JOL front intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel<br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of the Book of Joel<br><br>1. The land ruined; the day of Yahweh is coming (1:1–2:11)<br> * Locusts and drought (1:1–20)<br> * The day of Yahweh (2:1–11)<br>1. Yahweh restores his people (2:12-32)<br> * The people should turn to Yahweh, for he will pity them (2:12–27)<br> * The Spirit of Yahweh, wonders, and salvation (2:28–32)<br>1. Yahweh will judge the nations (3:1-21)<br> * Yahweh judges the nations (3:1–16)<br> * Yahweh dwells in Zion (3:17–21)<br><br>### What is the Book of Joel about?<br><br>The main idea in the Book of Joel is “the day of Yahweh.” This expression is found five times (1:15, 2:1, 2:11, 2:21, 3:14).<br><br>The people of Israel looked forward to “the day of Yahweh” as a day that Yahweh would judge the nations around them. But Joel warns that Yahweh would also judge Israel for being unfaithful to him. After judging them, Yahweh will restore his people.<br><br>Joel’s message applies to the people of God in the church age. For Yahweh says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” and “everyone who calls on Yahweh will be saved” (2:28 and 2:32, quoted by Peter in Acts 2:17 and 2:21).<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>The traditional title of this book is “The Book of Joel” or just “Joel.” Translators may also call it the “The Book about Joel” or “The Sayings of Joel.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>### Who wrote the Book of Joel?<br><br>This book contains the prophecies of an Israelite named Joel, son of Pethuel. The book does not tell when Joel prophesied.<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### What is the meaning of the locust attacks in Joel 1 and 2, and of the drought in Joel 2?<br><br>Locust attacks occurred often in the ancient Near East. Certain kinds of grasshoppers would come in countless numbers. There would be so many that they would darken the sky like a black cloud that blocked the sunlight. They often came after a long period of no rain. They came down on whatever crops were surviving in the fields and stripped them bare of their leaves. The locusts could not be stopped and caused terrible damage. For this reason, locust attacks served as a powerful image of military attacks in the Old Testament. In Chapters 1 and 2, Joel described locust attacks using military terms. He may have been speaking of enemy invaders coming and destroying the land its people.<br><br>There are various names for locusts in the original language of the Old Testament. It is uncertain whether these refer to different kinds of locusts or to the same kind of locust in different stages of growth. For this reason, versions of the Bible differ in how they translate these terms.<br><br>Joel also described a drought in Chapter 2. It might have been a real lack of rain. Or Joel may have been speaking of either enemy invaders or Yahweh himself coming to punish his people and the other nations.<br><br>Translators should simply translate the locust attacks and drought as Joel described them and not worry about the various possible meanings.<br><br>### What did Joel prophesy about the future for God’s people?<br><br>Joel prophesied that God will defeat Israel’s enemies, rebuild the city of Jerusalem, and rule as victorious king over the whole world. At the same time, God will give his Spirit to all his people, and they will receive messages from him in dreams and visions. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/holyspirit]])<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### How should one translate the poetry of the Book of Joel?<br><br>All of the text in the Book of Joel is poetry. The ULT presents it in this way. The UST, however, presents the text as prose. Translators may choose to use prose in their versions. Translators who want to translate the book as poetry should read about poetry and parallelism. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-poetry]] and [[rc:/
JOL 1 intro q2ev 0 # Joel 1 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>Joel is written in poetic form and with striking imagery. The ULT is written in poetic form, but the UST has been transferred to a prose form. If possible, use the poetic form to communicate the meaning of this book in order to stay closer to the original meaning of the text.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Locusts<br>This book starts very dramatically with the imagery of the locusts and the devastation they produce. There are five different kinds of locusts that appear to come and they progressively destroy the vegetation including the crops, vineyards and even the trees of the whole land of Israel.<br><br>It was common for farmers in the ancient Near East to experience large locust swarms that would come and eat all crops in their fields. Joel might be describing such attacks in this first chapter. Because Joel uses military terms and images to describe these locust attacks, his descriptions might represent enemy invaders who would come and destroy the land its people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br>Translators should translate simply, presenting the scenes of locusts as Joel describes them, and not worry about the various possible meanings.<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Rhetorical Questions<br>The author also uses rhetorical questions that communicate surprise and alarm. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 1 1 qry6 figs-parallelism 0 General Information: God speaks through Joel to the people of Israel using poetry. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JOL 1 1 er8g figs-idiom דְּבַר־יְהוָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָיָ֔ה אֶל־יוֹאֵ֖ל 1 the word of Yahweh that came to Joel This idiom is used to announce that God gave messages to Joel. Alternate translation: “the message Yahweh gave to Joel” or “the message Yahweh spoke to Joel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JOL 1 1 qwp8 יְהוָה֙ 1 Yahweh This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
JOL 1 2 t74n figs-rquestion הֶהָ֤יְתָה זֹּאת֙ בִּֽימֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִ֖ם בִּימֵ֥י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶֽם 1 Has anything like this happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Joel is preparing the elders to listen to what he has to say. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Nothing like this has ever happened before either to you or to your ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 1 3 vge5 figs-ellipsis וּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם לְד֥וֹר אַחֵֽר 1 their children the next generation You may need to fill in the words that have been left out. Alternate translation: “let their children tell the generation after them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
JOL 1 4 m68u translate-unknown הָֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה 1 the swarming locust large groups of insects like grasshoppers that fly together and eat large areas of food crops (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
JOL 1 4 ny2z הַגָּזָם֙…הָֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה…הַיָּ֑לֶק…הֶחָסִֽיל 1 swarming locust … great locust … grasshopper … caterpillar These are, respectively, an adult locust that can fly, a locust too large to fly easily, a locust with wings too young to fly, and a newborn locust that has not yet developed wings. Use names that would be understood in your language.
