Amos 4, Fat Cows, Happy With Their Religion

The shepherd Amos confronts the leaders of Israel/Samaria.

Amos 4:1-3, Cows of Bashan

Hear this word, you cows of Bashan on Mount Samaria, 

you women who oppress the poor and crush the needy 

and say to your husbands, "Bring us some drinks!"

 

The Sovereign LORD has sworn by his holiness: 

"The time will surely come when you will be taken away with hooks, 

the last of you with fishhooks.

You will each go straight out through breaks in the wall, 

and you will be cast out toward Harmon,"

declares the LORD.  

Bashan was apparently known for its healthy fat cows. The rich women of Samaria are like fat cows, sitting on their sofas, calling for their husbands to bring them a drink! This vivid image is followed by another -- when Assyria invades, the women will be pulled into captivity, pulled with fishhooks through holes in the walls.

Amos 4:4-5, Oh, go sin!

"Go to Bethel and sin; 

go to Gilgal and sin yet more. 

Bring your sacrifices every morning, 

your tithes every three years.

Burn leavened bread as a thank offering 

and brag about your freewill offerings--

boast about them, you Israelites, 

for this is what you love to do,"

declares the Sovereign LORD.

In a long sarcastic passage the people are told, "Go ahead. Sin like you have been doing." Go to Bethel and Gilgal and make offerings to your idols. Keep up your rituals; brag about your offerings. A century later Jeremiah will say something similar (Jeremiah 7:21-23.)

The altars at Bethel were first created by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:26-30) when the kingdoms broke up. Sacrifices also at Gilgal are mentioned in Hosea 9:15, 12:11. 

Verse 4 ends with the NIV translating the timing of tithes as every three years. The Hebrew text says to bring the tithes every three yamim. This word literally means "days"; the root of yamim is yom, the same word used for the creative days in Genesis 1. The word yamin could, occasionally, apparently mean a cycle of days, thus the NIV translations. Indeed, the ancient tithes were to be given every three years (Deuteronomy 14:28-29.) Both McComiskey and Niehaus would translate yamin here as "days", assuming that the author is making a statement of excessive tithing is part of the sarcastic emphasis on religious ritual replacing genuine worship.

Amos 4:6-8, Not enough to drink

"I gave you empty stomachs in every city 

and lack of bread in every town, 

yet you have not returned to me," 

declares the LORD.

"I also withheld rain from you 

when the harvest was still three months away.

 I sent rain on one town, 

but withheld it from another. 

One field had rain; 

another had none and dried up.

People staggered from town to town for water

 but did not get enough to drink, 

yet you have not returned to me," 

declares the LORD.  

In the past, YHWH has tried to turn the people back to Him, by withholding the rain and so allowing famine. Despite staggering around looking for water, the people do not turn to God for help.

The Hebrew text of the first line is literally "I gave you cleanness of teeth." In the ANE, to have "clean teeth" was to have nothing to eat.

Amos 4:9-11, Blight, plagues, war

"Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards,

 I struck them with blight and mildew. 

Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees, 

yet you have not returned to me," 

declares the LORD. 

 "I sent plagues among you as I did to Egypt.

 I killed your young men with the sword, 

along with your captured horses. 

I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps,

 yet you have not returned to me," 

declares the LORD.  

"I overthrew some of you 

as I overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah. 

You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire,

 yet you have not returned to me,"

 declares the LORD.  

In His attempts to get the attentions of the people, YHWH has sent blight and mildew that destroyed crops, plagues and wars that killed. The people are compared to those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although snatched from the fire, the people stay with their idolatries. 

This section echoes some of the warnings of Deuteronomy 28 regarding abandoning the Mosaic covenant.

Amos 4:12, Prepare to meet your God

"Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, 

and because I will do this to you, 

prepare to meet your God, O Israel."  

The chapter turns now with a final warning. Be prepared, says God, for the coming judgment.

Amos 4:13, Signature

He who forms the mountains, 

creates the wind, 

and reveals his thoughts to man,

 he who turns dawn to darkness, 

and treads the high places of the earth-- 

the LORD God Almighty is his name.

The chapter rises to a doxology ending, praising YHWH Almighty as Creator.

Some Random Thoughts

Ritual religion is not any better than no religion. Indeed, it might be worse. The quote of Karl Marx, that "religion is the opium of the masses", is accurate here. Religious rituals can make people feel comfortable, assuage guilt and, in many cases, lead them away from God. I find it frustrating, in my current US culture, that many people are excited when a corrupt individual says, "I am a Christian," even when all their actions say otherwise. That show of religion, without the true heart of worship, is the point in this passage. Jesus makes similar points about false religious actions in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:1-6.

