Devine Scripture

Joel 2:11

What does Joel 2:11 mean?

A plain-English look at Joel 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Joel 2:11 means

Jehovah Himself speaks, leading this immense army, for His camp is vast and He is mighty in executing His word. This verse makes clear that the terrifying invasion is not a random calamity but a direct act of God’s sovereign judgment. The prophet asserts the great and terrible nature of the day of the Lord, posing a rhetorical question about who can endure such a moment. This emphasizes God's ultimate authority and power behind the events unfolding, underscoring the severity of divine wrath.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Lord is thundering before his forces; for very great is his army; for he is strong who gives effect to his word: for the day of the Lord is great and greatly to be feared, and who has strength against it?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His force, For very great <FI>is<Fi> His camp, For mighty <FI>is<Fi> the doer of His word, For great <FI>is<Fi> the day of Jehovah--very fearful, And who doth bear it?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the Lord hath uttered his voice before the face of his army: for his armies are exceedingly great, for they are strong, and execute his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who can stand it?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for strong is he that executeth his word: for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can bear it?

Context

Following the cosmic disturbances described in verse 10, this verse clarifies the ultimate source of the judgment: Jehovah Himself. It directly attributes the invading army and the day's terror to God's command, shifting the reader's focus from the attacking force to the divine power behind it and thereby setting up the call to repentance in the verses that follow.

v.10The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

v.11This passage

v.12Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Joel 2:25

    And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.

  • Numbers 24:23

    And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this?

  • Zephaniah 1:14

    The great day of Jehovah is near, it is near and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of Jehovah; the mighty man crieth there bitterly.

  • Jeremiah 30:7

    Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

  • Isaiah 13:4

    The noise of a multitude in the mountains, as of a great people! the noise of a tumult of the kingdoms of the nations gathered together! Jehovah of hosts is mustering the host for the battle.

  • Ezekiel 22:14

    Can thy heart endure, or can thy hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I, Jehovah, have spoken it, and will do it.

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