JOL 1 5 l1nq figs-parallelism שִׁכּוֹרִים֙ וּבְכ֔וּ וְהֵילִ֖לוּ כָּל־שֹׁ֣תֵי יָ֑יִן 1 you drunkards, and weep! Wail, all you drinkers of wine If your language has only one word for “weep” and “wail,” you can combine the lines: “you people who love wine should cry out in sorrow” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JOL 1 6 jn1q שִׁנָּיו֙ שִׁנֵּ֣י 1 His teeth … he has the teeth The locusts are like a nation which is like one person. You can refer to the nation as “it,” or to the locusts as “they,” or to the invader as one person.
JOL 1 6 mpz6 figs-parallelism שִׁנָּיו֙ שִׁנֵּ֣י אַרְיֵ֔ה וּֽמְתַלְּע֥וֹת לָבִ֖יא לֽוֹ 1 His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the teeth of a lioness. These two lines share similar meanings. The reference to the locusts’ teeth being as sharp as lions’ teeth emphasize how fierce they are as they eat all of the crops of the land. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 1 7 sxr3 שָׂ֤ם…חָשֹׂ֤ף חֲשָׂפָהּ֙ 1 He has made … He has stripped The locusts are like a nation which is like one person. You can refer to the nation as “it,” or to the locusts as “they,” or to the invader as one person.
JOL 1 7 hi96 גַּפְנִי֙…וּתְאֵנָתִ֖י 1 my vineyard … my fig tree Yahweh’s vineyard and fig tree
JOL 1 7 k8l9 לְשַׁמָּ֔ה 1 desolate empty and without life
JOL 1 10 zn6h figs-metaphor אָבְלָ֖ה אֲדָמָ֑ה 1 the ground is mourning Here the land is spoken of as if it were a person. These words could also be seen as a metonym for the people who are mourning or even as hyperbole, that the famine is so bad that even things that are not alive are mourning. Alternate translation: “the farmers are mourning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
JOL 1 10 j565 figs-activepassive שֻׁדַּ֣ד דָּגָ֔ן 1 the grain has been destroyed This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the locusts have destroyed all of the grain” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL 1 11 eeq1 translate-unknown שְׂעֹרָ֑ה 1 barley a type of grass, like wheat, whose seeds can be used to make bread (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
JOL 1 12 pk4b הוֹבִ֔ישָׁה 1 withered dried up and died
JOL 1 12 r11a translate-unknown וְהַתְּאֵנָ֖ה…מּ֞וֹן…וְתַפּ֗וּחַ 1 fig … pomegranate … apple different types of fruit (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
JOL 1 15 u6hs figs-abstractnouns וּכְשֹׁ֖ד מִשַׁדַּ֥י יָבֽוֹא 1 With it will come destruction from the Almighty If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **destruction**, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “destroy.” You may need to make explicit what it is the Almighty will destroy. Alternate translation: “On that day the Almighty will destroy his enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JOL 1 16 yv6d figs-ellipsis הֲל֛וֹא נֶ֥גֶד עֵינֵ֖ינוּ אֹ֣כֶל נִכְרָ֑ת מִבֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ שִׂמְחָ֥ה וָגִֽיל 1 Has not food been cut off from before our eyes, and joy and gladness from the house of our God? It is certain that destruction will come from the Almighty because these things have already happened. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “We know this is true because we have already seen the Almighty cut off our supply of food, and he has cut off joy and gladness from the house of our God.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL 1 16 r8wr figs-synecdoche נֶ֥גֶד עֵינֵ֖ינוּ 1 from before our eyes “from us.” This refers to all of the nation of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JOL 1 16 f1eb figs-ellipsis מִבֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ שִׂמְחָ֥ה וָגִֽיל 1 joy and gladness from the house of our God You may need to fill in the ellipsis. Alternate translation: “joy and gladness have been cut off from the house of our God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
JOL 1 16 ppt5 figs-doublet שִׂמְחָ֥ה וָגִֽיל 1 joy and gladness These two words mean basically the same thing. Together they emphasize that there is no kind of joyful activity happening at the temple. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
JOL 1 17 y7su מֶגְרְפֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם 1 clods lumps of dirt
JOL 1 18 ul6j נֶּאֶנְחָ֣ה 1 groan make a deep sound because of pain
JOL 2 intro j2gp 0 # Joel 2 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter continues in the poetic form with striking imagery of armies and soldiers.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Locusts<br><br>This book starts very dramatically with the imagery of the locusts and the devastation they produce. There are five different kinds of locusts that appear to come and progressively destroy the vegetation including the crops, vineyards and even the trees of Israel.<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>This chapter uses simile to a great extent as Joel tries to describe this army. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])<br><br>### Metaphor<br>The drought, or severe lack of rain, Joel describes is probably a real drought. It might also be a picture of either enemy invaders or of Yahweh himself coming to punish his people and the other nations. Translators should translate simply, presenting the scenes of locusts and drought as Joel describes them, and not worry about the various possible meanings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 2 1 m7i5 תִּקְע֨וּ שׁוֹפָ֜ר…וְהָרִ֨יעוּ֙ 1 Blow the trumpet … sound an alarm Joel is emphasizing the importance of calling Israel together in preparation for the destruction that is coming.
