Joel 2:6
What does Joel 2:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 2:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 2:6 means
At the approach of this powerful and terrifying army, the people are overwhelmed with anguish. Their faces turn pale with fear, indicating a deep terror and dread that has gripped everyone. This verse emphasizes the psychological impact of the impending judgment, showing that the mere presence of this force is enough to cause widespread panic and physical manifestation of fear. It underscores the utter helplessness and despair felt by those facing such an overwhelming power.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901At their presence the peoples are in anguish; all faces are waxed pale.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949At their coming the people are bent with pain: all faces become red together.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862From its face pained are peoples, All faces have gathered paleness.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752At their presence the people shall be in grievous pains: all faces shall be made like a kettle.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Before them the peoples are in anguish: all faces turn pale.
Context
Having described the appearance and sounds of the invading army, Joel now shifts to the immediate impact on the inhabitants. This verse vividly portrays the terror and anguish experienced by the people, highlighting the psychological effect of this looming judgment, which sets the stage for the subsequent verses that detail the army's effective and unstoppable actions.
v.5Like the noise of chariots on the tops of the mountains do they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
v.6This passage
v.7They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 30:6
Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?
- Lamentations 4:8
Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: Their skin cleaveth to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick.
- Isaiah 13:8
and they shall be dismayed; pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman in travail: they shall look in amazement one at another; their faces shall be faces of flame.
- Jeremiah 8:21
For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt: I mourn; dismay hath taken hold on me.
- Nahum 2:10
She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are waxed pale.
- Psalms 119:83
For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
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