Joel 2:9 kjv

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

Joel 2:9 nkjv

They run to and fro in the city, They run on the wall; They climb into the houses, They enter at the windows like a thief.

Joel 2:9 niv

They rush upon the city; they run along the wall. They climb into the houses; like thieves they enter through the windows.

Joel 2:9 esv

They leap upon the city, they run upon the walls, they climb up into the houses, they enter through the windows like a thief.

Joel 2:9 nlt

They swarm over the city
and run along its walls.
They enter all the houses,
climbing like thieves through the windows.

Joel 2 verses

Joel 2 9 Meaning

Joel 2:9 vividly portrays the terrifying and unstoppable invasion of the locust army. It describes their pervasive, disciplined movement, their ability to breach every conventional defense, and their complete infiltration of private spaces. This natural disaster serves as a stark metaphor for the relentless and inescapable nature of divine judgment, foreshadowing the impending Day of the Lord. The verse emphasizes that no physical stronghold or personal sanctuary can withstand God's decreed visitation.

Joel 2 9 Context

Joel chapter 2 graphically describes an unprecedented locust plague that has devastated Judah, stripping the land bare and plunging the people into mourning. This plague is not merely a natural disaster but is presented as a vanguard of the "Day of the Lord"—a period of divine judgment and outpouring. Joel 2:9 contributes to this harrowing depiction by emphasizing the overwhelming and unavoidable nature of this invasion. The locusts are portrayed as a disciplined, innumerable army (vv. 4-7) that cannot be stopped by any human means, storming the city with militaristic precision. Their ability to "run upon the wall" and "climb up into the houses" demonstrates the futility of human defenses against a force ordained by God. The entire chapter serves as a dire warning and a call to sincere repentance (Joel 2:12-17), before the full terrors of God's final judgment. The Day of the Lord is painted as a "day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness" (Joel 2:2), implying no place of escape or safety.

Joel 2 9 Word analysis

• They run to and fro (שׁוּטוּ shūṭū): This Hebrew verb implies a swift, extensive, and often purposeful movement of searching or roaming. It suggests their pervasive reach and relentless activity throughout the entire city, not just in one spot. It conveys a restless, relentless energy, characteristic of an organized invading force systematically covering all ground.
• in the city (ba-ʿîr): This specifies the invasion's target. It's not just the agricultural fields, which are their natural habitat and food source, but the very centers of human habitation, community, and security. The emphasis shifts from rural destruction to urban chaos, violating previously safe zones.
• they run upon the wall (חוֹמָה ḥōmâ): The city wall was the primary defensive barrier, representing human ingenuity and fortification against external threats. The locusts' ability to "run upon" (על, ʿal) indicates they scale or swarm over this obstacle with effortless ease, rendering it useless. This is a direct polemic against reliance on physical defenses.
• they climb up (יַעֲלוּ yaʿălû): This verb means to "go up" or "ascend." It highlights their physical ability to surmount vertical challenges, reinforcing their defiance of normal obstacles. It suggests a persistent, determined effort to reach higher ground, further invading private space.
• into the houses (bāttîm): The houses symbolize private sanctuaries, places of refuge, comfort, and personal security. Their intrusion here represents a violation of the most intimate and guarded spaces, illustrating the total breakdown of order and safety. This suggests complete vulnerability.
• they enter in at the windows (חַלּוֹנוֹת ḥallōnōṭ): Instead of entering through conventional doors, they use the windows. This implies a cunning, pervasive, and insidious entry, bypassing expected points of defense. Windows are typically smaller, less guarded openings, emphasizing the lack of any truly secure access point.
• like a thief (כַּגַּנָּב kaggannāv): This simile is profoundly significant. A thief enters surreptitiously, unexpectedly, unwelcome, and with the intent to steal or harm. It evokes a sense of shock, violation, and helplessness. This comparison not only describes the manner of invasion but also foreshadows the sudden, unannounced arrival of the "Day of the Lord" itself, which is often likened to a thief in later scripture.

Words-group analysis:

• "They run to and fro in the city; they run upon the wall": This phrase paints a picture of overwhelming numerical superiority and relentless movement. No part of the urban environment is spared, and no fortified boundary can impede their progress. The movement is uniform and purposeful, suggesting a disciplined invasion.
• "they climb up into the houses; they enter in at the windows like a thief": This highlights the completeness of the invasion and the violation of personal space. The transition from public structures (city, wall) to private dwellings (houses) demonstrates their absolute pervasiveness. The "windows" and "like a thief" comparison emphasize the unexpected, insidious, and terrifying nature of this infiltration, leaving no place untouched and no possession or peace unmolested. It underscores the utter helplessness of those under judgment.

Joel 2 9 Bonus section

The highly organized and disciplined behavior attributed to the locusts, despite having "no king" (as Proverbs 30:27 states), is a notable theological point in Joel. It highlights that their unity and destructive efficiency are not from an internal hierarchy but are a manifestation of God's divine command and orchestration. The Lord, through this "great and mighty people" (Joel 2:2), is effectively declaring war on Judah due to their disobedience. This imagery serves as a powerful call to repentance, emphasizing that the only true defense against such a divinely commissioned invasion is to turn back to the Lord with all one's heart (Joel 2:12-13). The physical violation of walls and homes symbolizes a spiritual breaking down of false securities and pride, forcing a confrontation with their sin and reliance on God alone.

Joel 2 9 Commentary

Joel 2:9 presents a terrifying, cinematic description of an overwhelming invasion that strips away all pretense of security. The meticulous detail, moving from the broad city to the intimate household and even unconventional entry points like windows, emphasizes the absolute nature of the disaster. This vivid imagery elevates the locust plague from a mere natural event to a divine harbinger of judgment. It is not just about the insects; it is about God's power being irresistible, and His judgment being inescapable. No physical barrier, no personal haven, no defensive strategy, no amount of human vigilance can stop what God has ordained. The comparison to a "thief" profoundly underscores the unexpected, unwelcome, and total nature of this incursion, echoing themes later seen in descriptions of the Day of the Lord or Christ's second coming, warning humanity of their unpreparedness. This verse stands as a stark reminder of human vulnerability before divine power, prompting genuine repentance as called for later in the chapter.