First published June 30, 2025; updated June 30, 2025

Amos 3, Leg Bones in a Lion's Mouth

Amos has warned the nations around Israel -- and then finally, Israel -- about their injustices. Seven nations plus Israel, have been accused by God. Now, in the ANE court setting, the judge begins to issue a sentence against the accused.

Amos 3:1-2, Only you

Hear this word the LORD has spoken against you, O people of Israel--against the whole family I brought up out of Egypt:

"You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; 

therefore I will punish you for all your sins."

God's focus is now on Israel. Especially poignant is His description of the people of Israel as His special chosen nation. Of all the families on the earth, the Creator has chosen to work through Israel -- they are special and have special responsibilities. 

Amos 3:3-6, Does a lion roar?

Do two walk together 

unless they have agreed to do so?

Does a lion roar in the thicket 

when he has no prey? 

Does he growl in his den 

when he has caught nothing?

Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground 

where no snare has been set? 

Does a trap spring up from the earth 

when there is nothing to catch?

When a trumpet sounds in a city, 

do not the people tremble? 

When disaster comes to a city, 

has not the LORD caused it?  

A series of questions, asked by an observant shepherd, give imagery to the assurance of God's plans. Each question expects a clear enthusiastic response. The first five parallel lines of questions (beginning with "Do two walk together...") expect a "No!" response. The last two expect a response of "of course." The meassage culminates with the question, "Can a disaster occur without YHWH being the source?" The emphasis is on YHWH's power and His ability to judge.

The images of a trapped bird provide a contrast to David's exultation in Psalm 124. There (verse 7) he is grateful that God has saved Israel from the snare.

Amos 3:7-8, Prophets must speak

Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing 

without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.

The lion has roared-- 

who will not fear? 

The Sovereign LORD has spoken-- 

who can but prophesy?

When YHWH makes plans, He tells His prophets. Tbey (such as Amos) are obligated to speak.

Amos 3:7-9, They only know plunder

Proclaim to the fortresses of Ashdod 

and to the fortresses of Egypt: 

"Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria; 

see the great unrest within her 

and the oppression among her people."  

"They do not know how to do right," 

declares the LORD, 

"who hoard plunder and loot in their fortresses."  

The Philistine city of Ashdod and the nation of Egypt are pagan witnesses to Samaria's unrighteousness. The people of Samaria plunder and loot others and then hoard their treasures in their fortresses.

Amos 3:11-12, Two leg bones or a piece of ear

Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: 

"An enemy will overrun the land; 

he will pull down your strongholds 

and plunder your fortresses."

This is what the LORD says: 

"As a shepherd saves from the lion's mouth 

only two leg bones or a piece of an ear, 

so will the Israelites be saved, 

those who sit in Samaria on the edge of their beds 

and in Damascus on their couches."  

And so, after all their injustices, an enemy will come to overrun the land. The people will be merely a deer leg hanging from a lion's mouth. (The shepherd Amos is probably citing standards are flock care -- a shepherd who had lost a sheep to wild animals was to give evidence of that the animal had been killed, not stolen, eg. Exodus 22:13,)

Amos 3:13-15, Winter and summer houses

"Hear this and testify against the house of Jacob," declares the Lord, the LORD God Almighty.

"On the day I punish Israel for her sins, 

I will destroy the altars of Bethel; 

the horns of the altar will be cut off 

and fall to the ground.

I will tear down the winter house 

along with the summer house; 

the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed 

and the mansions will be demolished," 

declares the LORD.

 

The altars at Bethel, first created by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:26-30), will be torn down. The luxurious winter and summer houses, elegant mansions adorned with ivory, will also be destroyed.

First published June 28, 2025; updated June 28, 2025

Amos 2, Samaria, Judah, Israel Profane God's Name

Amos has described God's judgment on countries around Samaria and Judah. That description continues, spiraling in towards the two kingdoms of Israel.

Amos 2:1-3, Moab

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Moab, even for four, 

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because he burned, as if to lime, the bones of Edom's king, 

I will send fire upon Moab that will consume the fortresses of Kerioth. 

Moab will go down in great tumult amid war cries 

and the blast of the trumpet. 

I will destroy her ruler and kill 

all her officials with him," 

says the LORD.  