JOL 2 2 qmb9 figs-doublet י֧וֹם חֹ֣שֶׁךְ וַאֲפֵלָ֗ה 1 day of darkness and gloom The words “darkness” and “gloom” share similar meanings and emphasize that the darkness will be very dark. Both words refer to a time of disaster or divine judgment. Alternate translation: “day that is full of darkness” or “day of terrible judgment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 2 st7t וַאֲפֵלָ֗ה 1 gloom total or partial darkness
JOL 2 2 pcr6 figs-doublet י֤וֹם עָנָן֙ וַעֲרָפֶ֔ל 1 day of clouds and thick darkness This phrase means the same thing as, and intensifies the idea of the previous phrase. Like that phrase, both “clouds” and “thick darkness” refer to divine judgment. Alternate translation: “day full of dark storm clouds” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 2 h3d1 figs-simile כְּשַׁ֖חַר פָּרֻ֣שׂ עַל־הֶֽהָרִ֑ים עַ֚ם רַ֣ב וְעָצ֔וּם 1 Like the dawn that spreads on the mountains, a large and mighty army is approaching When direct sunlight shines on a mountain at dawn, it begins at the top and spreads to the bottom. When an army comes over a mountain range, it comes over the top and spreads out as it comes down. Alternate translation: “A large, mighty army comes over the mountains into the land. They spread over the land like the light from the rising sun” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
JOL 2 2 ekb8 figs-metaphor עַ֚ם רַ֣ב וְעָצ֔וּם 1 a large and mighty army The words “large” and “mighty” share similar meanings here and emphasize that the army will be very strong. The word **army** could possibly be: (1) a metaphor for a swarm of locusts or (2) referring to a human army. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
JOL 2 3 fly5 figs-metaphor לְפָנָיו֙ אָ֣כְלָה אֵ֔שׁ 1 A fire is consuming everything in front of it A fire destroys everything as it moves, and the “army” ([Joel 2:2](../02/02.md)), whether of humans or of locusts, destroys everything as it moves. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 2 3 z5iu figs-metaphor וְאַחֲרָ֖יו תְּלַהֵ֣ט לֶֽהָבָ֑ה 1 behind it a flame is burning After a wall of flame goes through dry land and burns the dryest and smallest fuel, there will still be flames as the larger and less dry fuel burns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 2 3 yne4 figs-simile כְּגַן־עֵ֨דֶן הָאָ֜רֶץ 1 land is like the garden of Eden The garden of Eden was a beautiful place, and the land was beautiful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
JOL 2 4 ztn5 figs-simile כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה סוּסִ֖ים מַרְאֵ֑הוּ 1 The army’s appearance is like horses The head of a locust looks like a small horse head. The army is fast, and horses are fast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
JOL 2 4 fdt4 translate-unknown סוּסִ֖ים 1 horses A large, strong, fast animal with four legs. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
JOL 2 4 myc3 figs-simile וּכְפָרָשִׁ֖ים כֵּ֥ן יְרוּצֽוּן 1 they run like horsemen Men riding horses move quickly, and the army moves quickly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
JOL 2 5 m6fl יְרַקֵּד֔וּן 1 jump A horse jumps or leaps as it runs quickly.
