Joel 2:11
And 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?
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָתַ֤ן
shall utter
H5414
נָתַ֤ן
shall utter
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 21
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 21
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
חֵיל֔וֹ
his army
H2428
חֵיל֔וֹ
his army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
5 of 21
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מְאֹ֖ד
and very
H3966
מְאֹ֖ד
and very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
מַחֲנֵ֔הוּ
for his camp
H4264
מַחֲנֵ֔הוּ
for his camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
9 of 21
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
עָצ֖וּם
for he is strong
H6099
עָצ֖וּם
for he is strong
Strong's:
H6099
Word #:
11 of 21
powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous
עֹשֵׂ֣ה
that executeth
H6213
עֹשֵׂ֣ה
that executeth
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
דְבָר֑וֹ
his word
H1697
דְבָר֑וֹ
his word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
13 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יוֹם
for the day
H3117
יוֹם
for the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
16 of 21
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
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְנוֹרָ֥א
terrible
H3372
וְנוֹרָ֥א
terrible
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
18 of 21
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
מְאֹ֖ד
and very
H3966
מְאֹ֖ד
and very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
Cross References
Malachi 3:2But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' sope:Nahum 1:6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.Revelation 18:8Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.Revelation 6:17For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?Psalms 46:6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.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 3:16The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.Isaiah 42:13The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.Isaiah 13:4The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the LORD of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.Jeremiah 50:34Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare involved commanders leading armies into battle. Applying this imagery to God communicates His active involvement in judgment—He's not detached observer but engaged warrior. The concept of divine warrior appears throughout Scripture (Exodus 15:3, Psalm 24:8, Isaiah 42:13, Revelation 19:11-16). Jesus fulfills this as conquering King returning to defeat enemies and establish His kingdom.
Questions for Reflection
- How does imaging God as warrior challenge contemporary emphasis on divine love while ignoring holiness?
- Who can stand before the Lord on judgment day, and what does it mean to be purified beforehand?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
"And 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?" This verse presents God as commanding general leading His army. The Hebrew chayil (army/host) can describe military forces or angelic beings. Here, both may apply—God commands locust swarms like military forces and ultimately commands angelic armies at final judgment. The phrase "he is strong that executeth his word" teaches that God's word doesn't return void but accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:11). The rhetorical question "who can abide it?" expects answer: no one—apart from divine mercy. Malachi 3:2 asks identically about Messiah's coming. The answer: only those refined and purified can stand. Christ's first coming brought grace; His second brings judgment and vindication.