Book	Chapter	Verse	ID	SupportReference	OrigQuote	Occurrence	GLQuote	OccurrenceNote
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://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])<br>
JOL	1	intro	q2ev			0		# Joel 01 General Notes<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]])<br>
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		0	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			0	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	1	m5wr	translate-names		0	Pethuel	Joel’s father (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
JOL	1	2	t74n	figs-rquestion		0	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. This can be translated 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		0	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		0	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			0	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	zk2a			0	General Information:	God warns the people of Israel about the coming locust army.
JOL	1	5	l1nq	figs-parallelism		0	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	qm8j	figs-metaphor		0	a nation	The locust swarm is like an invading army. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
JOL	1	6	jn1q			0	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		0	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	6	aj1z			0	my land	Yahweh’s land
JOL	1	7	sxr3			0	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			0	my vineyard…my fig tree	Yahweh’s vineyard and fig tree
JOL	1	7	k8l9			0	desolate	empty and without life
JOL	1	8	iwe3			0	General Information:	God continues speaking to the people of Israel.
JOL	1	10	zn6h	figs-metaphor		0	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		0	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	mx5v			0	General Information:	God continues speaking to the people of Israel.
JOL	1	11	eeq1	translate-unknown		0	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			0	withered	dried up and died
JOL	1	12	r11a	translate-unknown		0	fig…pomegranate…apple	different types of fruit (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
JOL	1	13	uv6d			0	General Information:	God speaks to the priests in Israel
JOL	1	13	w9cv			0	the grain offering and the drink offering	regular offerings in the temple
JOL	1	14	z8ne			0	the house of Yahweh your God	the temple in Jerusalem
JOL	1	15	q895			0	General Information:	This is what God is telling the priests to say.
JOL	1	15	u6hs	figs-abstractnouns		0	With it will come destruction from the Almighty	The abstract noun “destruction” can be translated using the verb “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		0	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		0	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		0	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		0	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			0	clods	lumps of dirt
JOL	1	18	w5nw			0	General Information:	God continues to tell the priests how they should pray for Israel.
JOL	1	18	ul6j			0	groan	make a deep sound because of pain
JOL	1	20	n9lf			0	brooks	small streams
JOL	2	intro	j2gp			0		# Joel 02 General Notes<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]])<br>
JOL	2	1	t9j9	figs-parallelism		0	General Information:	Joel continues poetry that began in the previous chapter. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
JOL	2	1	m7i5			0	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		0	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			0	gloom	total or partial darkness
JOL	2	2	pcr6	figs-doublet		0	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		0	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		0	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	xcv4			0	General Information:	Joel’s description of the coming army continues.
JOL	2	3	fly5	figs-metaphor		0	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		0	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		0	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	ex3a			0	General Information:	The description continues with the noises of an army of horses.
JOL	2	4	ztn5	figs-simile		0	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		0	horses	A large, strong, fast animal with four legs. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
JOL	2	4	myc3	figs-simile		0	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			0	jump	A horse jumps or leaps as it runs quickly.
JOL	2	5	n75f	figs-simile		0	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	6	bh52			0	General Information:	Joel continues to describe the locust army of Yahweh.
JOL	2	7	e5ge	figs-personification		0	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			0	walls	walls around the cities
JOL	2	8	u5ew			0	General Information:	The description of the locust army of Yahweh continues.
JOL	2	8	yt67			0	they break through the defenses	they overcome the soldiers defending the city.
JOL	2	10	iu1h	figs-personification		0	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		0	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			0	Yahweh raises his voice	“Yahweh speaks loudly” to give commands.
JOL	2	11	tzv4	figs-hendiadys		0	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		0	Who can survive it?	This can be translated 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		0	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		0	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		0	abundant in covenant faithfulness	The abstract noun “faithfulness” can be stated 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	13	e3gw			0	turn from	stop
JOL	2	14	a2av	figs-rquestion		0	Will he perhaps turn…God?	This can be translated 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			0	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			0	bridal chambers	rooms, usually in the parents’ houses, where brides would wait for their wedding ceremonies
JOL	2	17	fek9			0	do not make your inheritance into an object of scorn	“do not allow your inheritance to become people whom the other nations regard as worthless”
JOL	2	17	kqr6	figs-metaphor		0	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		0	Why should they say among the nations, ‘Where is their God?’	This can be translated 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	18	xeg7			0	his land	“the nation of Israel”
JOL	2	18	im7l			0	his people	“the people of Israel”
JOL	2	19	lu18			0	Look	“Pay attention to what I am about to say”
JOL	2	19	jde5			0	You will be satisfied with them	“You will have all you need of them”
JOL	2	19	tqc6			0	a disgrace	“unworthy of respect”
JOL	2	20	q49d			0	General Information:	God continues his promise to Israel.
JOL	2	20	khh7			0	northern…eastern…western	These directions are from the perspective of people living in the land of Israel.
JOL	2	20	v9xy			0	the eastern sea	the Dead Sea
JOL	2	20	ue9y			0	the western sea	the Mediterranean Sea
JOL	2	20	k6n8			0	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		0	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		0	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		0	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			0	he will…bring down showers for you	“he will…cause much rain to fall so that you will live well”
JOL	2	23	vnx8			0	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	24	gw97			0	Connecting Statement:	Yahweh begins a long speech to the Israelites.
