Joel 2:1-11
1. Blow . . . trumpet—to sound an alarm of coming war (Nu 10:1-10; Ho 5:8; Am 3:6); the office of the priests. Joe 1:15 is an anticipation of the fuller prophecy in this chapter.
2. darkness . . . gloominess . . . clouds . . . thick darkness—accumulation of synonyms, to intensify the picture of calamity (Isa 8:22). Appropriate here, as the swarms of locusts intercepting the sunlight suggested darkness as a fit image of the coming visitation.
as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people—Substitute a comma for a colon after mountains: As the morning light spreads itself over the mountains, so a people numerous [MAURER] and strong shall spread themselves. The suddenness of the rising of the morning light, which gilds the mountain tops first, is less probably thought by others to be the point of comparison to the sudden inroad of the foe. MAURER refers it to the yellow splendor which arises from the reflection of the sunlight on the wings of the immense hosts of locusts as they approach. This is likely; understanding, however, that the locusts are only the symbols of human foes. The immense Assyrian host of invaders under Sennacherib (compare Isa 37:36) destroyed by God (Joe 2:18, 20, 21), may be the primary objects of the prophecy; but ultimately the last antichristian confederacy, destroyed by special divine interposition, is meant (see on Joe 3:2). there hath not been ever the like—(Compare Joe 1:2; Ex 10:14).3. before . . . behind—that is, on every side (1Ch 19:10).
fire . . . flame—destruction . . . desolation (Isa 10:17). as . . . Eden . . . wilderness—conversely (Isa 51:3; Eze 36:35).4. appearance . . . of horses— (Re 9:7). Not literal, but figurative locusts. The fifth trumpet, or first woe, in the parallel passage (Re 9:1-11), cannot be literal: for in Re 9:11 it is said, "they had a king over them, the angel of the bottomless pit"—in the Hebrew, Abaddon ("destroyer"), but in the Greek, Apollyon—and (Re 9:7) "on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men." Compare Joe 2:11, "the day of the Lord . . . great and very terrible"; implying their ultimate reference to be connected with Messiah's second coming in judgment. The locust's head is so like that of a horse that the Italians call it cavalette. Compare Job 39:20, "the horse . . . as the grasshopper," or locust.
run—The locust bounds, not unlike the horse's gallop, raising and letting down together the two front feet.5. Like the noise of chariots—referring to the loud sound caused by their wings in motion, or else the movement of their hind legs.
on the tops of mountains—MAURER connects this with "they," that is, the locusts, which first occupy the higher places, and thence descend to the lower places. It may refer (as in English Version) to "chariots," which make most noise in crossing over rugged heights.6. much pained—namely, with terror. The Arab proverb is, "More terrible than the locusts."
faces shall gather blackness— (Isa 13:8; Jer 30:6; Na 2:10). MAURER translates, "withdraw their brightness," that is, wax pale, lose color (compare Joe 2:10; Joe 3:15).7-9. Depicting the regular military order of their advance, "One locust not turning a nail's breadth out of his own place in the march" [JEROME]. Compare Pr 30:27, "The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands."
8. Neither shall one thrust another—that is, press upon so as to thrust his next neighbor out of his place, as usually occurs in a large multitude.
when they fall upon the sword—that is, among missiles. not be wounded—because they are protected by defensive armor [GROTIUS]. MAURER translates, "Their (the locusts') ranks are not broken when they rush among missiles" (compare Da 11:22).9. run to and fro in the city—greedily seeking what they can devour.
the wall—surrounding each house in Eastern buildings. enter in at the windows—though barred. like a thief— (Joh 10:1; compare Jer 9:21).10. earth . . . quake before them—that is, the inhabitants of the earth quake with fear of them.
heavens . . . tremble—that is, the powers of heaven (Mt 24:29); its illumining powers are disturbed by the locusts which intercept the sunlight with their dense flying swarms. These, however, are but the images of revolutions of states caused by such foes as were to invade Judea.11. Lord . . . his army—So among Mohammedans, "Lord of the locusts" is a title of God.
his voice—His word of command to the locusts, and to the antitypical human foes of Judea, as "His army." strong that executeth his word— (Re 18:8).