Joel 2 7

Joel 2:7 kjv

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

Joel 2:7 nkjv

They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks.

Joel 2:7 niv

They charge like warriors; they scale walls like soldiers. They all march in line, not swerving from their course.

Joel 2:7 esv

Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths.

Joel 2:7 nlt

The attackers march like warriors
and scale city walls like soldiers.
Straight forward they march,
never breaking rank.

Joel 2 verses

Meaning

Joel 2:7 vividly portrays the relentless and disciplined advance of the "Day of the Lord's" invading force. This force, described with a striking metaphor, exhibits immense speed, formidable strength, an uncanny ability to overcome all obstacles, perfect coordination, and unyielding order. They move like highly trained, elite warriors who never falter or break formation, highlighting their unstoppable nature against whom all human defenses are futile. The verse emphasizes the absolute certainty and overwhelming power of the impending divine judgment.

Cross References

VerseTextReference
Joel 2:1...the day of the LORD is coming, for it is at hand.Establishes the dread of "Day of the Lord."
Joel 2:2A day of darkness and gloom... like dawn spreading over the mountains...Depicts the scope and visual impact of the army.
Joel 2:9They rush on the city... they climb into the houses; they enter through the windows like a thief.Further details the army's pervasive invasion.
Joel 2:11The LORD utters His voice before His army; For His camp is very great...Highlights God's supreme authority over the army.
Joel 2:25"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten..."Underscores God's ultimate control and restoration.
Deut 28:49-50The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar... fierce countenance...Describes a foreign nation as divine judgment.
Jer 8:16-17From Dan is heard the snorting of their horses... For I will send serpents among you, vipers...Illustrates an unstoppable destructive force.
Hab 1:6-7For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous nation... dread and terrifying.God raises an oppressive, disciplined army.
Nah 2:3-5...the chariots dash madly in the streets; they rush to and fro in the squares...Describes the powerful movement of military forces.
Rev 9:7-9The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle... Their breastplates were like breastplates of iron...Echoes Joel's eschatological locust/army imagery.
Rev 9:16The number of the armies was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.Depicts immense, organized, destructive armies.
Deut 7:24And He will deliver their kings into your hand... no one will be able to stand before you...Demonstrates divine power making forces irresistible.
Jos 1:5No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life...Assures divine backing leading to an unstoppable force.
Rom 13:1Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities...Concept of order and submission, contrasting chaos.
1 Cor 14:40But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.Emphasizes the divine principle of orderliness.
Phil 2:3Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit...Implies spiritual unity and order, a contrast to human ego.
Lk 21:26Men fainting from fear and the expectation of what is coming upon the world...Depicts overwhelming fear of approaching judgment.
Is 13:4A sound of a multitude in the mountains... The LORD of hosts is mustering the army for battle.Shows God gathering an army for judgment.
Jer 50:9For behold, I am going to arouse and bring up against Babylon an assembly of great nations...God's specific direction of armies for His purpose.
Zec 1:6But My words and My statutes, which I commanded My servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers?Highlights the inescapable nature of God's word/judgment.
Heb 10:27...but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES.Illustrates the dreadful aspect of divine judgment.
Matt 24:30...then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS...Illustrates the overwhelming appearance of Christ.

Context

Joel Chapter 2 continues the prophetic warnings initiated in Chapter 1, shifting from a description of a past or ongoing natural locust plague to an intensified vision of the "Day of the Lord." This terrifying day, introduced with the trumpet's blast, depicts an overwhelming, militaristic invasion, causing widespread panic and desolation. Joel 2:7 fits squarely within this martial metaphor, illustrating the divine instrument's unyielding character. The vivid imagery likely draws on the experience of formidable human armies, but it is supernaturally enhanced to represent an unstoppable force directed by God for judgment on Judah for its sins and a call to sincere repentance. This context includes a subtle but strong polemic against the prevalent ancient belief in the invincibility of walled cities or human military strength against such a divinely marshaled power, directing the people to seek God alone for deliverance.

Word analysis

  • They run (יְרֻצוּן yerut͡sun): From the root רוץ (rūṣ), "to run" or "to rush." This denotes incredible speed, swift movement, and an immediate, forceful progression without hindrance.

