Joel 2:25
What does Joel 2:25 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:25 means
Jehovah declares His intention to restore the years of agricultural devastation caused by the various locusts and caterpillars, referring to them as "my great army which I sent among you." This confirms God's sovereign control over even natural disasters, using them as instruments of judgment. More importantly, it promises a complete compensation for what was lost, not just a future bounty. This emphasizes God's redemptive power, capable of not only rebuilding but also making up for past losses, demonstrating His commitment to His covenant people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I will give back to you the years which were food for the locust, the plant-worm, the field-fly, and the worm, my great army which I sent among you.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I have recompensed to you the years That consume did the locust, the cankerworm, And the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, My great force that I did send against you.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I will restore to you the years which the locust, and the bruchus, and the mildew, and the palmerworm hath eaten; my great host which I sent upon you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.
Context
Building on the promises of future abundance in verse 24, this verse explicitly addresses the past devastation, offering a profound promise of restoration for the years eaten by the various swarms. It clarifies that these plagues were God's own instruments, underscoring His sovereignty, and beautifully transitions to the people's grateful satisfaction and praise in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 10:6
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back; for I have mercy upon them; and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am Jehovah their God, and I will hear them.
- Joel 2:2
a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, as the dawn spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after them, even to the years of many generations.
- Joel 1:4
That which the palmer-worm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the canker-worm eaten; and that which the canker-worm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.
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