Joel 1:2

Authorized King James Version

Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שִׁמְעוּ
H8085
Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
זֹאת֙
H2063
this (often used adverb)
#3
הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים
H2205
this ye old men
old
#4
וְהַֽאֲזִ֔ינוּ
H238
and give ear
to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e., (by implication) to listen
#5
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
יוֹשְׁבֵ֣י
H3427
all ye inhabitants
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#7
הָאָ֑רֶץ
H776
of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
הֶהָ֤יְתָה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
זֹּאת֙
H2063
this (often used adverb)
#10
בִּימֵ֥י
H3117
Hath this been in your days
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
#11
וְאִ֖ם
H518
or even
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#12
בִּימֵ֥י
H3117
Hath this been in your days
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
#13
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃
H1
of your fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection