Joel 2 22

Joel 2:22 kjv

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

Joel 2:22 nkjv

Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

Joel 2:22 niv

Do not be afraid, you wild animals, for the pastures in the wilderness are becoming green. The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.

Joel 2:22 esv

Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

Joel 2:22 nlt

Don't be afraid, you animals of the field,
for the wilderness pastures will soon be green.
The trees will again be filled with fruit;
fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more.

Joel 2 22 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Lev 26:4-5I will give you your rains in their season... and the trees of the field...Blessings for obedience, fruitful land guaranteed.
Deut 11:13-14if you diligently obey my commandments... I will give the rain for your landObedience linked to timely rain and abundant harvest.
Ps 65:9-13You visit the earth and water it... the pastures of the wilderness drip...God's compassionate care for creation, land's fruitfulness.
Ps 104:14-16He causes the grass to grow... wine that makes glad the heart...God's provision for both human and animal sustenance.
Isa 35:1-2The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice...Prophecy of glorious future restoration, barren land flourishing.
Isa 41:18-19I will open rivers... in the desert; I will plant in the wilderness...God's power transforming desolation into fertility.
Isa 55:10-13For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven... so shall my word be...God's word ensures fulfillment of His promises, including abundance.
Jer 31:12They shall come and sing aloud... their soul shall be like a well-watered garden.Joy and spiritual abundance accompanying physical restoration.
Ezek 36:29-30I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses... and multiply the fruit...Land's productivity as part of national renewal.
Amos 9:13“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when the plowman shall overtake the reaper..."Prophecy of extraordinary, overlapping agricultural abundance.
Zec 8:12For there shall be the seed of peace; the vine shall give her fruit...God's blessing bringing peace and renewed agricultural yield.
Hab 3:17-18Though the fig tree should not blossom... I will rejoice in the Lord.Faith even if agricultural conditions are currently barren.
Joel 2:24The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow...Immediate context confirming widespread, overflowing abundance.
Joel 2:28-29And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit...Physical restoration immediately precedes and prepares for spiritual outpouring.
Gen 8:22While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat... shall not cease.God's foundational covenant of seasonal order and provision.
Hos 2:21-22"And in that day I will answer," declares the Lord... "I will answer the earth."God's direct response to and blessing upon the earth.
Mat 6:26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap... yet your heavenly Father feeds them.God's consistent provision and care for all creation.
Rom 8:19-22For the creation waits with eager longing... subject to futility...Creation's anticipation of liberation from decay, sharing in redemption.
Gal 5:22-23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...Spiritual "fruit" in the New Testament, echoing themes of abundance and vitality.
Phil 4:6-7Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer...Assurance against fear, paralleling "Be not afraid."
Jer 29:11For I know the plans I have for you... to give you a future and a hope.God's sovereign and good plans, bringing restoration after suffering.
Is 30:23And he will give rain for the seed... and the grain that the land produces...God gives rain and bountiful produce for his people.

Joel 2 verses

Joel 2 22 Meaning

Joel 2:22 proclaims a comprehensive reversal of the divine judgment and the restoration of abundant fruitfulness to the land after a devastating locust plague and drought. It directly addresses the wild animals, reassuring them that God will revive the land's productivity, causing once barren pastures to flourish, and all fruit trees, specifically the fig and vine, to yield their full produce and vitality. This signifies God's complete renewal of creation, demonstrating His sovereignty over all life and His faithful response to His people's repentance.

Joel 2 22 Context

Joel chapter 2 is a crucial turning point, moving from a terrifying description of the "Day of the Lord" manifested through an unprecedented locust plague and severe drought (Joel 1:1-20; 2:1-11) to a powerful call for national repentance and subsequently to God's gracious response. Verse 22 is integral to this promised restoration. It directly follows Joel's fervent call for Judah to "return to the Lord with all your heart" (Joel 2:12-17) and God's stated jealousy for His land and pity on His people (Joel 2:18-20). He then outlines the specific ways He will reverse the devastation. He promises to remove the destructive northern "army" (understood as the locusts or a military enemy) and, crucially, to restore agricultural abundance (Joel 2:19-27). Verse 22 specifically details this agricultural renewal for all creation, from the uncultivated wilderness to the vital cultivated fields. This sets the stage for the overflowing harvests promised immediately thereafter (Joel 2:23-27). This physical restoration is also a prelude to the climactic promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Joel 2:28-32), demonstrating God's holistic plan of renewal for both the land and His people. It directly contrasts and stands as a divine polemic against any notion that famine or blight are the final judgment or that false deities like Baal control fertility; YHWH alone is sovereign and the ultimate source of all provision and life.

Joel 2 22 Word analysis

  • Be not afraid: אַל־תִּירְאוּ (al-tiruu). This is a strong negative imperative, a direct divine command offering comfort and reassurance. It echoes a pervasive biblical theme of trusting God even amidst dire circumstances.