Moab has committed numerous sins. (The escalating "three, no four" is a typical Hebrew means of emphasis.) For their sins, Moab will be burned, as they apparently burned the bones of a king of Edom, desecrating his body. McComiskey notes that this is a crime by one pagan against another pagan; even if the victim was not an Israelite, this was still a gross sin deserving judgment.

There has been a long history of conflict between Moab and Israel dating back to the famous story of Balaam's donkey during the wilderness wanderings (Numbers 22.) At one point in that journey, Moabite women seduced Isrealite men (Numbers 25:1-3) and, in addition to the sexual immorality, encouraged the men to worship their gods with them. The enmity between the tribes continued throughout the time of the judges and the kings of Israel/Judah. The Mesha Steele is an ancient stone tablet from about 840 BC in which a Moabite king boasts of victory over the Israelites.

The town of Kerioth is mentioned in Jeremiah 48:21-25 but nothing else is known about it. Indeed, it is possible (McComiskey) that the Hebrew word Qeriyyoth merely means "towns" and could refer generically to a collection of cities, without intending any specific identification.

Amos 2:4-5, Judah

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Judah, even for four, 

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because they have rejected the law of the LORD 

and have not kept his decrees, 

because they have been led astray by false gods, 

the gods their ancestors followed, 

I will send fire upon Judah

that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem." 

Judah, also, has sinned against YHWH and so is here included in judgment. Judah also will face fire that destroys its fortresses. (2 Kings 25 records Nebuchadnezzar's defeat of Jerusalem, including the burning of the town. That defeat occurred about 170 years after the ministry of Amos.)

Amos 2:6-8, Israel too

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Israel, even for four, 

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

They sell the righteous for silver, 

and the needy for a pair of sandals. 

They trample on the heads of the poor 

as upon the dust of the ground 

and deny justice to the oppressed. 

Father and son use the same girl 

and so profane my holy name. 

They lie down beside every altar 

on garments taken in pledge. 

In the house of their god 

they drink wine taken as fines.  

Even Israel, Amos's target community, has also violated God's holiness and profaned His name. They sell the poor into slavery, have sex with the same girl (involving incest or prostitution) and thus use God's name in vain. They get drunk on wine they did not buy, lie down for sex on garments they have stolen, next to the altar of an idol. There appears to be no limit to Israel's debauchery.

Amos 2:9-10, Ancient victories recalled

"I destroyed the Amorite before them, 

though he was tall as the cedars

 and strong as the oaks. 

I destroyed his fruit above 

and his roots below. 

"I brought you up out of Egypt, 

and I led you forty years in the desert 

to give you the land of the Amorites. 

YHWH gave Israel victory over the Amorites (Canaanites) some of whom were described as "giants." (See Numbers 13:26-33 for the early report on "giants".) Before that, YHWH brought the people out of slavery in Egypt so that they could possess Canaan.

Amos 2:11-12, Abused the righteous

I also raised up prophets from among your sons 

and Nazirites from among your young men. 

Is this not true, people of Israel?" 

declares the LORD.  

"But you made the Nazirites drink wine 

and commanded the prophets not to prophesy. 

The rulers of Israel have abused righteous groups like the prophets and Nazirites. They have muzzled the prophets and the Nazirites, who do not drink wine, have been forced to break their vows and drink wine.

Amos 2:13-16, Pressed into the mud

"Now then, I will crush you 

as a cart crushes when loaded with grain. 

The swift will not escape, 

the strong will not muster their strength, 

and the warrior will not save his life. 

The archer will not stand his ground, 

the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, 

and the horseman will not save his life. 

Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day," 

declares the LORD.

Like a cart pressed deep into the mud, the leaders of Israel will not escape. In the coming judgment, earthly powers like speed, strength, good weapons, will all be useless. (This passage uses the word "not" repeatedly to confront reliance on numerous warrior qualities.)

First published June 27, 2025; updated June 27, 2025

Amos 1, Accusations Against the Countries Around Israel

A prophet speaks in the northern kingdom during the reign of Jeroboam II.

Amos 1:1-2, Amos of Tekoa

The words of Amos, one of the shepherds of Tekoa--what he saw concerning Israel two years before the earthquake, when Uzziah was king of Judah and Jeroboam son of Jehoash was king of Israel. He said: 

"The LORD roars from Zion 

and thunders from Jerusalem; 

the pastures of the shepherds dry up, 

and the top of Carmel withers."  

Amos of Tekoa is introduced. The date is probably just before 760 BC. (A great earth quake may have occurred about 760 BC. It was quite memorable, eg. Zechariah 14:5.) Both Israelite kingdoms are still in existence but the northern kingdom, Israel/Samaria will be destroyed by Assyria in 722 BC.

