God's Promise to Restore the Harvest
Joel 2:18-27
Joe.2.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקנא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לארצו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- ויחמל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Zechariah 1:14-17 (verbal): God declares he is jealous for Jerusalem/Zion and promises mercy to restore the land—closest prophetic parallel to 'the LORD was jealous for his land' and pitying his people.
- Deuteronomy 32:36 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD vindicating and having compassion on his servants/people—parallels the theme of divine pity toward Israel.
- Exodus 34:14 (allusion): Describes the LORD as a 'jealous' God—background theological motif behind 'the LORD was jealous for his land'.
- Isaiah 63:9 (thematic): Speaks of the LORD's compassion and pity in redeeming and bearing his people—echoes the pity/compassion language of Joel 2:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the LORD was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.
- Then the LORD was jealous for his land and took pity on his people.
Joe.2.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לעמו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הדגן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והתירוש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והיצהר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושבעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ולא: CONJ
- אתן: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- עוד: ADV
- חרפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Joel 2:24 (structural): Same chapter and prophecy — God promises the threshing‑floors will be full of grain, and the people will rejoice and be satisfied; continuation/expansion of the same restoration promise.
- Joel 2:26 (verbal): Repeats key elements: eating and being satisfied and the people not being put to shame — closely parallels language and theme of reversal from reproach to blessing.
- Deuteronomy 7:13 (verbal): Part of covenant blessing language that lists agricultural gifts (grain, wine, oil) as signs of God's blessing on the land — a similar formula of provision.
- Amos 9:13–15 (thematic): Promise of agricultural abundance and national restoration (planting vineyards, drinking wine, eating the fruit; God restoring and no longer removing his people) — thematically parallels Joel’s assurance of provision and end of reproach.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD answered and said to his people, "Behold, I will send to you grain and wine and oil, and you shall be satisfied with them; and I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations."
- And the LORD answered and said to his people, "Behold, I will send you grain, wine, and oil, and you shall be satisfied with them; and I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations."
Joe.2.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- הצפוני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ארחיק: VERB,qal,imf,1,c,sg
- מעליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- והדחתיו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ציה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושממה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- הקדמני: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- וספו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- האחרון: ADJ,m,sg,def
- ועלה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- באשו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ותעל: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- צחנתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הגדיל: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Ezekiel 39:2-3 (thematic): Both portray God's judgment on a northern invader (Gog): God removes/forces the foe into the land where it is defeated and exposed, echoing themes of removal, disgrace, and destruction.
- Zephaniah 2:13-15 (thematic): God stretches out his hand against the north (Assyria/Nineveh) and makes it a dry, desolate land—paralleling Joel's image of a northern force driven into a parched wasteland.
- Exodus 14:26-28 (structural): God overwhelms an enemy army in/with the sea (Pharaoh's host); structurally similar to Joel's motif of an invading force driven to the sea and destroyed by divine action.
- Isaiah 11:15 (thematic): The Lord acts against the seas and foreign powers—drying up waters and delivering Israel—echoing Joel's sea-imagery and theme of divine intervention against hostile nations.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will drive the northerner far from you and thrust him into a parched and desolate land; I will turn his face toward the eastern sea and his rear toward the western sea, and his stench shall rise; for he has done great things.
- I will thrust the northerner far from you and cast him into a parched and desolate land; his face toward the eastern sea and his rear toward the western sea—his stench will rise, for he has done great things.
Joe.2.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תיראי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- אדמה: NOUN,prop,f,sg
- גילי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- ושמחי: VERB,qal,impf,2,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הגדיל: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- Joel 2:23 (verbal): A near-repeat within the same prophecy: both verses call for rejoicing because the LORD has acted—v.23 ties the rejoicing to God’s sending of rains and restoration.
- Psalm 118:24 (verbal): Shared language and thought—both exhort rejoicing because the day/event is of the LORD (’this is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad’).
- Isaiah 35:1–2 (thematic): The land/wilderness rejoices and is glad because of God’s saving action and display of his glory—parallel theme of creation/land responding to divine intervention.
- Psalm 65:12–13 (thematic): Describes the earth rejoicing and yielding its increase, with valleys and pastures clothed in joy—connects land’s gladness to God’s fruitful provision and blessing.