JOL	2	24	p8u1			0	vats	large containers for liquids
JOL	2	25	k6bd			0	the years of crops that the swarming locust has eaten	“the crops that you took care of for years and that the swarming locusts have eaten”
JOL	2	25	e81a			0	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	qw24			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	2	26	jy17	figs-metonymy		0	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		0	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	h1ph			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	2	28	p6xw			0	It will come about afterward that I	“This is what I will do after that: I”
JOL	2	28	mc8b	figs-metaphor		0	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		0	all flesh	Here “flesh” represents people. Alternate translation: “all people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
JOL	2	30	c326			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	2	30	fxj8	figs-metonymy		0	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	e1db			0	The sun will turn into darkness	“The sun will no longer give light”
JOL	2	31	fc5h	figs-metonymy		0	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	xyf3			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	2	32	w6nv			0	It will be that everyone	“This is what will happen: everyone”
JOL	2	32	t1vg	figs-metonymy		0	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		0	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		0	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			0	survivors	people who live through a terrible event like a war or a disaster
JOL	3	intro	jcn7			0		# Joel 03 General Notes<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.<br>
JOL	3	1	b14f			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	3	1	nha5			0	Behold	“Listen” or “Pay attention”
JOL	3	1	zy3s	figs-doublet		0	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			0	when I return the exiles of Judah and Jerusalem	“When I send the exiles back to Judah and Jerusalem”
JOL	3	2	xs2u			0	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		0	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		0	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	k66w			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	3	4	qj6v	figs-rquestion		0	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		0	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		0	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	4	wdm3			0	retribution	“revenge” or “payback”
JOL	3	7	d8mh			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	3	7	sum8			0	Look	“Pay attention” or “Listen”
JOL	3	7	dc6d	figs-explicit		0	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	7	uh32			0	return payment	“give back what you deserve”
JOL	3	8	pww6	figs-metonymy		0	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	8	t9jc	translate-names		0	Sabeans	the people of the land of Sabea (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
JOL	3	9	ih66	figs-irony		0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel. Here he begins an ironic call to the nations to prepare for a war in which Yahweh will completely destroy the nations. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-irony]])
JOL	3	9	d6ny			0	rouse the mighty men	“make the mighty men ready for action”
JOL	3	10	t93c	figs-parallelism		0	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			0	plowshares	tools that are used to break up the soil in order to plant crops
JOL	3	10	epv7			0	pruning knives	knives that are used to cut off small branches
JOL	3	11	iq6r			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	3	11	rp2a	figs-irony		0	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		0	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			0	Yahweh, bring down your mighty warriors	Possible meanings are 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	b1jw			0	General Information:	Yahweh finishes the speech he began in [Joel 2:25](../02/25.md), promising good things for the people of Israel.
JOL	3	12	ul2y			0	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			0	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		0	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		0	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		0	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			0	sickle	a long curved knife that people use for cutting grain
JOL	3	13	rua7			0	the harvest is ripe	“the grain is ready to be harvested”
JOL	3	13	tz4a	figs-metaphor		0	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		0	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			0	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			0	Valley of Judgment…Valley of Judgment	This phrase is repeated to show that the judgment will certainly happen.
JOL	3	14	fq2i	figs-abstractnouns		0	Valley of Judgment	There is no known place with this name. The abstract noun “judgment” can be translated using the verb “judge.” Alternate translation: “Valley Where Yahweh Judges” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
JOL	3	16	fj29			0	General Information:	Yahweh begins speaking in verse 17.
JOL	3	16	fe1r	figs-parallelism		0	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		0	Yahweh will roar	Possible meanings are 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		0	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			0	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		0	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	17	isx1			0	So you will know	“When I do these things, you will know”
JOL	3	18	kj6z			0	General Information:	God continues to speak about the day of the Lord.
JOL	3	18	y22f			0	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		0	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		0	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			0	all the brooks of Judah will flow with water	“water will flow through all the brooks of Judah”
JOL	3	18	k6qq			0	water the Valley of Shittim	“will send water to the Valley of Shittim”
JOL	3	18	f69l	translate-names		0	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			0	Egypt will become an abandoned devastation	“Everyone will leave Egypt and no one will live there”
JOL	3	19	au36			0	Edom will become an abandoned wilderness	“Everyone will leave Edom and it will look like no people have ever lived there”
JOL	3	19	c2r8			0	because of the violence done to the people of Judah	“because of the violent things Egypt and Edom did to the people of Judah”
JOL	3	19	t6ay	figs-metonymy		0	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	y198			0	General Information:	Yahweh continues to speak about the day of the Lord.
JOL	3	20	gi4z	figs-activepassive		0	Judah will be inhabited forever	This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “people will live in Judah forever” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL	3	20	f72t	figs-activepassive		0	Jerusalem will be inhabited from generation to generation	This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “generation after generation, people will live in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
JOL	3	21	dj9s	figs-metonymy		0	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]])