JOL 2 5 n75f figs-simile כְּק֣וֹל מַרְכָּב֗וֹת…כְּקוֹל֙ לַ֣הַב אֵ֔שׁ…כְּעַ֣ם עָצ֔וּם עֱר֖וּךְ מִלְחָמָֽה 1 a noise like that of chariots … like the noise of fiery flames … like a mighty army ready for battle These sounds would have been very frightening to Joel’s readers. If your readers will not understand what these sound like, you might be able to use a more general phrase: “a noise that frightens everyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
JOL 2 7 e5ge figs-personification כְּגִבּוֹרִ֣ים יְרֻצ֔וּן כְּאַנְשֵׁ֥י מִלְחָמָ֖ה יַעֲל֣וּ חוֹמָ֑ה 1 They run like mighty warriors … climb the walls like soldiers The army of locusts acts as real soldiers do. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
JOL 2 7 d4kv חוֹמָ֑ה 1 walls walls around the cities
JOL 2 8 yt67 וּבְעַ֥ד הַשֶּׁ֛לַח יִפֹּ֖לוּ 1 they break through the defenses they overcome the soldiers defending the city.
JOL 2 10 iu1h figs-personification לְפָנָיו֙ רָ֣גְזָה אֶ֔רֶץ רָעֲשׁ֖וּ שָׁמָ֑יִם 1 The earth shakes in front of them, the heavens tremble Joel speaks of the earth and heavens as if they were people who are shaking with fear. This can be translated as either a hyperbole, that the army is so frightening that even things that are not alive are afraid, or as metonymy, that the earth and the heavens are metonyms for the beings who live there. Alternate translation: “Everyone on earth and in the heavens is very afraid” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
JOL 2 10 lm84 figs-hyperbole שֶׁ֤מֶשׁ וְיָרֵ֨חַ֙ קָדָ֔רוּ וְכוֹכָבִ֖ים אָסְפ֥וּ נָגְהָֽ 1 the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars stop shining This exaggeration claims that there are so many locusts that people cannot see the sun, moon, or stars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
JOL 2 11 mi1t וַֽיהוָ֗ה נָתַ֤ן קוֹלוֹ֙ 1 Yahweh raises his voice “Yahweh speaks loudly” to give commands.
JOL 2 11 tzv4 figs-hendiadys גָד֧וֹל…וְנוֹרָ֥א מְאֹ֖ד 1 great and very terrible In this phrase both descriptions mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: “greatly terrible” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys]])
JOL 2 11 vht4 figs-rquestion וּמִ֥י יְכִילֶֽנּוּ 1 Who can survive it? If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “No one will be strong enough to survive Yahweh’s judgment.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 2 12 d1i9 figs-metonymy שֻׁ֥בוּ עָדַ֖י בְּכָל־לְבַבְכֶ֑ם 1 Return to me with all your heart The heart is a metonym for what the person thinks and loves. Alternate translation: “Turn away from your sins and be totally devoted to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 13 d1sf figs-metonymy וְקִרְע֤וּ לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַל־בִּגְדֵיכֶ֔ם 1 Tear your heart and not only your garments The heart is a metonym for what the person thinks and loves. Tearing one’s clothes is an outward act of shame or repentance. Alternate translation: “Change your way of thinking; do not just tear your garments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 13 wfp5 figs-abstractnouns וְרַב־חֶ֔סֶד 1 abundant in covenant faithfulness If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **faithfulness**, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “faithful” or “faithfully.” Alternate translation: “always faithful to his covenant” or “always loves faithfully” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
JOL 2 14 a2av figs-rquestion יָשׁ֣וּב וְנִחָ֑ם וְהִשְׁאִ֤יר אַֽחֲרָיו֙ בְּרָכָ֔ה מִנְחָ֣ה וָנֶ֔סֶךְ לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם 1 Will he perhaps turn … God? If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Perhaps Yahweh will turn from his anger … God.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 2 14 xys3 וְהִשְׁאִ֤יר אַֽחֲרָיו֙ בְּרָכָ֔ה מִנְחָ֣ה וָנֶ֔סֶךְ 1 leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering “leave behind him a blessing—that is, a grain offering and a drink offering.” The blessing is that plenty of grain and grapes will ripen, and so the people will be able to offer grain and drink offerings.
JOL 2 16 jzj1 מֵחֻפָּתָֽהּ 1 bridal chambers rooms, usually in the parents’ houses, where brides would wait for their wedding ceremonies
JOL 2 17 fek9 וְאַל־תִּתֵּ֨ן נַחֲלָתְךָ֤ לְחֶרְפָּה֙ 1 do not make your inheritance into an object of scorn Alternate translation: “do not allow your inheritance to become people whom the other nations regard as worthless”
JOL 2 17 kqr6 figs-metaphor נַחֲלָתְךָ֤ 1 your inheritance Here the people of Israel are spoken of as God’s inheritance. Alternate translation: “your special people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 2 17 ey9s figs-rquestion לָ֚מָּה יֹאמְר֣וּ בָֽעַמִּ֔ים אַיֵּ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם 1 Why should they say among the nations, ‘Where is their God?’ If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Other nations should not be able to say, ‘Their God does not help them.’” or “Other nations should not be able to say that the God of Israel has abandoned his people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 2 20 khh7 הַצְּפוֹנִ֞י…הַקַּדְמֹנִ֔י…הָאַֽחֲר֑וֹן 1 northern … eastern … western These directions are from the perspective of people living in the land of Israel.