- Amos 9:13–15 (thematic): Speaks of a future agricultural blessing when mountains drip sweet wine and fields produce abundance—land’s restoration and joy are presented as the result of the LORD’s action.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not fear, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things.
- Do not fear, O land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things.
Joe.2.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אל: NEG
- תיראו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- בהמות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שדי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- דשאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- נאות: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- מדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פריו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- תאנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- וגפן: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- חילם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,prsfx=3mp
Parallels
- Isaiah 35:1-2, 6-7 (thematic): Like Joel 2:22, Isaiah depicts the desert rejoicing, vegetation restored and waters returning so that dry land becomes fruitful—an image of ecological restoration and provision for life.
- Psalm 104:10-14 (thematic): Speaks of God providing springs, grass for the cattle and plants for people—parallel in theme of divine provision so that beasts and fields are sustained and fruitful.
- Psalm 65:9-13 (verbal): Describes God crowning the year with bounty and pastures of the wilderness being clothed—close verbal and thematic resonance with Joel’s 'pastures of the wilderness' and agricultural abundance.
- Hosea 14:5-8 (thematic): Promises flourishing and blossoming (including imagery of vines and roots) when God restores Israel—parallels Joel’s image of trees bearing fruit and vines giving strength.
- Isaiah 11:6-9 (thematic): Presents a vision of restored creation in which animals live without fear and the natural order is transformed—sharing Joel’s concern for the welfare of beasts in a renewed world.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not fear, O beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness have become green; the tree bears its fruit—the fig tree and the vine give their full yield.
- Do not fear, O beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness have grown rich; the tree yields its fruit—fig tree and vine give their strength.
Joe.2.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ציון: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- גילו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- ושמחו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- ביהוה: PREP+PN,sg
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- המורה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לצדקה: PREP
- ויורד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- גשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מורה: VERB,qal,ptcp,NA,m,sg
- ומלקוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בראשון: PREP+ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 11:14 (verbal): Promises God will give 'the early and the latter rains' in their season — closely parallels Joel's language of giving the former/early rain and the latter rain as agricultural blessing.
- Deuteronomy 28:12 (thematic): Speaks of the heavens opening to give rain to the land as a sign of God's blessing — thematically echoes Joel's assurance that God will send rain to restore the land.
- Hosea 6:3 (verbal): Describes God's coming 'like the showers, like the spring rains' (early/latter rain imagery) — similar figurative language linking God's favor with rain.
- Zechariah 10:1 (verbal): Urges asking the LORD 'for rain in the time of the spring rain' — uses the same seasonal rain motif and expectation of God-sent rainfall for restoration.
- James 5:7–8 (allusion): Uses the farmer's waiting for the 'precious fruit' until the early and late rains as a metaphor for patience and eschatological hope — echoes Joel's early/latter rain motif and its link to renewal.
Alternative generated candidates
- You children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the early rain for righteousness; he will send down for you the former and the latter rain at their appointed times.
- You children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the LORD your God; for he has given you the early rain in righteousness and will send down for you the early rain and the latter rain in their season.
Joe.2.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הגרנות: DEF+NOUN,f,pl,def
- בר: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והשיקו: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,pl
- היקבים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- תירוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצהר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 104:13-15 (verbal): Speaks of God watering the earth so it yields produce; explicitly names grain, wine and oil as God’s provision, closely echoing Joel’s image of full granaries and overflowing vats.
- Genesis 27:28 (thematic): Isaac’s blessing—'plenty of grain and wine' (or 'corn and wine')—uses the same cluster of agricultural blessings (grain, wine, fatness of the earth) to express divine blessing and prosperity.
- Amos 9:13-14 (thematic): Promises a reversal to abundant harvest and fruitful vineyards—images of overflowing produce and restored prosperity that parallel Joel’s assurance of full granaries and vats.
- Leviticus 26:4-5 (thematic): As part of covenant blessing, God promises rain and increased yield so that 'your threshing shall reach unto the vintage,' linking divine blessing with abundant grain and wine as in Joel 2:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- The granaries shall be filled with grain, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
- The threshing floors shall be full of grain, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
Joe.2.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושלמתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- השנים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הארבה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הילק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והחסיל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והגזם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- חילי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,1,comm,sg
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שלחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- בכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 126:1-6 (thematic): Celebrates the LORD restoring Israel's fortunes and turning captivity into joy—theme of divine restoration of what was lost, echoing Joel’s promise to restore the years eaten by the locust.
