Joel 2:20

Authorized King James Version

But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְֽאֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
הַצְּפוֹנִ֞י
H6830
from you the northern
northern
#3
אַרְחִ֣יק
H7368
But I will remove far off
to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)
#4
מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#5
וְהִדַּחְתִּיו֮
H5080
army and will drive
to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
#6
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
אֶ֣רֶץ
H776
him into a land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#8
צִיָּ֣ה
H6723
barren
aridity; concretely, a desert
#9
וּשְׁמָמָה֒
H8077
and desolate
devastation; figuratively, astonishment
#10
אֶת
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#11
פָּנָ֗יו
H6440
with his face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#12
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#13
הַיָּ֣ם
H3220
sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#14
הַקַּדְמֹנִ֔י
H6931
toward the east
(of time) anterior or (of place) oriental
#15
וְסֹפ֖וֹ
H5490
and his hinder part
a termination
#16
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#17
הַיָּ֣ם
H3220
sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#18
הָאַֽחֲר֑וֹן
H314
toward the utmost
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
#19
וְתַ֙עַל֙
H5927
shall come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#20
בָאְשׁ֗וֹ
H889
and his stink
a stench
#21
וְתַ֙עַל֙
H5927
shall come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#22
צַחֲנָת֔וֹ
H6709
and his ill savour
stench
#23
כִּ֥י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#24
הִגְדִּ֖יל
H1431
great things
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
#25
לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃
H6213
because he hath done
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection