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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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joel 2:8

Neither shall one thrust another ,.... Press upon another, thrust him out of his place, or push him forward, or any ways straiten and distress him, or in the least hinder him in his progress: they shall walk everyone in his path ; or "highway" F15 במסלתו "per aggerem suum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "via elevata", Drusius; "via strata sua", Cocceius. ; everyone should have his path, and keep in it, and it should be as roomy to him as if he had a highway to walk in by... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 2:8

They shall not be wounded - They have hard scales like a coat of mail; but the expression refers to the utter uselessness of all means to prevent their depredations. See Shaw's account above. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joel 2:8

Verse 8 He then adds, A man shall not push his brother. By this mode of speaking the Prophet means that they would come in perfect order, so that the multitude would create no confusion, as it is mostly the case: for it is very difficult for an army to march in regular order without tumult, like two or three men walking together. For when a hundred horsemen march together some commonly hinder others. When therefore so large a number assemble together, it can hardly be possible for them not to... 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

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