JOL 2 20 v9xy הַיָּם֙ הַקַּדְמֹנִ֔י 1 the eastern sea the Dead Sea
JOL 2 20 ue9y הַיָּ֣ם הָאַֽחֲר֑וֹן 1 the western sea the Mediterranean Sea
JOL 2 20 k6n8 הִגְדִּ֖יל לַעֲשֽׂוֹת 1 he has done great things That is, Yahweh has done great things. Another possible meaning is that the writer speaks of the invading army, “it has done very bad things.”
JOL 2 21 g3z3 figs-apostrophe אַל־תִּֽירְאִ֖י אֲדָמָ֑ה 1 Do not fear, land Joel speaks to the people of the land as if he were speaking to the land itself. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid, you people of the land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]])
JOL 2 22 n9lm figs-apostrophe אַל־תִּֽירְאוּ֙ בַּהֲמ֣וֹת שָׂדַ֔י 1 Do not fear, beasts of the field Joel speaks to people who own livestock as if he were speaking to the animals themselves. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid, you people who own livestock” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-apostrophe]])
JOL 2 22 t5ty figs-metonymy דָשְׁא֖וּ נְא֣וֹת מִדְבָּ֑ר 1 the pastures of the wilderness will sprout The pastures are a metonym for the plants that grow in the pastures. Alternate translation: “plants good for food will sprout in the pastures in the wilderness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 23 xlq6 נָתַ֥ן…וַיּ֣וֹרֶד לָכֶ֗ם גֶּ֛שֶׁם 1 he will … bring down showers for you Alternate translation: “he will … cause much rain to fall so that you will live well”
JOL 2 23 vnx8 מוֹרֶ֥ה וּמַלְק֖וֹשׁ 1 autumn rain and the spring rain the first rains of the rainy season in early December and the last rains in April and May
JOL 2 25 k6bd אֶת־הַשָּׁנִ֔ים אֲשֶׁר֙ אָכַ֣ל הָֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה 1 the years of crops that the swarming locust has eaten Alternate translation: “the crops that you took care of for years and that the swarming locusts have eaten”
JOL 2 25 e81a הָֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה הַיֶּ֖לֶק וְהֶחָסִ֣יל וְהַגָּזָ֑ם 1 swarming locust … the great locust, the devouring locust, and the destroying locust These are, respectively, an adult locust that can fly, a locust too large to fly easily, a locust with wings too young to fly, and a newborn locust that has not yet developed wings. Use names that would be understood in your language. See how you translated this in [Joel 1:4](../01/04.md).
JOL 2 26 jy17 figs-metonymy וְהִלַּלְתֶּ֗ם אֶת־שֵׁ֤ם יְהוָה֙ 1 praise the name of Yahweh The name is a metonym for the person, specifically his reputation. Alternate translation: “praise Yahweh” or “praise Yahweh because everyone knows he is good” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 26 x2qr figs-123person שֵׁ֤ם יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה עִמָּכֶ֖ם לְהַפְלִ֑יא 1 the name of Yahweh … who has done wonders Yahweh speaks of himself by name to show that he will certainly do as he has said. Alternate translation: “my name … because I have done wonders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
JOL 2 28 mc8b figs-metaphor אֶשְׁפּ֤וֹךְ אֶת־רוּחִי֙ עַל־כָּל־בָּשָׂ֔ר 1 I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh Yahweh speaks of the Spirit as if he were speaking of water. AT” “I will give my Spirit generously to all flesh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 2 28 ny8x figs-synecdoche כָּל־בָּשָׂ֔ר 1 all flesh Here “flesh” represents people. Alternate translation: “all people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JOL 2 30 fxj8 figs-metonymy דָּ֣ם וָאֵ֔שׁ וְתִֽימֲר֖וֹת עָשָֽׁן 1 blood, fire, and pillars of smoke “blood” is symbolizing the death of people. Alternate translation: “death, fire and pillars of smoke” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 2 31 fc5h figs-metonymy וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ לְדָ֑ם 1 the moon into blood Here the word “blood” refers to the color red. You can supply the verb for this phrase. Alternate translation: “the moon will turn red like blood” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
JOL 2 32 t1vg figs-metonymy כֹּ֧ל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָ֛א בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה יִמָּלֵ֑ט 1 everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved The name is a metonym for the person. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will save everyone who calls on his name” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL 2 32 k5zj figs-doublet בְּהַר־צִיּ֨וֹן וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם 1 on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem These refer to the same place. Alternate translation: “on Mount Zion in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
JOL 2 32 j194 figs-ellipsis וּבַ֨שְּׂרִידִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה קֹרֵֽא 1 among the survivors, those whom Yahweh calls The phrase “there will be” is understood from earlier in the sentence. It can be repeated here. Alternate translation: “among the survivors there will be those whom Yahweh calls” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
JOL 2 32 e73u 1 survivors people who live through a terrible event like a war or a disaster
JOL 3 intro jcn7 0 # Joel 3 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>There is a change in focus in this chapter from the people of Israel to her enemies. The events of this chapters also contain many prophecies about the events of the end of this world. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/prophet]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### Israel<br>The mention of Israel in this chapter is probably a reference to the people of Judah and not the northern kingdom of Israel. It is also possible this is a reference to the people of Israel as a whole.
