Joel 2:16
What does Joel 2:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:16 means
This verse emphatically includes every segment of society in the call to corporate repentance. From the elderly to nursing infants, and even newly married couples, all are to gather for the solemn assembly. The instruction for the bridegroom and bride to leave their chambers underscores the extreme urgency and gravity of the situation, indicating that even the most joyful and private moments must be set aside for this collective plea for God's mercy. No one is exempt from participating in this critical act of humility before God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901gather the people, sanctify the assembly, assemble the old men, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Get the people together, make the mass of the people holy, send for the old men, get together the children and babies at the breast: let the newly married man come out of his room and the bride from her tent.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Gather the people, sanctify an assembly, Assemble the aged, Gather infants and sucklings of the breasts, Go out let a bridegroom from his inner chamber, And a bride out of her closet.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bridal chamber.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890gather the people, hallow the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth from his chamber, and the bride from her closet.
Context
Building on the call for a solemn assembly in verse 15, this verse details the comprehensive scope of this gathering. It emphasizes that every person, regardless of age or life stage, is to be included, highlighting the universal nature of the impending judgment and the collective responsibility to repent, further preparing for the specific intercession of the priests in the next verse.
v.15Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly;
v.16This passage
v.17Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Jehovah, and give not thy heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is their God?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 29:5
and said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites; now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of Jehovah, the God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
- Zechariah 12:11
In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
- 2 Chronicles 20:13
And all Judah stood before Jehovah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
- 2 Chronicles 35:6
And kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare for your brethren, to do according to the word of Jehovah by Moses.
- 2 Chronicles 30:17
For there were many in the assembly that had not sanctified themselves: therefore the Levites had the charge of killing the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto Jehovah.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.
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