Joel 2:21
What does Joel 2:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:21 means
This verse offers a comforting assurance to the land, commanding it not to fear but to be glad and rejoice. The reason for this exuberant response is that Jehovah Himself has performed great things. This encapsulates the divine reversal of fortune—the devastation brought by the invading army is now countered by God’s powerful intervening hand. It invites the land and its inhabitants to recognize God’s sovereign work of restoration, shifting from fear to celebratory gratitude for His magnificent deeds.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Have no fear, O land; be glad with great joy; for the Lord has done great things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Do not fear, O land! joy and rejoice, For Jehovah hath exerted Himself to work.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Fear not, O land, be glad, and rejoice: for the Lord hath done great things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890— Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for Jehovah doeth great things.
Context
Following the specific promises of agricultural restoration and the removal of the invading army, this verse offers a general call to the land to rejoice. It shifts the focus from the details of the blessings to the overarching truth that God is the author of these "great things," preparing the way for subsequent exhortations to celebrate God's restorative power over nature and His people.
v.20but I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive it into a land barren and desolate, its forepart into the eastern sea, and its hinder part into the western sea; and its stench shall come up, and its ill savor shall come up, because it hath done great things.
v.21This passage
v.22Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth its fruit, the fig-tree and the vine do yield their strength.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hosea 2:21
And it shall come to pass in that day, I will answer, saith Jehovah, I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth;
- Psalms 98:8
Let the floods clap their hands; Let the hills sing for joy together
- Zechariah 8:15
so again have I thought in these days to do good unto Jerusalem and to the house of Judah: fear ye not.
- Isaiah 55:12
For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
- Jeremiah 30:9
but they shall serve Jehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
- Jeremiah 33:3
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and will show thee great things, and difficult, which thou knowest not.
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