a broader, eschatological event, with the locust imagery now blending seamlessly with the description of an irresistible, mighty army. This specific verse (Joel 2:2) is part of a crescendo of prophetic warning, establishing the severity and unprecedented nature of what is to come. Historically, the original audience might have faced an immediate severe locust infestation or foreseen the Assyrian/Babylonian invasions as instruments of God's judgment. Prophetically, it points to a future, ultimate "Day of the Lord," which encompasses cosmic events, great tribulation, and divine intervention.

Joel 2 2 Word analysis

• A day of darkness: (Hebrew: יוֹם חֹשֶׁךְ, yom choshek). "Day" (yom) here refers not necessarily to a 24-hour period but a significant period of time, marking a divinely appointed season or event. "Darkness" (choshek) denotes deep, overwhelming obscurity, both literal (from obscured sky) and metaphorical (judgment, distress, lack of hope). It stands in stark contrast to the usual divine manifestation as light, highlighting a terrifying aspect of God's judgment.
• and gloom: (Hebrew: וַאֲפֵלָה, va'afelah). "Gloom" is an intensifying parallel to darkness, implying an even deeper, almost suffocating obscuration, often associated with terror and divine wrath. This term appears in descriptions of Mount Sinai during God's terrifying presence (Deut 4:11), linking the Day of the Lord to God's awe-inspiring and fearsome power.
• a day of clouds: (Hebrew: יוֹם עָנָן, yom anan). "Clouds" (anan) here are not benign weather formations but dense, foreboding clouds, often indicative of God's a Theophanic presence that brings judgment, concealing and bringing about divine power and mystery.
• and thick darkness! (Hebrew: וַעֲרָפֶל, va'araphel). "Thick darkness" is the strongest term for darkness, often used for the impenetrable, fearsome cloud in which God dwelt on Mount Sinai (Exod 20:21). This suggests the overwhelming, terrifying, and consuming nature of the coming event, directly connected to God's manifest power.
• Like dawn spreading: (Hebrew: כְּשַׁחַר פָּרוּשׂ, k'shachar parus). "Dawn" (shachar) typically brings light and hope. Here, the imagery is inverted: a destructive force "spreads" (parus, meaning "stretched out," "spread abroad") across the mountains like the inexorable light of dawn. This conveys rapid, comprehensive, and unstoppable progression, an ominous dawn bringing devastation instead of illumination. It highlights the vastness and swiftness of the invading army.
• over the mountains: (Hebrew: עַל הֶהָרִים, al heharim). Mountains are prominent features, often symbolizing strength and stability. The imagery of a vast darkness or army spreading over them emphasizes the scale and speed with which this judgment envelops the entire landscape, overcoming all obstacles.
• a large and mighty army comes: (Hebrew: עַם־רָב וְעָצוּם, am-rav ve'atzum). "Army" here is am, which can mean "people" or "nation," emphasizing the vastness and corporate nature of this destructive force. "Large" (rav) denotes countless numbers, and "mighty" (atzum) signifies irresistible power. This army can represent literal locusts, an invading human army, or ultimately, a divine host serving God's judgment, showing God's total control.
• such as never was of old, nor ever will be in ages to come: (Hebrew: לֹא נִהְיָה כָּמֹהוּ מֵעוֹלָם וְאַחֲרָיו לֹא יוֹסֵף, lo nihyah kamohu me'olam ve'acharav lo yosef). This hyperbolic phrase emphasizes the unparalleled and unique nature of the impending calamity. It signifies that the intensity, scale, and devastation will exceed anything experienced previously or thereafter. It underscores the ultimate, definitive character of the "Day of the Lord."

• "A day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness!": This sequence builds intensity, using increasingly potent terms for darkness to convey an overwhelming, suffocating sense of doom and the terrifying, all-encompassing nature of divine judgment. The repetition of "day of" emphasizes a significant, defined period.
• "Like dawn spreading over the mountains, a large and mighty army comes": This juxtaposition is chilling. Dawn usually brings light and hope, but here it metaphorically describes the relentless, swift, and widespread advance of a destructive force. The speed and coverage are highlighted by "spreading over the mountains," signifying total permeation.
• "such as never was of old, nor ever will be in ages to come": This emphatic declaration elevates the event beyond typical human historical experience, emphasizing its ultimate, eschatological significance. It points to an event unique in scope and devastation, marking it as a sign of the ultimate Day of the Lord.

Joel 2 2 Bonus section

The imagery in Joel 2:2 is intensely symbolic and typological. The initial interpretation by Joel's audience might have been a devastating locust swarm or an invading foreign army (such as the Assyrians or Babylonians often referred to as instruments of God's wrath). However, the language employed quickly transcends a literal, singular event, escalating into cosmic and apocalyptic terms ("darkness," "clouds," "never was of old, nor ever will be"). This multi-layered fulfillment is characteristic of prophetic literature, where an immediate historical event (like a locust plague or an invasion) serves as a partial fulfillment or a prophetic 'type' of a much greater, eschatological event – the ultimate Day of the Lord. The unique power and overwhelming nature of this "army" emphasize God's absolute sovereignty, implying that He is the one who sends or allows such an unparalleled event to unfold, thereby demanding reverence and repentance.

Joel 2 2 Commentary

Joel 2:2 powerfully introduces the "Day of the Lord" not merely as a temporal event but as a pervasive, cosmic darkness reflecting divine judgment. The imagery transitions from a devastating locust plague, which literally obscures the sun, to a formidable, unprecedented army. This suggests that the initial locust devastation serves as a visible, tangible type, or foretaste, of a greater, future invasion or divine judgment. The use of increasingly dense terms for darkness ("darkness," "gloom," "clouds," "thick darkness") illustrates an unparalleled catastrophe that affects every part of creation, both literally dimming the heavens and figuratively shrouding hope. The simile of the army spreading "like dawn over the mountains" is striking; it ironically applies a beautiful natural phenomenon (dawn's inexorable spread) to describe the terrifying, unstoppable advance of a destructive force, highlighting its vastness and speed. The final declaration of its unparalleled nature underscores that this judgment transcends ordinary historical events, pointing to a unique and ultimate visitation from God. It serves as a stark warning of impending judgment that should compel deep repentance and urgent seeking of the Lord.