Joel 2:1
What does Joel 2:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:1 means
Joel commands the faithful to sound a trumpet alarm in Zion, signaling an urgent alert to God’s holy mountain and throughout the land of Judah. This is not a drill, but a solemn warning to tremble, for the day of the Lord, a period of divine judgment and intervention, is incredibly near. The trumpet call emphasizes the immediate and serious nature of the impending judgment, urging the people to recognize the gravity of the situation and prepare for God's impending action.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let the horn be sounded in Zion, and a war-cry in my holy mountain; let all the people of the land be troubled: for the day of the Lord is coming;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Blow ye a trumpet in Zion, And shout ye in My holy hill, Tremble do all inhabitants of the earth, For coming is the day of Jehovah, for <FI>it is<Fi> near!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain; let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of Jehovah cometh, for it is at hand;
Context
Following the call to attention in chapter 1, this verse opens chapter 2 by re-emphasizing the urgency of the coming "Day of the Lord." It transitions from the descriptive imagery of the locust plague to a direct command, preparing the reader for the terrifying details of this divine invasion presented in the subsequent verses.
v.1This passage
v.2a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 2:12
For there shall be a day of Jehovah of hosts upon all that is proud and haughty, and upon all that is lifted up; and it shall be brought low;
- Daniel 9:16
O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, let thine anger and thy wrath, I pray thee, be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that are round about us.
- Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of Jehovah, ye that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hate you, that cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, Let Jehovah be glorified, that we may see your joy; but it is they that shall be put to shame.
- Malachi 4:1
For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith Jehovah of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
- Obadiah 1:15
For the day of Jehovah is near upon all the nations: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee; thy dealing shall return upon thine own head.
- Psalms 87:1
His foundation is in the holy mountains.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Joel 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Joel 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Filled with the Spirit
The Bible encourages believers to be filled with the Spirit, a divine empowerment for Christian life and witness
Topic
Bible Verses About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence, power, and wisdom, guiding believers into truth, empowering them for service, and transforming their lives