Joel 2:20 kjv

But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Joel 2:20 nkjv

"But I will remove far from you the northern army, And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land, With his face toward the eastern sea And his back toward the western sea; His stench will come up, And his foul odor will rise, Because he has done monstrous things."

Joel 2:20 niv

"I will drive the northern horde far from you, pushing it into a parched and barren land; its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea and its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea. And its stench will go up; its smell will rise." Surely he has done great things!

Joel 2:20 esv

"I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things.

Joel 2:20 nlt

I will drive away these armies from the north.
I will send them into the parched wastelands.
Those in the front will be driven into the Dead Sea,
and those at the rear into the Mediterranean.
The stench of their rotting bodies will rise over the land."
Surely the LORD has done great things!

Joel 2 verses

Joel 2 20 Meaning

Joel 2:20 proclaims God's decisive act of removing the "northern army" far away from His people. This promise follows Judah's repentance, signaling a divine reversal of judgment. The verse graphically depicts the utter destruction of this enemy, whether a literal invading army or a symbolic representation of the locust plague described earlier, by driving it into desolate lands, its forces scattered across the Dead Sea to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. The rising stench from their demise signifies complete and irreversible defeat, serving as a consequence for their arrogant actions or the great devastation they inflicted. This illustrates God's sovereignty over all creation and His unwavering commitment to protect His restored covenant people.

Joel 2 20 Context

Joel chapter 2 is a vivid prophecy moving from imminent judgment to glorious restoration. Chapters 1 and 2:1-11 depict a severe locust plague and drought, interpreted as an invading army and a manifestation of the "Day of the LORD" – a time of divine judgment. This cataclysm serves as a call for the people to return to the Lord with all their heart (Joel 2:12-14). In response to their repentance, the tone shifts dramatically from despair to hope in Joel 2:18-27. God expresses pity for His people and promises to act on their behalf. Joel 2:19 reassures Judah of food and freedom from disgrace. Verse 20 specifically addresses the immediate threat, whether the locusts or a literal army, promising its complete and devastating removal. This deliverance paves the way for the profound spiritual renewal and physical blessings promised in the subsequent verses of Joel 2 and 3. Historically, the Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria) often suffered invasions from powers originating to their north, like Assyria and Babylon, making "the northern army" a potent and terrifying symbol for the original audience.