JOL 3 1 zy3s figs-doublet בַּיָּמִ֥ים הָהֵ֖מָּה וּבָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֑יא 1 in those days and at that time The phrase “at that time” means the same thing as and intensifies the phrase “in those days.” Alternate translation: “in those very days” or “at that very time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
JOL 3 1 c3ys אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָשִׁ֛יב אֶת־שְׁב֥וּת יְהוּדָ֖ה וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם 1 when I return the exiles of Judah and Jerusalem Alternate translation: “When I send the exiles back to Judah and Jerusalem”
JOL 3 2 xs2u עֵ֖מֶק יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט 1 Valley of Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat, whose name means “Yahweh judges,” was king of Judah before Joel lived. There is no known place with this name. It would be best to translate this as the name of a valley that people named after the man Jehoshaphat.
JOL 3 2 idt3 figs-doublet עַמִּ֨י וְנַחֲלָתִ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ 1 my people and my inheritance Israel These two phrases emphasize how Yahweh views Israel as his own precious people. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel, who are my inheritance” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
JOL 3 3 z4y6 figs-explicit וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ הַיֶּ֨לֶד֙ בַּזּוֹנָ֔ה וְהַיַּלְדָּ֛ה מָכְר֥וּ בַיַּ֖יִן וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ 1 traded a boy for a prostitute, and sold a girl for wine so they could drink These are examples of the kinds of things they did and do not indicate what they did to two particular children. Alternate translation: “and did things like trading a boy for a prostitute and selling a girl for wine, so they could drink” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JOL 3 4 qj6v figs-rquestion וְ֠גַם מָה־אַתֶּ֥ם לִי֙ צֹ֣ר וְצִיד֔וֹן וְכֹ֖ל גְּלִיל֣וֹת פְּלָ֑שֶׁת 1 why are you angry at me … Philistia? Yahweh is encouraging the people of Judah, who can hear him, by scolding the people of Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia, who cannot hear him, as if they can. The names of the towns are metonyms for the people who live in the towns. These words can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “you have no right to be angry at me … Philistia.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 3 4 xaa9 figs-rquestion הַגְּמ֗וּל אַתֶּם֙ מְשַׁלְּמִ֣ים עָלָ֔י 1 Will you repay me? “Will you get revenge on me?” God uses this question to make the people think about what they are doing. Alternate translation: “You think you can get revenge on me, but you cannot.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
JOL 3 4 ns7f figs-synecdoche קַ֣ל מְהֵרָ֔ה אָשִׁ֥יב גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם בְּרֹאשְׁכֶֽם 1 I will immediately return your retribution on your own head Here the word “head” refers to the person. Yahweh will make them suffer the pain they wanted him to suffer. Alternate translation: “I will cause you to suffer the retribution that you tried to put on me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
JOL 3 7 dc6d figs-explicit מִן־הַ֨מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁר־מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם אֹתָ֖ם שָׁ֑מָּה 1 out of the place where you sold them The people of Israel will leave the places where they were slaves and come back to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JOL 3 8 pww6 figs-metonymy וּמָכַרְתִּ֞י אֶת־בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם וְאֶת־בְּנֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם בְּיַד֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 I will sell your sons and your daughters, by the hand of the people of Judah The hand can be a metonym for the power the hand exercises or a synecdoche for the person. Alternate translation: “I will have the people of Judah sell your sons and your daughters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JOL 3 10 t93c figs-parallelism כֹּ֤תּוּ אִתֵּיכֶם֙ לַֽחֲרָב֔וֹת וּמַזְמְרֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם לִרְמָחִ֑ים 1 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning knives into spears These two phrases share similar meanings. Both of them instruct the people to turn their farming tools into weapons. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JOL 3 10 ze4m אִתֵּיכֶם֙ 1 plowshares tools that are used to break up the soil in order to plant crops
JOL 3 10 epv7 וּמַזְמְרֹֽתֵיכֶ֖ם 1 pruning knives knives that are used to cut off small branches
JOL 3 11 rp2a figs-irony ע֣וּשׁוּ וָבֹ֧אוּ כָֽל־הַגּוֹיִ֛ם מִסָּבִ֖יב וְנִקְבָּ֑צוּ שָׁ֕מָּה 1 Hurry and come … together there These words continue the ironic call to battle that begins in [Joel 3:9](../03/09.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
JOL 3 11 p5mc figs-explicit וְנִקְבָּ֑צוּ 1 gather yourselves together The purpose of the gathering is for battle. This can be stated explicitly. Alternate translation: “gather yourselves together for battle” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
JOL 3 11 e3ig הַֽנְחַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה גִּבּוֹרֶֽיךָ 1 Yahweh, bring down your mighty warriors This could mean: (1) Joel is telling the people of Judah that this is what they are to “proclaim among the nations” ([Joel 3:9](../03/09.md)) or (2) Joel interrupts the words of Yahweh and prays a short prayer.
