Old Testament

Joel 2:20

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, God promises to remove a powerful enemy, referred to as the northern army, from the people of Israel.

Author: Joel the prophet
Written: Date debated (around 835 or 500 BC)
Genre: Prophecy
Original Audience: The kingdom of Judah

CBTClear Bible Translation

I will drive the northern army far away from you, pushing it into a barren, desolate land, with its front ranks toward the eastern sea and its rear guard toward the western sea. Its stench will rise, because it has done great things.

KJVKing 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.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God promises to remove a powerful enemy, referred to as the northern army, from the people of Israel. This army will be driven into a desolate land, symbolizing defeat and abandonment. The imagery of the army's stench rising signifies the consequences of their actions and the destruction they have caused. The mention of the eastern and western seas indicates the vastness of the land they will be pushed into, emphasizing their total removal from Israel. This verse reassures the Israelites that God is in control and will protect them from their adversaries, highlighting His power to deliver and restore. It serves as a reminder of God's judgment against those who oppose His people and the hope of liberation from oppression. Explore related deliverance.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Joel 2:20 to your life

This verse encourages believers to trust in God's ability to remove obstacles and enemies from their lives. It reminds us that God is aware of our struggles and will act on our behalf. We can find comfort in knowing that God fights for us and brings about justice in His timing.

Curated for this public verse page. Joel Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Joel 2:20 mean?

Joel 2:20 means that God will remove a powerful enemy, referred to as the northern army, from Israel and drive them into a desolate land, symbolizing their defeat and abandonment.

What is the significance of the northern army in Joel 2:20?

The northern army in Joel 2:20 represents a formidable enemy that threatens Israel, and God's promise to drive them away signifies His protection and deliverance for His people.

What does the stench in Joel 2:20 symbolize?

The stench in Joel 2:20 symbolizes the consequences of the northern army's actions and the destruction they have caused, highlighting the judgment against those who oppose God's people.

What is the context of Joel 2:20?

The context of Joel 2:20 is a message of hope and reassurance to the Israelites, emphasizing God's sovereignty and His power to deliver them from their enemies.

Book Summary

The Book of Joel

Joel 1: The Locust Plague and Call to Mourning

Joel delivers the word of the LORD and calls the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to listen. He asks whether such a disaster has ever happened and commands them to tell it to future generations. He describes successive waves of locusts that strip the land bare until nothing remains. Vineyards and fig trees are ruined, and the bark is stripped from the trees.

Joel tells the drunkards to wake up and weep because the new wine is cut off. He describes a powerful nation coming against the land, strong and without number, devouring everything like a lion. The grain, wine, and oil fail, and the fields are wasted. Farmers are ashamed, and joy dries up among the people. Joel calls the priests to put on sackcloth and mourn because the offerings are cut off from the house of the LORD. He commands them to sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders, and cry out to the LORD. He announces that the day of the LORD is near and describes it as destruction from the Almighty. Crops fail, storehouses lie empty, animals groan for lack of pasture, and even the beasts cry to the LORD as fire consumes the land. Joel 2: The Day of the LORD and the Promise of the Spirit Joel commands that a trumpet be blown in Zion because the day of the LORD is near. He describes it as a day of darkness and gloom. A great and powerful army spreads over the land. Before them the land is like Eden, but behind them it is a desolate wilderness. They run like horsemen, climb walls, and enter houses without breaking ranks. The earth quakes, the heavens tremble, and the sun and moon grow dark. Joel declares that the LORD gives His voice before His army, and the day of the LORD is great and very terrible. The LORD calls the people to return to Him with all their heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. He commands them to rend their hearts and not their garments. The priests are to weep between the porch and the altar and ask the LORD to spare His people and not make them a reproach.

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