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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joel 2:1-11

Here we have God contending with his own professing people for their sins and executing upon them the judgment written in the law (Deut. 28:42), The fruit of thy land shall the locust consume, which was one of those diseases of Egypt that God would bring upon them, Deut. 28:60. I. Here is the war proclaimed (Joel 2:1): Blow the trumpet in Zion, either to call the invading army together, and then the trumpet sounds a charge, or rather to give notice to Judah and Jerusalem of the approach of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joel 2:7

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, Exodus 10:6 ; and they shall... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 2:7

Like mighty men - like men of war (and as horsemen, Joel 2:4 ;) - The prophet does not say they are such, but they resemble. They are locusts; but in their operations they are Like the above. They shall not break their ranks - See the account on Joel 2:2 , from Dr. Shaw. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:1-11

These 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 coming of the day of the Lord. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:1-11

The 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 one aspect of the Church's ministry, namely, the ministry of alarm. I. IT HAS TO ANNOUNCE A JUDGMENT THAT IS TERRIBLE . How graphically and appallingly does the prophet set forth the tremendousness of the calamity that was about being inflicted on Judah! It... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:4-11

The way in which God executes his judgments. In these verses we are taught many important and solemn lessons in connection with the Divine judgments and their execution. I. THE AGENTS EMPLOYED . 1 . These may appear to us in themselves very insignificant; but when executing his commission and armed with his wrath they are truly terrible. To the eye and to the ear that terror made its appeal; the sight of them was awe-inspiring, the sound of them frightful. Both on the march... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:7

They shall run like mighty men . This either refers to their extreme nimbleness or rapidity of motion (compare the Homeric πόδας ὠκὺσ ̓αχιλλεύς ποδάρκης , and the like), or describes their running to an assault with intrepid valour and unwearied vigour. They shall climb the wall like men of war . This marks the success of their assault; they scale the walls and make good their attack. And they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks . Their march... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joel 2:7-9

The prophet, having mentioned the consternation and terror occasioned by the approach of locusts, proceeds to compare them to an army well equipped and overcoming all impediments. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joel 2:7

They shall run like mighty men - They are on God’s message, and they linger not, “but rejoice to run their course” Psalms 19:5. “The height of walls cannot hinder the charge of the mighty; they enter not by the gates but over the walls” , as of a city taken by assault. People can mount a wall few at a time; the locusts scale much more steadily, more compactly, more determinately, and irresistibly. The picture unites the countless multitude, condensed march, and entire security of the locust... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joel 2:7-8

Joel 2:7-8 . They shall run like mighty men They shall proceed everywhere like stout and mighty men, who are afraid of nothing. The description here given agrees perfectly to locusts, as Bochart has shown. “First, They shall run. Now their manner of fighting is thus described: They strike, or wound, not as they stand, but as they run. Secondly, They run as mighty men. What are more innumerable or strong than locusts, says St. Jerome, which no human pains can resist? Thirdly, They... read more

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