JOL 3 12 ul2y הַגּוֹיִ֔ם…אֶת־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם מִסָּבִֽיב 1 Let the nations wake themselves … all the surrounding nations The words “the nations” and “the surrounding nations” refer to the same nations, those that surround Judah. Yahweh will judge them in the Valley of Jehoshaphat for what they have done to Jerusalem.
JOL 3 12 pq55 עֵ֖מֶק יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט 1 Valley of Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat, whose name means “Yahweh judges,” was king of Judah before Joel lived. There is no known place with this name. It would be best to translate this as the name of a valley that people named after the man Jehoshaphat. See how you translated this in [Joel 3:2](../03/02.md).
JOL 3 13 hq7f figs-metaphor שִׁלְח֣וּ מַגָּ֔ל…מָ֣לְאָה גַּ֔ת 1 Put in the sickle … the winepress is full Possible meanings are that Yahweh speaks of completely destroying the nations as if: (1) he were harvesting all the grapes and all the grain or (2) he were harvesting quickly, while the grain and grapes are ripe. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 13 iw8d figs-metaphor שִׁלְח֣וּ מַגָּ֔ל כִּ֥י בָשַׁ֖ל קָצִ֑יר 1 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe Yahweh speaks of making war against the nations as if he were using a sharp tool to harvest a field of ripe crops. If your readers will not understand the word “sickle,” you may use the word for any sharp tool that your people use for harvesting. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 13 i8r2 figs-metaphor שִׁלְח֣וּ מַגָּ֔ל 1 Put in the sickle “Swing the sickle to cut the grain.” This is a metaphor for a soldier using a sword to kill people, but it is best to use the word for a sharp tool used in harvesting. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 13 zx33 מַגָּ֔ל 1 sickle a long curved knife that people use for cutting grain
JOL 3 13 tz4a figs-metaphor בֹּ֤אֽוּ רְדוּ֙ כִּֽי־מָ֣לְאָה גַּ֔ת 1 Come, crush the grapes, for the winepress is full Yahweh speaks of the nations as if they were many grapes in a winepress, ready for people to crush them by stepping on them. Alternate translation: “Come, completely destroy the nations, for they are many, and they are helpless to resist you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 13 haw5 figs-metaphor הֵשִׁ֨יקוּ֙ הַיְקָבִ֔ים כִּ֥י רַבָּ֖ה רָעָתָֽם 1 The vats overflow, for their wickedness is enormous Yahweh speaks of the nations’ wickedness as if it were the juice that flows from the winepress into storage containers, and more juice flows into the vats than they can contain. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 14 y2ge הֲמוֹנִ֣ים הֲמוֹנִ֔ים 1 a tumult, a tumult A tumult is noise caused by a large crowd. This is repeated to show that it will be very noisy from all the people.
JOL 3 14 r3ir בְּעֵ֖מֶק הֶֽחָר֑וּץ…בְּעֵ֖מֶק הֶחָרֽוּץ 1 Valley of Judgment … Valley of Judgment This phrase is repeated to show that the judgment will certainly happen.
JOL 3 14 fq2i figs-abstractnouns בְּעֵ֖מֶק הֶֽחָר֑וּץ 1 Valley of Judgment There is no known place with this name. If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word **judgment**, you could express the same idea with a verbal form such as “judge.” Alternate translation: “Valley Where Yahweh Judges” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
JOL 3 16 fj29 1 General Information: Yahweh begins speaking in verse 17.
