Bible Commentary

Joel 2:7

Joel 2:7

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

They shall run like mighty men,.... Like men of war, in a hostile way, as soldiers run upon their enemy with undaunted courage and bravery. Bochart from Pisidas describes the locusts' manner of fighting, who says, they strike not standing, but running:they shall climb the wall like men of war; scale the walls of cities as besiegers do; walls and bulwarks cannot keep them out; all places are accessible to them, walled cities, towns, yea, even houses, ;and they shall march everyone on his ways; in his proper path, following one another, and keeping just distance:and they shall not break their ranks; or "pervert their ways", as the word signifies in the Arabic language, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, observe; that is, decline not from their paths, as the Septuagint version; proceed in an orderly way, keep rank and file; so they are said to go forth in bands, Pr 30:27; and to encamp, Na 3:17.

Jerom on the text relates what he saw with his own eyes:"this we lately saw (says he) in this province (Palestine); for when swarms of locusts came, and filled the air between heaven and earth, they flew in such order, by the disposition and command of God, that they kept their place like chequered squares in a pavement fixed by the hands of artificers; so as not to decline a point, nor even I may say a nail's breadth;''they keep as exact order as if military discipline was known and observed by them.

Some render it, "they shall not ask their way" ; being unconcerned about it, moving on in a direct line securely.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for Joel 2:7

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Joel 2 — OverviewJoel 2 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn this chapter we have, I. A further description of that terrible desolation which should be made in the land of Judah by the locusts and caterpillars, ver. 1-11. II. A serious call to the people, when they…Joel 2 — OverviewJoel 2 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeJoel 2:1, He shews unto Zion the terribleness of God’s judgment; Joel 2:12, He exhorts to repentance; Joel 2:15, prescribes a fast; Joel 2:18, promises a blessing thereon; Joel 2:21, He comforts Zion with present, Joel…Joel 2 — OverviewJoel 2 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter a further account is given of the judgment of the locusts and caterpillars, or of those who are designed by them, Joe 2:1; the people of the Jews are called to repentance, humiliation, and fasting, urged…Joel 2:1-11Joel 2:1-11 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleHere we have God contending with his own professing people for their sins and executing upon them the judgment written in the law (Deut. xxviii. 42), The fruit of thy land shall the locust consume, which was…Joel 2:1-11Joel 2:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryThese verses contain a further description of the calamity occasioned by the locusts and the appearance presented by them; the calling of a congregational meeting for penitence and prayer; the reason assigned in the…Joel 2:1-11Joel 2:1-11 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe ministry of alarm. "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion," etc. Zion was the meeting-place for the people of God, and may be fairly taken as a type of the true Church in all ages. We may take these verses as setting forth…