Tekoa was ten miles south of Jerusalem and six miles south of Bethlehem, says Niehaus. 

Amos begins his prophesy with a brief statement about the awesome power of YHWH, the power behind the accusations Amos will bring to six enemy nations and the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah.

Amos 1:3-5, Accusations against Syria

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Damascus, even for four,

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because she threshed Gilead with sledges having iron teeth, 

I will send fire upon the house of Hazael 

that will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad. 

I will break down the gate of Damascus; 

I will destroy the king who is in the Valley of Aven

 and the one who holds the scepter in Beth Eden. 

The people of Aram will go into exile to Kir," 

says the LORD.  

Syria, a longterm enemy of Israel, will face judgment. Here Damascus/Syria is accused of "threshing" Gilead. 

Niehaus argues that these verses follow an ANE "covenant-lawsuit" pattern, in which the plaintiff (YHWH) is introduced, identifies the defendant (here Damascus) and then gives an indictment and judgment. The plaintiff is introduced in third person before bringing their charge in first person. This pattern will appear throughout the book.

Damascus/Aram had overpowered Israel for about four decades during the ninth century BC reigns of Jehu and Jehoahaz, see 2 Kings 10:32-33, 13:1-3,7.  If the "threshing" is literal here, the soldiers of Syria rode over fallen Israelite soldiers with threshing boards (Niehaus, p. 341.)

Amos 1:6-8, Accusations against Gaza and the Philistines

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Gaza, even for four,

 I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because she took captive whole communities 

and sold them to Edom, 

I will send fire upon the walls of Gaza 

that will consume her fortresses. 

I will destroy the king of Ashdod 

and the one who holds the scepter in Ashkelon. 

I will turn my hand against Ekron,

 till the last of the Philistines is dead," 

says the Sovereign LORD.  

Gaza, land of the Philistines, will also face judgment. The conflicts with the Philistines and their cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon run throughout Old Testament history. The Philistines appear as enemies in Judges 3:31 and are then the primary oppressors of Israel during the life of Samson, Judges 13-16.

Amos 1:9-10, Accusations against Tyre

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Tyre, even for four, 

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because she sold whole communities of captives to Edom, 

disregarding a treaty of brotherhood, 

I will send fire upon the walls of Tyre 

that will consume her fortresses."  

Tyre and Sidon were (and still are) part of Lebanon. These two coastal cities were closely linked, both significant commercial hubs in the ancient Near East. Here Tyre is accused of selling (Hebrew) slaves to Edom, breaking a treaty with Israel. Amos will then turn to focus on Edom, below.

Amos 1:11-12, Accusations against Edom

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Edom, even for four, 

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because he pursued his brother with a sword, 

stifling all compassion, 

because his anger raged continually 

and his fury flamed unchecked, 

I will send fire upon Teman 

that will consume the fortresses of Bozrah."  

Amos passes on YHWH's judgment on Edom. The people of Edom are descendants of Jacob's brother Esau (Genesis 25:21-26,) and Teman was a son of Esau (Genesis 36:10-14.)

Amos 1:13-15, Accusations against Ammon

This is what the LORD says: 

"For three sins of Ammon, even for four, 

I will not turn back [my wrath]. 

Because he ripped open the pregnant women of Gilead 

in order to extend his borders,

I will set fire to the walls of Rabbah 

that will consume her fortresses 

amid war cries on the day of battle,

 amid violent winds on a stormy day.

Her king will go into exile, 

he and his officials together," 

says the LORD.

Ammon also is identified as an enemy of Israel and deserving judgment. Ammon was northeast of the Dead Sea in what is now the country of Jordan.

In Ezekiel's prophecies, 170 years later, accusations against Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia are given in Ezekiel 25 and then prophecies against Tyre, Sidon and Egypt continue in the next seven chapters of that book. We will see an accusation against Moab in the next chapter before the shepherd, Amos, turns his attention to Judah and Israel.

First published June 26, 2025; updated June 26, 2025

Joel 3, Valley of Judgment

In the Hebrew scriptures, this is chapter four, as chapter two is broken into two parts.

Joel 3:1-2, Valley of Jehoshaphat

  `In those days and at that time, 

when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,  

I will gather all nations 

and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

There I will enter into judgment against them 

concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, 

for they scattered my people among the nations 

and divided up my land.  

They cast lots for my people 

and traded boys for prostitutes;

they sold girls for wine that they might drink.  