  • like mighty men (כְּגִבּוֹרִים kəgibbōrîm): The prefix כְּ (kə-) means "like" or "as." גִּבּוֹרִים (gibbōrîm) refers to valiant warriors, heroes, or strong ones. This simile imbues the attacking force with not just physical strength but also courage, professional capability, and formidable prowess characteristic of elite soldiers.

  • they climb the wall (יַעֲלוּ קִיר yaʿalû qîr): יַעֲלוּ (yaʿalû) comes from עלה (ʿalâ), "to ascend," "go up," "climb." קִיר (qîr) means "wall." This describes their ability to effortlessly scale and overcome defensive fortifications, signifying that no human obstacle, however formidable, can withstand or protect from their advance.

  • like men of war (כְּאַנְשֵׁי מִלְחָמָה kəʾanšê milḥāmâ): אַנְשֵׁי (ʾanšê) means "men of," and מִלְחָמָה (milḥāmâ) means "war" or "battle." This second simile reinforces the military personification, emphasizing their disciplined, strategic, and professional demeanor as combatants.

  • they march every one on his ways (וְאִישׁ לְדַרְכָּו יֵלֵכוּן wəʾîš lədarkāv yēlēkûn): אִישׁ (ʾîš) means "each one" or "every man." דַּרְכָּו (darkāv) refers to "his ways" or "his paths." יֵלֵכוּן (yēlēkûn) means "they go" or "they walk/march." This highlights the perfect, individual precision within a larger, unified movement. Each unit, whether insect or soldier, knows and maintains its specific course, contributing to an unstoppable, perfectly coordinated collective march.

  • and they break not their ranks (וְלֹא יַעַבְּטוּן אֹרְחֹתָם wəloʾ yaʿabbəṭûn ʾorḥōtām): לֹא (loʾ) means "not." יַעַבְּטוּן (yaʿabbəṭûn) derives from a root implying entanglement or perversion, here meaning "to entangle," "to stumble," or "to deviate/break formation." אֹרְחֹתָם (ʾorḥōtām) means "their paths," "their tracks," or "their rows/ranks." This critical phrase emphasizes their unwavering discipline, complete lack of disorder, and their inability to deviate from their determined course.

  • Words-group by words-group analysis:

    • "They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war": This pair emphasizes both the raw power and the tactical effectiveness of the invading force. The repeated comparative "like" is central, drawing a vivid and frightening picture by attributing human martial attributes to a divinely directed force, whether literal locusts or a prefiguring army. This combination suggests that neither open-field combat nor fortified defenses offer any hope.
    • "they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks": This section underscores the absolute order, unity, and unwavering discipline of the "army." It implies a perfect, internal synchronization, where no individual falters or strays from the predetermined path. This speaks to their irresistible force, suggesting they are immune to disruption or confusion, a trait often absent in human armies, thus underscoring the divine perfection of their advance.

Commentary

Joel 2:7 is a profound testament to the unyielding nature of divine judgment when God acts. The graphic portrayal of the invading force – whether interpreted primarily as a massive locust plague, a literal human army (like the Assyrians or Babylonians), or an eschatological force – is framed in military terms to convey its unstoppable power and disciplined advance. The creatures behave with the swiftness and precision of trained warriors, overcoming every obstacle, climbing walls as if they were nothing. Crucially, they do not break their ranks or stumble, signifying perfect unity and unwavering determination. This supernatural discipline underscores the fact that this is not merely a natural phenomenon or a typical human conflict; it is a divinely ordered instrument executing God's sovereign will, against which human strength, defenses, and strategic attempts at resistance are utterly futile. It highlights God's awesome control over all creation and His ability to orchestrate perfect instruments for His purposes, emphasizing the absolute necessity of repentance and reliance on Him alone.

Bonus section

The hyper-organization and relentless precision of the "army" in Joel 2:7 serve to elevate the prophetic warning from a natural disaster to a supernaturally enabled agent of judgment. This degree of order and lack of disarray is rarely seen in natural swarms and certainly not flawlessly sustained in human armies without extensive training and discipline. This characteristic points directly to a divine hand, portraying God as the Master Strategist and Commander of all creation, who can empower even the smallest creatures (or the fiercest nations) with a level of unwavering dedication and precision far beyond their natural capabilities. This inherent order ensures the complete fulfillment of God's appointed task, providing no hope for escape or resistance.