Joel 2:23
What does Joel 2:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:23 means
This verse directly calls the people of Zion to rejoice in Jehovah their God because He is faithful to provide. Specifically, He will send the former and latter rains in their proper measure, even in the first month. This promise of timely and abundant rainfall is crucial for agricultural success, reversing the drought and scarcity. It emphasizes God’s benevolent sovereignty over nature, ensuring the sustenance of His people and affirming their special relationship with Him through His provision and faithfulness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be glad, then, you children of Zion, and have joy in the Lord your God: for he gives you food in full measure, making the rain come down for you, the early and the late rain as at the first.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And ye sons of Zion, joy and rejoice, In Jehovah your God, For He hath given to you the Teacher for righteousness, And causeth to come down to you a shower, Sprinkling and gathered--in the beginning.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you, O children of Sion, rejoice, and be joyful in the Lord your God: because he hath given you a teacher of justice, and he will make the early and the latter rain to come down to you as in the beginning.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And ye, children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in Jehovah yourGod; for he giveth you the early rain in due measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the early rain, and the latter rain at the beginning [of the season].
Context
Building on the general call to rejoice and the specific restoration of nature, this verse directly addresses the "children of Zion" with a command to rejoice in Jehovah. It gives a concrete reason for their joy: God's promise of the crucial former and latter rains, which directly impacts their agricultural prosperity and logically leads to the description of abundant harvest in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Habakkuk 3:17
For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:
- Psalms 95:1
Oh come, let us sing unto Jehovah; Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
- Psalms 104:34
Let my meditation be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.
- Luke 1:46
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
- Zechariah 9:9
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy king cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, even upon a colt the foal of an ass.
- Philippians 3:1
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.
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