  • ye beasts of the field: בַּהֲמוֹת שָׂדַי (ba-hamot saday). "Beasts" (behemot) generally refers to larger quadrupeds, particularly wild animals, distinguishing them from domestic livestock. "Field" (saday) indicates the open, uncultivated country. The direct address to animals is an example of anthropomorphism, emphasizing the universality of God's restoration, benefiting all creation that shared in the previous judgment.

  • for: כִּי (ki). This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding command not to fear. It points to God's ensuing restorative action.

  • the pastures of the wilderness: נְאוֹת מִדְבָּר (ne'ot midbar). "Pastures" (ne'ot) refers to desirable, green grazing areas that offer rest and sustenance. "Wilderness" (midbar) typically denotes arid, uncultivated, often barren land. The pairing signifies a miraculous transformation, where formerly desolate areas will burst forth with lush vegetation.

  • do spring: דָּשְׁאוּ (dash'u). From the root dasha, meaning to sprout, to grow green, or cause to bring forth grass. It conveys fresh, vigorous, widespread new growth, specifically of green herbage for grazing.

  • for the tree beareth her fruit: הָעֵץ נָשָׂא פִרְיוֹ (ha'etz nasa piryo). "The tree" (ha'etz) is a general term for any tree, especially a fruit-bearing one, indicating widespread arboreal recovery. "Beareth her fruit" (nasa piryo) means carrying or yielding its produce. This promises a complete reversal of the previous stripping of trees by the locusts.

  • and the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength: וְתְאֵנָה וְגֶפֶן נָתְנָה חֵילָהּ (vete'enah vegefen natnah cheilah).

    • fig tree: תְּאֵנָה (te'enah). A primary agricultural staple in ancient Israel, providing food. Its failure (e.g., Hab 3:17) signified severe economic disaster.
    • vine: גֶּפֶן (gefen). Another critically important crop, source of grapes for wine. Both fig and vine are emblematic of prosperity and peace in the Old Testament. Their destruction (Joel 1:7, 12) symbolized profound devastation.
    • do yield their strength: נָתְנָה חֵילָהּ (natnah cheilah). "Yield" (natnah) means to give, or provide. "Strength" (cheilah from חַיִל - ḥayil) is a rich term. While it can mean strength or power, in this agricultural context, it signifies full, inherent productive capacity, abundant produce, or vital bounty. It promises not just some fruit, but an overflowing, full measure of what the trees are meant to produce.
  • Words-group Analysis:

    • "Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field": This opening sets a tone of comfort and universal scope for God's restoration. It conveys that divine care and redemption extend beyond humanity to all creatures, affirming God's holistic concern for creation, which groaned under the curse.
    • "for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, and the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength": This section details the extent of the promised agricultural renewal. The progression moves from wild, uncultivated grazing lands to general fruit trees, and then specifically highlights the fig tree and the vine, crucial cultivated crops for human sustenance and economy. The precise sequence of actions—do spring for grasses, beareth her fruit for general trees, and do yield their strength for specific crops—illustrates distinct yet comprehensive aspects of plant life renewing with vibrant productivity and abundance.

Joel 2 22 Bonus section

  • This verse contains an Edenic echo, pointing back to God's original design for a flourishing creation in Genesis 1-2, and anticipating its future restoration (Rev 22:1-2).
  • The addressing of "beasts of the field" supports the biblical truth that creation itself was affected by the Fall (Gen 3:17-19) and therefore partakes in the broader redemption that God accomplishes (Rom 8:19-22).
  • The inclusion of the "fig tree and vine" commonly serves as a biblical emblem for national prosperity, security, and peace (e.g., 1 Kgs 4:25, Mic 4:4, Zec 3:10), signaling Judah's return to a state of blessing and flourishing under God's favor.
  • This promise acts as a divine counter-curse, reversing the covenant curses related to agricultural failure and desolation for disobedience (e.g., Deut 28:18, 38-40), demonstrating God's prerogative to restore after He has disciplined.

Joel 2 22 Commentary

Joel 2:22 is a powerful assurance of divine grace and complete restoration. It is uttered directly after God promises to respond to Judah's genuine repentance and deep mourning. This verse paints a vivid picture of reversal, transforming a land laid waste by judgment into a thriving ecosystem. God addresses not only His people but even the wild animals, promising relief and provision, thereby showcasing His dominion over all creation and His meticulous care. The key elements of recovery—pastures sprouting in desolate areas and fruit trees like the fig and vine bursting forth with full vitality and produce—directly counter the recent experience of barrenness and economic collapse. This demonstrates that God's restoration is not just a return to a minimal existence, but an overflowing, generous outpouring of blessing, highlighting His commitment to holistic renewal. This physical abundance then lays the groundwork and signifies the coming spiritual abundance, the pouring out of His Spirit promised immediately afterward in Joel 2:28-29, confirming God's sovereign plan for comprehensive life.