This future day involves judgment all against the nations, in response to their treatment of Israel. This includes slavery and sex trafficking. 

There is debate on the text and meaning of the first verse. Some manuscripts, including the Septuagint and Syriac manuscripts give the second line of verse 1 as "I will bring back the captives of ..." instead of "I will restore the fortunes of ...." (See the verse 1 in Hebrew, here in Strong's concordance.) 

Patterson sees this event, in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, as occurring in the future, after the Great Tribulation. The location of this valley is unknown. As the Hebrew name Jehoshaphat means "God has judged," it is possible that the name is just a declaration of purpose. A valley of judgment seems to be common in the prophetic writings. See Jeremiah 7:30-34 for a Valley of Slaughter and Isaiah 22:1-13 for a Valley of Vision. In Ezekiel 39:11 invaders from Gog are buied in the Valley of Hamon Gog and in Zechariah 14:1-5 a valley is created by God splitting the Mount of Olives.

Joel 3:4-8a, Repayment

`Now what have you against me, O Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done. For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples.  

You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland.  `See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done.  

I will sell your sons and daughters

 to the people of Judah, 

and they will sell them to the Sabeans, 

a nation far away.` 

The invaders (here from the west, Tyre, Sidon, Philistia) have taken away the temple treasures and sold the Israelites into slavery. Vengeance is left to God (Deuteronomy 32:35), but it will occur; those who sold children as slaves will have their own children sold.

Joel 3:8b-12, Let's fight!

The LORD has spoken. 

 Proclaim this among the nations: 

Prepare for war! 

Rouse the warriors! 

Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.  

Beat your plowshares into swords 

and your pruning hooks into spears. 

Let the weakling say, `I am strong!`  

Come quickly, all you nations from every side, 

and assemble there.

 Bring down your warriors, O LORD!  

`Let the nations be roused;

 let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat,

 for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.  

The nations are called to come together and do their best. They will meet defeat in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. 

In  Isaiah 2:4. swords are beaten into plowshares; here, in verse 10, plowshares are beaten into swords.

Joel 3:13-16, Overflowing winepress

Swing the sickle, 

for the harvest is ripe. 

Come, trample the grapes, 

for the winepress is full and the vats overflow-- 

so great is their wickedness!`  

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! 

For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 

 

The sun and moon will be darkened, 

and the stars no longer shine. 

 The LORD will roar from Zion 

and thunder from Jerusalem; 

the earth and the sky will tremble.

 But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, 

a stronghold for the people of Israel.  

The winepress is full and overflowing. The reds of the grapes represents the blood of soldiers -- there will be a terrible day of judgment, so terrible that the heavens tremble. Some of these celestial disasters might represent burning fires of war blocking out the sky and earthquakes. 

The wine of God's wrath shows up in the New Testament in Revelation 14:9-12.

The Bible Project video on Joel argues that the beginning of chapter 3 quotes from Isaiah 13, Zephaniah 3, and Ezekiel 38-39.

Joel 3:17-18, Never again

`Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, 

dwell in Zion, my holy hill. 

Jerusalem will be holy; 

never again will foreigners invade her.  

`In that day the mountains will drip new wine,

 and the hills will flow with milk; 

all the ravines of Judah will run with water. 

A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house 

and will water the valley of acacias.

In the future Jerusalem, the land will be fruitful, overflowing with abundance. In that day, Jerusalem will be restored, to never again be invaded. A refreshing river will run out of the temple, watering flowers and flowing through ravines. (In Zechariah 14:8, one river will flow from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean while another flows from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea.)

The Bible Project video claims that, in addition to Zechariah 14, Joel is citing ideas from Isaiah 35 and Ezekiel 37.

Joel 3:19, Punishment

But Egypt will be desolate,

 Edom a desert waste,

 because of violence done to the people of Judah,

 in whose land they shed innocent blood.  

But as Israel prospers in that future day, its enemies, represented by Egypt and Edom, will be defeated. 

Joel 3:20-21, Pardon

Judah will be inhabited forever 

and Jerusalem through all generations.  

Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned,

 I will pardon.` 

The LORD dwells in Zion!  

              
Joel's final statement is that God rules and in this later day, forgiveness will be given and Judah will be inhabited forever.

First published June 25, 2025; updated June 25, 2025

Joel 2, A Coming Day

Joel has described a devastating locust plagues and interprets it as a warning to the nations of Israel and Judah.

Joel 2:1-2a, A day of darkness

  Blow the trumpet in Zion; 

sound the alarm on my holy hill. 