- Job 42:10 (verbal): States that the LORD restored Job’s fortunes after his trial—uses the same idea/verb of God 'restoring' what had been taken away.
- Zechariah 9:12 (verbal): 'Return to your stronghold...I will restore to you double'—explicit promise of God restoring and recompensing loss, paralleling Joel’s guarantee of restoration.
- Isaiah 61:7 (thematic): Promises recompense and double for former shame, portraying God’s reversal of loss and humiliation—thematic parallel to restoration of ruined years.
- Hosea 6:2 (allusion): Speaks of revival/renewal ('after two days he will revive us')—a brief poetic allusion to the theme of God renewing and restoring what was broken or lost.
Alternative generated candidates
- I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten—the locust, the hopper, the destroyer, and the swarmer—my great army that I sent among you.
- I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten—the locust, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm—my great army that I sent among you.
Joe.2.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואכלתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אכול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושבוע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- והללתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שם: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- להפליא: VERB,hifil,inf
- ולא: CONJ
- יבשו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 8:10 (verbal): Both verses link eating and being satisfied with an immediate call to bless/praise the LORD (Deut 8:10: 'and you shall eat and be satisfied and bless the LORD your God'), a close verbal and thematic echo.
- Psalm 107:8-9 (thematic): Psalm 107 gives thanks for God's deliverance and states that he 'satisfies the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things,' parallel to Joel's promise of abundant eating, satisfaction, and praise for God's wondrous acts.
- Jeremiah 31:12-14 (thematic): Jeremiah portrays restored people coming to Zion, eating, being satisfied, and praising God—'I will satisfy the priests with abundance... my people shall be satisfied with my goodness'—closely echoing Joel's themes of provision, praise, and vindication.
- Psalm 103:2-5 (thematic): Psalm 103 exhorts blessing the LORD for his benefits, including satisfying the desires of the faithful and renewing them—connecting Joel's thanksgiving for God's wondrous provision and the people's welfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall eat your fill and be satisfied, and you shall praise the name of the LORD your God, who has done marvelous things for you; and my people shall never again be put to shame.
- You shall eat your fill and be satisfied, and you shall praise the name of the LORD your God who has wrought wonders for you; my people shall never be put to shame.
Joe.2.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידעתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- בקרב: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עוד: ADV
- ולא: CONJ
- יבשו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- עמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1s
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 43:11 (verbal): Declares YHWH's exclusive identity and sovereignty—'I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour'—echoing Joel's 'I am the LORD your God, and there is none else.'
- Isaiah 45:5 (verbal): Direct statement of God's uniqueness—'I am the LORD, and there is none else'—a close verbal parallel to Joel's formula of divine exclusivity.
- Zephaniah 3:17 (thematic): Affirms God 'in the midst' of his people and his saving presence; parallels Joel's emphasis that YHWH is among Israel and will uphold them.
- Psalm 46:5 (thematic): 'God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved' parallels Joel's assurance that God's presence with Israel removes shame and secures the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel; I am the LORD your God, and there is no other; and my people shall never again be put to shame.
- And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel; I am the LORD your God, and there is no other—my people shall never be put to shame.
Then the LORD was zealous for his land and had compassion on his people. And the LORD answered and said to his people, 'Behold, I will send you grain, wine, and oil, and you shall be satisfied with them; and I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.'
I will drive the northerner far from you and will send him into a dry and desolate land; his front shall be toward the eastern sea and his rear toward the western sea, and his stench shall rise—for he has done great things.
Do not fear, O land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things.
Do not fear, O beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness are rich. The tree has borne its fruit; the fig tree and the vine have yielded their bounty.
O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the former rain for righteousness; he will send for you the rain—the former and the latter—as before.
The granaries shall be filled with grain, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
I will restore to you the years that the locust, the hopper, the cutter, and the swarming locust—my great army that I sent among you—have consumed.
You shall eat your fill and be satisfied, and you shall praise the name of the LORD your God, who has done wondrous things for you; and my people shall never be put to shame. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel; I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. And my people shall never be put to shame.