Joel 2 20 Word analysis

• And I will remove: (whirḥaqtî - וְהִרְחַקְתִּ֤י, Hiphil Perfect, from râchaq). This verb denotes a complete and forceful putting away, driving something far off. It highlights divine action and initiative, ensuring the permanent departure of the threat. The "I" refers definitively to Yahweh, emphasizing His absolute authority.
• far off from you: Specifies the beneficiaries of this action – "you" refers to Judah, God's people. The distance implies that the enemy will no longer pose a threat.
• the northern army: (haṣṣəp̄ônî - הַצְּפוֹנִ֖י). Literally, "the one from the north." This can refer to the devastating locust plague, which symbolically acts like an army coming from the northern highlands, or a literal human invading army (e.g., Assyrian or Babylonian forces often advanced from the north). For Israel, major historical threats typically originated from this direction, making it a generic term for significant adversaries. Its symbolic and literal interpretations are both valid within the scope of prophecy.
• and will drive him: (wəhiđđaḥtî́hū - וְהִדַּחְתִּי֙הוּ, Hiphil Perfect, from nādaḥ). This implies a forceful, violent expulsion, akin to pushing or casting something away. The shift from "remove" to "drive" emphasizes the power and severity of God's action against the foe.
• into a parched and desolate land: (el-ʼeréṣ ṣiýyâ wəšammâ - אֶל־אֶ֤רֶץ צִיָּה֙ וּשְׁמָמָ֔ה). This is a dry, barren, uninhabitable wasteland. It signifies a place where the enemy will not thrive but will rather be consumed and destroyed. It's a geographical metaphor for total eradication.
• with his front toward the eastern sea: (ʾel-hayyâmâ haqqadmonî́ - אֶל־הַיָּמָה֙ הַקַּדְמֹנִ֔י). The eastern sea is the Dead Sea, located to the east of Judah. "Front" refers to the leading edge of the advancing (now retreating) force.
• and his rear toward the western sea: (wəsōpố ʼel-hayyāmā́h hāʼaḥărôń - וְסוֹפֹ֖ו אֶל־הַיָּ֥ם הָאַחֲרֹֽון). The western sea is the Mediterranean Sea, west of Judah. "Rear" refers to the trailing edge. This imagery powerfully conveys a complete rout and annihilation – the enemy stretched and destroyed from one side of the land to the other, or literally dispersed and perished, with no remnant.
• and his stench will rise: (wəʻalâ boʾšố - וְעָלָ֥ה בָאְשׁוֹ֙). "Stench" (boʾš) refers to the foul smell of decay, putrefaction, typically from rotting corpses. This indicates mass death and decomposition, a gruesome and unmistakable sign of utter defeat.
• and his foul smell will rise: (wətaʻaléh ṣaḥănatṓ - וְתַֽעֲלֶ֖ה צַחֲנָתֹ֑ו). "Foul smell" (ṣaḥănâ) is a near-synonym for stench, intensifying the horrific sensory experience. The repetition underscores the overwhelming nature of the defeat and the ignominious end of the enemy. The land will not be defiled by their living presence, but by the decaying smell of their eradication.
• for he has done great things: (kî́ higdîĺ laʻaśôt́ - כִּ֣י הִגְדִּיל֙ לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת, Hiphil Perfect, from gāđal). This phrase is key. It does not mean the enemy accomplished great good. Instead, it can be interpreted as:
  • Acting arrogantly/magnifying himself: The enemy presumed to be powerful and independent, defying God and His people (as seen in Goliath's boast in 1 Sam 17:34-36, or Isa 10:12-14 regarding Assyria). Their "greatness" was in their insolent challenge to divine authority.
  • Performed great devastation: The "great things" refer to the significant destruction and suffering the enemy (locusts or human army) caused. This phrase is used in other contexts (e.g., Psa 126:2-3) where God has "done great things." Here, it's the enemy who did great things in opposition, which now warrants God's judgment and destruction against them.

Joel 2 20 Bonus section

• The directional emphasis "northern" is consistently used in prophetic literature (Jeremiah, Ezekiel) to symbolize threats to God's people. This makes the "northern army" a powerful and recognizable symbol of divine judgment that God is now removing.
• The use of olfactory imagery ("stench," "foul smell") is unique and impactful. Unlike visual or auditory depictions of defeat, smell is pervasive and deeply unsettling, indicating the overwhelming and undeniable reality of the enemy's utter demise. It also serves as a polemic against the idea of powerful, unassailable enemies – even their bodies will be abhorrently disposed of.
• The promise of removal is an act of cleansing and sanctification of the land. The presence of the enemy defiled the land; their total destruction, even with a temporary foul odor, is ultimately for the restoration of purity.
• This verse can be understood eschatologically, pointing to the final defeat of all of God's enemies in the "Day of the LORD," securing eternal peace for His people.

Joel 2 20 Commentary

Joel 2:20 serves as the powerful crescendo of God's promise of restoration following Judah's sincere repentance. After painting a terrifying picture of the "northern army," whether literal invaders or the devastating locust swarm, God assures His people of their absolute removal. The language employed leaves no doubt about the completeness of this divine intervention: the enemy is not merely repelled but utterly removed and driven into the most desolate regions. The striking geographical imagery of being dispersed from the Dead Sea in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west highlights a complete and total rout, signifying that no vestige or power of this foe will remain. The graphic description of their stench rising underscores the overwhelming death and decay, a repulsive monument to their defeat and an ultimate humiliation. The concluding phrase, "for he has done great things," offers divine justification for this judgment. It speaks not of praise for the enemy but condemns their arrogance and the immense devastation they wrought. In the economy of God, unchecked pride and significant opposition to His people invite swift and devastating recompense. This verse assures believers that even the most formidable threats are subject to God's supreme power, especially when His people turn back to Him in humility and faith.