Let all who live in the land tremble, 

for the day of the LORD is coming.

 It is close at hand--

a day of darkness and gloom, 

a day of clouds and blackness. 

The dark clouds of locusts remind Joel of a coming day of darkness, in which the attack will be much more than an infestation of locusts. There is a day close at hand, in which the locust metaphor will describe an invading army.

Darkness is described with four words, darkness, gloom, clouds, blackness. Various combinations of these words appear (says Patterson) in the scenes at Mount Sinai in Deuteronomy 4:11 and in the plague of darkness in Exodus 10:21-22. All four words, emphasizing deep darkness, occur in Zephaniah 1:15. (See also Amos 5:18-20.)

Joel 2:2b-5, Locusts like horses

Like dawn spreading across the mountains 

a large and mighty army comes, 

such as never was of old 

nor ever will be in ages to come.

Before them fire devours, 

behind them a flame blazes. 

Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, 

behind them, a desert waste--

nothing escapes them.

They have the appearance of horses; 

they gallop along like cavalry.

With a noise like that of chariots 

they leap over the mountaintops, 

like a crackling fire consuming stubble, 

like a mighty army drawn up for battle.  

The coming horde will be an army that, like the locusts, turns green Eden into burnt stubble. They will cover the land just as the light of dawn spreads across the mountains. This invading army, riding on horses, is described both as a locust invasion and as a sweeping forest fire. 

The invading army is probably the Assyrian army of Sennacherib (says Patterson.) Although that army did not take Jerusalem, it did plunder deep into Judah and destroy much of the land. Its eventual retreat is described in 2 Kings 18:13-19:37.

Joel 2:6-10, Climbing in through the windows

At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;

 every face turns pale.

They charge like warriors; 

they scale walls like soldiers. 

They all march in line, 

not swerving from their course. 

They do not jostle each other; 

each marches straight ahead. 

They plunge through defenses 

without breaking ranks.  

They rush upon the city; 

they run along the wall. 

They climb into the houses; 

like thieves they enter through the windows.

 Before them the earth shakes, 

the sky trembles, 

the sun and moon are darkened, 

and the stars no longer shine.  

Just like the locusts were everywhere (climbing into rooms through windows!) so too will be these attacking soldiers.  No place will be safe from them. They are disciplined attackers, conquering everything in their paths. The description here is colorful, if not depressing. The invaders climb the walls, crawl in through windows, even the earth and sky react to their presence. A swarm of locusts could darken the sky -- even more so this ferocious band of marauders.

Patterson argues that these verses, through verse 27, are transitional, describing a near event (the invasion of Assyria) while preparing for a future event whose description begins in verse 28.

Joel 2:11, Thunder from YHWH

The LORD thunders at the head of his army; 

his forces are beyond number, 

and mighty are those who obey his command. 

The day of the LORD is great; 

it is dreadful. 

Who can endure it?  

The marauding army might be the Assyrians attacking from the north and east, or the Babylonians later -- but here we learn that this is YHWH's plan -- He will lead an army in that Day.

Is this a historical invasion (such as that by Assyria)? Or is it a future day yet to come?

Joel 2:12-14, Even now

`Even now,` declares the LORD, 

`return to me with all your heart, 

with fasting and weeping and mourning.`

Rend your heart and not your garments. 

Return to the LORD your God,

 for he is gracious and compassionate,

 slow to anger and abounding in love, 

and he relents from sending calamity.

Who knows? He may turn and have pity 

and leave behind a blessing-- 

grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.  

There is still an opportunity, says Joel, to avoid the coming disaster. Return to God and asks His forgiveness. Instead of ripping up garments and wearing sackcloth and ashes, the people are to "rend" their hearts, turning in honesty back to YHWH. It is not the outward signs that matter, but the inner workings of the heart. In verse 13, Joel is citing Exodus 34:6.

Joel 2:15-17, Declare a fast

Blow the trumpet in Zion, 

declare a holy fast, 

call a sacred assembly.

Gather the people, 

consecrate the assembly;

 bring together the elders, 

gather the children,

 those nursing at the breast. 

Let the bridegroom leave his room 

and the bride her chamber.  

Let the priests, who minister before the LORD, 

weep between the temple porch and the altar. 

Let them say, `Spare your people, O LORD. 

Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, 

a byword among the nations. 

Why should they say among the peoples, 

`Where is their God?'`  

The offer of reconciliation continues. If the people declare a fast, and gather themselves and repent, the country can still be saved. Even newlyweds should join in this assembly.