JOL 3 16 fe1r figs-parallelism וַיהוָ֞ה מִצִּיּ֣וֹן יִשְׁאָ֗ג וּמִירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ יִתֵּ֣ן קוֹל֔וֹ 1 Yahweh will roar from Zion, and raise his voice from Jerusalem Both phrases mean Yahweh will shout with a loud, clear and powerful voice from Jerusalem. If your language only has one word for speaking very loudly, this can be used as one phrase. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will shout from Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JOL 3 16 yr8u figs-metaphor וַיהוָ֞ה…יִשְׁאָ֗ג 1 Yahweh will roar This could mean: (1) “Yahweh will roar like a lion” or (2) “Yahweh will roar like thunder.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 16 lf34 figs-hyperbole וְרָעֲשׁ֖וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם וָאָ֑רֶץ 1 The heavens and earth will shake Joel speaks of the heavens and earth as if they were people who are shaking with fear. This can be translated as either a hyperbole, that Yahweh’s roar is so frightening that even things that are not alive are afraid, or as metonymy, that the heavens and earth are metonyms for the beings who live there. Alternate translation: “Everyone in the heavens and on the earth is very afraid” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 3 16 vd5q וְרָעֲשׁ֖וּ 1 will shake This word is the past form of the word translated “tremble” in [Joel 2:10](../02/10.md).
JOL 3 16 lr5v figs-metaphor וַֽיהוָה֙ מַֽחֲסֶ֣ה לְעַמּ֔וֹ וּמָע֖וֹז לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל 1 Yahweh will be a shelter for his people, and a fortress for the people of Israel Both of these phrases mean Yahweh will protect his people. A fortress is a strong shelter used to protect people during war. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will be a strong fortress for his people, the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JOL 3 18 y22f וְהָיָה֩ בַיּ֨וֹם הַה֜וּא…הֶהָרִ֣ים 1 It will come about on that day that the mountains “This is what will happen on that day: the mountains” Translate “It will come about” as in [Joel 2:28](../02/28.md).
JOL 3 18 m6v9 figs-hyperbole יִטְּפ֧וּ הֶהָרִ֣ים עָסִ֗יס 1 the mountains will drip with sweet wine “sweet wine will drip from the mountains.” This is an exaggeration to show that the land is very fertile. Alternate translation: “On the mountains there will be vineyards that produce plenty of sweet wine” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
JOL 3 18 yj7w figs-metaphor וְהַגְּבָעוֹת֙ תֵּלַ֣כְנָה חָלָ֔ב 1 the hills will flow with milk “milk will flow from the hills.” The land being very fertile is spoken of as if the hills would flow with milk. Alternate translation: “on the hills your cattle and goats will produce plenty of milk” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL 3 18 l5yu וְכָל־אֲפִיקֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה יֵ֣לְכוּ מָ֑יִם 1 all the brooks of Judah will flow with water Alternate translation: “water will flow through all the brooks of Judah”
JOL 3 18 k6qq וְהִשְׁקָ֖ה אֶת־נַ֥חַל הַשִּׁטִּֽים 1 water the Valley of Shittim Alternate translation: “will send water to the Valley of Shittim”
JOL 3 18 f69l translate-names הַשִּׁטִּֽים 1 Shittim This is the name of a place on the east side of the Jordan River. It means “Acacia Trees.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
JOL 3 19 la92 מִצְרַ֨יִם֙ לִשְׁמָמָ֣ה תִֽהְיֶ֔ה 1 Egypt will become an abandoned devastation Alternate translation: “Everyone will leave Egypt and no one will live there”
JOL 3 19 au36 וֶאֱד֕וֹם לְמִדְבַּ֥ר שְׁמָמָ֖ה תִּֽהְיֶ֑ה 1 Edom will become an abandoned wilderness Alternate translation: “Everyone will leave Edom and it will look like no people have ever lived there”
JOL 3 19 c2r8 מֵֽחֲמַס֙ בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה 1 because of the violence done to the people of Judah Alternate translation: “because of the violent things Egypt and Edom did to the people of Judah”
JOL 3 19 t6ay figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁר־שָׁפְכ֥וּ דָם־נָקִ֖יא בְּאַרְצָֽם 1 because they shed innocent blood in their land The word “they” refers to “Edom” and “Egypt” and is a metonym for the people of Egypt and Edom. The words “innocent blood” are a metonym for innocent people whom they have killed. Alternate translation: “because the people of Egypt and the people of Edom killed innocent people in the land of the people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
JOL 3 20 gi4z figs-activepassive וִיהוּדָ֖ה לְעוֹלָ֣ם תֵּשֵׁ֑ב 1 Judah will be inhabited forever If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will live in Judah forever” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL 3 20 f72t figs-activepassive וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם לְד֥וֹר וָדֽוֹר 1 Jerusalem will be inhabited from generation to generation If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “generation after generation, people will live in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL 3 21 dj9s figs-metonymy וְנִקֵּ֖יתִי דָּמָ֣ם לֹֽא־נִקֵּ֑יתִי 1 I will avenge their blood that I have not yet avenged Blood is a metonym for death. Alternate translation: “I will punish the enemies who killed the people of Israel and still have not been punished” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
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