Joel 2:17
What does Joel 2:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:17 means
The priests, as the spiritual leaders, are commanded to weep and intercede for the people between the temple porch and the altar, a place of profound significance for sacrifice and prayer. Their plea is for God to spare His people from reproach by the nations, who would mockingly question God's presence if His people were conquered. This highlights the theological dimension of the crisis, emphasizing God's honor and the covenant relationship as central to their petition, as they seek divine protection and deliverance.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Let 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Let 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let the priests, the servants of the Lord, be weeping between the covered way and the altar, and let them say, Have mercy on your people, O Lord, do not give up your heritage to shame, so that the nations become their rulers: why let them say among the peoples, Where is their God?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Between the porch and the altar weep let the priests, ministrants of Jehovah, And let them say: `Have pity, O Jehovah, on Thy people, And give not Thy inheritance to reproach, To the ruling over them of nations, Why do they say among peoples, Where <FI>is<Fi> their God?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Between the porch and the altar the priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Let the priests, the ministers of Jehovah, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare, O Jehovah, thy people, and give not thine inheritance to reproach, that they should be a byword of the nations. Wherefore should they say among the peoples, Where is theirGod?
Context
Following the comprehensive call for all people to gather in repentance, this verse specifically designates the role of the priests. They are instructed to offer a heartfelt intercession on behalf of the nation, emphasizing their mediatorial role and articulating the core of the people's plea: God's honor among the nations, thus concluding the call to repentant action and leading to God's response.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 42:10
As with a sword in my bones, mine adversaries reproach me, While they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
- 2 Chronicles 7:20
then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
- Matthew 23:35
that upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous unto the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the sanctuary and the altar.
- Deuteronomy 9:16
And I looked, and, behold, ye had sinned against Jehovah your God; ye had made you a molten calf: ye had turned aside quickly out of the way which Jehovah had commanded you.
- Psalms 79:4
We are become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to them that are round about us.
- Psalms 74:10
How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?
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