Joel 2:18-20, Grain and new oil

Then the LORD will be jealous for his land 

and take pity on his people.  

The LORD will reply to them: 

`I am sending you grain, 

new wine and oil, 

enough to satisfy you fully;

 never again will I make you an object of scorn to the nations.  

`I will drive the northern army far from you, 

pushing it into a parched and barren land, 

with its front columns going into the eastern sea

 and those in the rear into the western sea.

 And its stench will go up; 

its smell will rise.`

 Surely he has done great things.

If the people declare a fast and repent then prosperity will return. Grain and new oil will be provided in the future. The northern army will be driven away.

Joel 2:21-24, Green again

 Be not afraid, O land;

 be glad and rejoice.

 Surely the LORD has done great things.  

Be not afraid, O wild animals, 

for the open pastures are becoming green. 

The trees are bearing their fruit; 

the fig tree and the vine yield their riches.  

Be glad, O people of Zion, 

rejoice in the LORD your God, 

for he has given you the autumn rains 

in righteousness.

He sends you abundant showers, 

both autumn and spring rains, as before.  

The threshing floors will be filled with grain;

 the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.  

The land will become green again, the pastures flush with grass and cattle, the trees bearing fruit again.

Verse 23 has some wordplay. The Hebrew word mowreh comes from a root word which means "throw" or "shoot" and was used of a  "teacher" or "instructor." But the word was also used for the "early rain" or "spring rain" which initiated the early planting season. In the Hebrew worldview, teachers and rains both provided important nourishment for the people. The NIV has translated that Hebrew word (appearing twice in verse 23) as "showers" and "spring rains." However the word has a double meaning and the first occurrence in verse 23 is combined with the word tsedaqah, meaning "righteous" or "abundant". Thus, says Patterson, the wordplay is intended to suggest that YHWH will send the people instructions in righteousness, with those refreshing rains.

Joel 2:25-27, The years the locusts have eaten

`I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-- 

the great locust and the young locust, 

the other locusts and the locust swarm--

my great army that I sent among you.  

You will have plenty to eat, 

until you are full, 

and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, 

who has worked wonders for you; 

never again will my people be shamed.  

Then you will know that I am in Israel, 

that I am the LORD your God,

 and that there is no other;

 never again will my people be shamed.  

The devastation of the locusts will be repaired and the country repaid. The people will finally become fully the people of YHWH.

Joel 2:28-31, Pouring out of the Spirit

`And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 

Your sons and daughters will prophesy, 

your old men will dream dreams, 

your young men will see visions.  

Even on my servants, 

both men and women, 

I will pour out my Spirit in those days.  

I will show wonders in the heavens 

and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.  

The sun will be turned to darkness

 and the moon to blood 

before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.  

Now we hear about "afterward", after the earlier invasion. Most commentators see a change in time, from a historical event to a future day. Certainly the early church read it this way. Indeed, the Jewish scripture version of Joel separates out verses 28-32 as a short chapter, chapter 3, so that Joel has four chapters.

In this future time, men and women will be filled with the Spirit, speaking of visions and dreams. The invitation will be for all people, Gentiles and Jews. This new time will even be reflected in the sun and moon.

The pouring out of the Holy Spirit is described elsewhere: Isaiah 32:15 and 44:3, Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:26-28.

Joel 2:32, Call on YHWH

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; 

for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance,

 as the LORD has said, 

among the survivors whom the LORD calls.   

In that day, people will call for YHWH and be saved; Jerusalem will be delivered and survivors will return. The last five verses of this chapter are quoted in the New Testament by Peter at Pentecost in Acts 2:14-21, as he invites the people of Jerusalem to recognize Yeshuah as their Messiah. Patterson argues that at Pentecost "two tributary streams of prophecy met and blended together... Joel's prophecy was fulfilled but not consumated" (p. 258.)

First published June 24, 2025; updated June 24, 2025

Joel 1, Locust After Locust

Devastation by a plague of locusts begins this prophecy. The devastation likely occurred in the reign of Uzziah early in the eighth century BC (approximately 792-742 BC.) 

Joel 1:1-3, Everyone remembers

The word of the LORD that came to Joel son of Pethuel. 

Hear this, you elders; 

listen, all who live in the land. 

Has anything like this ever happened in your days 

or in the days of your forefathers? 

Tell it to your children, 

and let your children tell it to their children,

 and their children to the next generation.  

The disaster, to be described below, is dramatic, traumatic, something that will be remembered for generations.

