Joel 2:17
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Original Language Analysis
בֵּ֤ין
H996
בֵּ֤ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
1 of 24
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
Let the priests
H3548
הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
Let the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
5 of 24
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מְשָׁרְתֵ֖י
the ministers
H8334
מְשָׁרְתֵ֖י
the ministers
Strong's:
H8334
Word #:
6 of 24
to attend as a menial or worshipper; figuratively, to contribute to
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
ח֧וּסָה
Spare
H2347
ח֧וּסָה
Spare
Strong's:
H2347
Word #:
9 of 24
properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בָֽעַמִּ֔ים
among the people
H5971
בָֽעַמִּ֔ים
among the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
12 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
13 of 24
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתֵּ֨ן
and give
H5414
תִּתֵּ֨ן
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
14 of 24
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
נַחֲלָתְךָ֤
not thine heritage
H5159
נַחֲלָתְךָ֤
not thine heritage
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
גּוֹיִ֔ם
that the heathen
H1471
גּוֹיִ֔ם
that the heathen
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
19 of 24
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
לָ֚מָּה
H4100
לָ֚מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
Cross References
Psalms 115:2Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God?Psalms 79:10Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.Ezekiel 8:16And he brought me into the inner court of the LORD'S house, and, behold, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD, and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.Exodus 34:9And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.Matthew 23:35That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.Amos 7:2And it came to pass, that when they had made an end of eating the grass of the land, then I said, O Lord GOD, forgive, I beseech thee: by whom shall Jacob arise? for he is small.Joel 1:9The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.1 Kings 6:3And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.Hosea 14:2Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.Isaiah 37:20Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
Historical Context
Priestly intercession was central to Israel's worship. The high priest entered the Most Holy Place annually on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the nation (Leviticus 16). This passage describes extraordinary corporate prayer in crisis. The argument that pagan victory would dishonor God's name reflects ancient Near Eastern theology—victories proved which gods were stronger. God's concern for His reputation drove intervention on Israel's behalf repeatedly (Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 14:13-19, Psalm 79:9-10, 115:1-2). Ultimately, God vindicated His name through Christ, whose resurrection demonstrated God's power and faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does priestly intercession in the Old Testament point toward Christ's ongoing intercession for believers (Hebrews 7:25)?
- What does it mean to pray based on God's glory and reputation rather than merely personal needs?
- How should concern for God's honor among unbelievers shape Christian life and witness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
"Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" This verse describes priestly intercession at a specific location—between the porch (temple entrance) and the altar (where sacrifices were offered), the most sacred space in the temple complex (2 Chronicles 4:9, Matthew 23:35). Priests standing there functioned as mediators between God and people. Their prayer "Spare thy people" uses the Hebrew chuws (have compassion, pity)—pleading for mercy. The concern isn't merely national survival but God's reputation: "give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them." If God's people fall to pagans, unbelievers will mock God, saying "Where is their God?" This argument appeals to God's glory and honor. The Reformed understanding of God's jealousy for His name affirms that God acts to vindicate His glory (Ezekiel 20:9, 14, 22, 39:25; Isaiah 48:11).