Joel 2:23
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
Original Language Analysis
וּבְנֵ֣י
then ye children
H1121
וּבְנֵ֣י
then ye children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
צִיּ֗וֹן
of Zion
H6726
צִיּ֗וֹן
of Zion
Strong's:
H6726
Word #:
2 of 18
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
גִּ֤ילוּ
Be glad
H1523
גִּ֤ילוּ
Be glad
Strong's:
H1523
Word #:
3 of 18
properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear
וְשִׂמְחוּ֙
and rejoice
H8055
וְשִׂמְחוּ֙
and rejoice
Strong's:
H8055
Word #:
4 of 18
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
בַּיהוָ֣ה
in the LORD
H3068
בַּיהוָ֣ה
in the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם
your God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
6 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
נָתַ֥ן
for he hath given
H5414
נָתַ֥ן
for he hath given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 18
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מוֹרֶ֥ה
the former rain
H4175
מוֹרֶ֥ה
the former rain
Strong's:
H4175
Word #:
11 of 18
an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain
לִצְדָקָ֑ה
moderately
H6666
לִצְדָקָ֑ה
moderately
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
12 of 18
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
וַיּ֣וֹרֶד
and he will cause to come down
H3381
וַיּ֣וֹרֶד
and he will cause to come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
13 of 18
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מוֹרֶ֥ה
the former rain
H4175
מוֹרֶ֥ה
the former rain
Strong's:
H4175
Word #:
16 of 18
an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain
Cross References
Leviticus 26:4Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.Philippians 4:4Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.Hosea 6:3Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.Deuteronomy 11:14That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.Isaiah 41:16Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.Psalms 149:2Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.Zechariah 10:1Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.Philippians 3:1Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.Psalms 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.Isaiah 30:23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.
Historical Context
Palestine's agriculture depended entirely on seasonal rainfall. No river systems like Egypt's Nile or Mesopotamia's Tigris-Euphrates provided irrigation. Deuteronomy 11:10-14 contrasts Egypt (watered by foot, i.e., irrigation) with the Promised Land (watered by rain from heaven). This made Israel utterly dependent on God for rain—a designed dependency teaching covenant faithfulness. Withholding rain was explicit covenant curse (Deuteronomy 11:17, 28:23-24, 1 Kings 17:1, Amos 4:7). Restoration of rain fulfilled covenant blessing promises (Leviticus 26:4, Deuteronomy 11:14, 28:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Joel's command to rejoice "in the LORD your God" rather than merely in blessings challenge shallow gratitude?
- What does the dual imagery of physical rain and spiritual teaching reveal about God's comprehensive care for both material and spiritual needs?
- How does understanding dependence on God for rain (beyond human control) apply to modern self-sufficient cultures?
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Analysis & Commentary
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God (Hebrew uvnei-Tsiyyon gilu vesimchu baYHWH Eloheikhem)—after addressing land (v. 21) and animals (v. 22), Joel turns to people. The phrase "children of Zion" designates covenant community members, those identified with Jerusalem, God's dwelling place. The dual command gilu vesimchu (גִּילוּ וְשִׂמְחוּ, "be glad and rejoice") intensifies joyful response. Critically, joy is directed "in the LORD your God" (baYHWH Eloheikhem)—not merely in blessings received but in the Giver Himself. True joy finds its source in God's character, not circumstances.
For he hath given you the former rain moderately (Hebrew ki-natan lakhem et-hammoreh litsdaqah)—this phrase is notoriously difficult to translate. Moreh (מוֹרֶה) can mean "early rain," "teacher," or "righteousness." Litsdaqah (לִצְדָקָה) means "for/according to righteousness." Possible translations:
Each interpretation enriches understanding: God sends rain according to righteousness (covenant faithfulness), provides teaching, and gives measured blessing.
And he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month—the yoreh (יוֹרֶה, early/former rain, October-November) and malqosh (מַלְקוֹשׁ, latter/spring rain, March-April) were essential for agriculture. Early rain softened soil for plowing and planting; latter rain matured crops before harvest. Their coming "in the first month" suggests abundance and perfect timing. James 5:7 uses this imagery: "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." The agricultural imagery points to spiritual outpouring—the early rain at Pentecost, the latter rain before Christ's return.