Joel 1:15
Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
Original Language Analysis
י֣וֹם
for the day
H3117
י֣וֹם
for the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
3 of 9
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
י֣וֹם
for the day
H3117
י֣וֹם
for the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 9
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Jeremiah 30:7Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.Joel 2:11And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?Joel 2:31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.Revelation 6:17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?Psalms 37:13The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.James 5:9Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.
Historical Context
"Day of the LORD" appears 19 times in the Old Testament, describing God's intervention in judgment or deliverance. Prophets applied it to historical events (Babylonian conquest, return from exile) and eschatological realities (Messiah's coming, final judgment). Jesus referenced it in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24), Paul in 1-2 Thessalonians, Peter in 2 Peter 3, John throughout Revelation. Each historical fulfillment points toward ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns.
Questions for Reflection
- Does anticipation of Christ's return produce holy living or complacent presumption in your life?
- How should imminent judgment shape evangelistic urgency?
Analysis & Commentary
"Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The exclamation "Alas!" (Hebrew 'ahahh) expresses distress and grief. "The day of the LORD" theme dominates Joel—that appointed time when God intervenes decisively. The phrase "at hand" (qarob) means near, imminent—not theoretical future but approaching reality. The comparison "as a destruction from the Almighty" uses Hebrew shod from Shaddai (Almighty)—a wordplay emphasizing that destruction (shod) comes from the all-powerful God (Shaddai). No one can resist or escape. This teaches that the Day of the LORD has dual nature: deliverance for the faithful, destruction for the rebellious. It's not ethnic identity but spiritual condition that determines experience—Jews and Gentiles alike face judgment or mercy based on faith in Christ (Romans 2:28-29, Galatians 3:28-29).