Joel 1:4, Locust after locust

What the locust swarm has left the great locusts have eaten; 

what the great locusts have left the young locusts have eaten; 

what the young locusts have left other locusts have eaten.  

The locusts destroyed everything; what one swarm left, the next swarm took. There are four swarms describe here, by (in the NIV) "locusts", "great locusts", "young locusts" and "other locusts". There are four different Hebrew words for these insects: gazam, arbeh, yeleq, and chasil. Strong's concordance in verse 4 translates these as "chewing locust", "swarming locust", "crawling locust" and "consuming locust". Patterson suggests that the four different terms (and the rhythm of the text) communicate the intensity of the plague. There are records of locust swarms throughout the history of the ANE. 

Joel 1:5-7, Wake up!

Wake up, you drunkards, and weep! 

Wail, all you drinkers of wine; 

wail because of the new wine, 

for it has been snatched from your lips.  

A nation has invaded my land, 

powerful and without number; 

it has the teeth of a lion, 

the fangs of a lioness. 

It has laid waste my vines 

and ruined my fig trees. 

It has stripped off their bark 

and thrown it away, 

leaving their branches white.  

Now the prophet begins to speak. The nation is unprepared for this devastation. This devastation, removing all material comforts (such as new wine), should wake the people up. 

The locust invasion is described as an invasion by a powerful nation. The horror of the locust (coming in waves of millions) is described in colorful detail.

Joel 1:8-10, Mourn, mourn, mourn

Mourn like a virgin in sackcloth 

grieving for the husband of her youth.

Grain offerings and drink offerings 

are cut off from the house of the LORD. 

The priests are in mourning, 

those who minister before the LORD.  

The fields are ruined, 

the ground is dried up; 

the grain is destroyed, 

the new wine is dried up, 

the oil fails.  

Everything is ruined, everyone is in mourning. Even the priests are in mourning. The people are to mourn like a young bride who has lost her husband. 

Joel 1:11-12, Despair and wail

Despair, you farmers,

 wail, you vine growers; 

grieve for the wheat and the barley, 

because the harvest of the field is destroyed.

The vine is dried up

 and the fig tree is withered; 

the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree-- 

all the trees of the field--

are dried up. 

Surely the joy of mankind is withered away.  

The vines, wheat, barley, figs, pomegranates, and many other crops, have been destroyed.  Indeed, all joy is gone.

Joel 1:13-14, Declare a fast

Put on sackcloth, O priests, and mourn; 

wail, you who minister before the altar. 

Come, spend the night in sackcloth, 

you who minister before my God; 

for the grain offerings and drink offerings 

are withheld from the house of your God.  

Declare a holy fast; 

call a sacred assembly. 

Summon the elders and all who live in the land 

to the house of the LORD your God, 

and cry out to the LORD.  

The priests are instructed to lead the people in mourning. They are to declare a holy fast and call everyone together to cry out to God.

Joel 1:15-18, Shattered by Shadai

Alas for that day! 

For the day of the LORD is near; 

it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

Has not the food been cut off before our very eyes-- 

joy and gladness from the house of our God? 

The seeds are shriveled beneath the clods. 

The storehouses are in ruins, 

the granaries have been broken down, 

for the grain has dried up.  

How the cattle moan! 

The herds mill about because they have no pasture; 

even the flocks of sheep are suffering.  

Joel argues that the food shortage and ruined storehouses should bring people to repentance. A "day of YHWH" is near and it will include destruction. This locust swarm appears to be a warning.

In verse 15, the Hebrew translated "destruction from the Almighty" is two words ū·ḵə·šōḏ mi·šad·day. Both words (says Patterson) have the same root, shadad, indicating violence and overwhelming force. This ripple of words, like "shattered by Shadai" (Patterson, p. 243) is intended to be memorable to the Hebrew listener.

Joel 1:19-20, Only you, YHWH

To you, O LORD, I call, 

for fire has devoured the open pastures 

and flames have burned up all the trees of the field.

Even the wild animals pant for you; 

the streams of water have dried up 

and fire has devoured the open pastures.  

 

Joel ends this introductory chapter with a call to YHWH, explaining to God what has happened; even the wild animals "pant" for God, as the streams have dried up and the open pastures burned.

The Hebrew word araq, translated "pant" by the NIV, occurs only three times in the Old Testament (says Patterson.)  The other two times are in Psalm 42:1, where it is David who pants after God. In all three cases, the picture is of a thirsty animal seeking water.

The horrible locust plague becomes something more in the next chapter.

First published June 23, 2025; updated June 23, 2025