Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? New Living Translation The LORD is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive? English Standard Version The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; who can endure it? Berean Standard Bible The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it? Berean Literal Bible And YHWH gives forth His voice before the face of His army, for exceedingly large is His camp, for strong is the One doing His word, for great is the day of YHWH and very fearsome—and who can endure it? King James Bible And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? New King James Version The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; Who can endure it? New American Standard Bible The LORD utters His voice before His army; His camp is indeed very great, For mighty is one who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it? NASB 1995 The LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it? NASB 1977 And the LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it? Legacy Standard Bible But Yahweh gives forth His voice before His military force; Surely His camp is very numerous, For mighty is he who does His word. The day of Yahweh is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it? Amplified Bible The LORD utters His voice before His army, For His camp is very great, Because strong and powerful is he who [obediently] carries out His word. For the day of the LORD is indeed great and very terrible [causing dread]; Who can endure it? Berean Annotated Bible The LORD {YHWH} raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it? Christian Standard Bible The LORD makes his voice heard in the presence of his army. His camp is very large; those who carry out his command are powerful. Indeed, the day of the LORD is terrible and dreadful — who can endure it? Holman Christian Standard Bible The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. His camp is very large; Those who carry out His command are powerful. Indeed, the Day of the LORD is terrible and dreadful— who can endure it? American Standard Version And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word; for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Contemporary English Version The LORD God leads this army of countless troops, and they obey his commands. The day of his judgment is so terrible that no one can stand it. English Revised Version And the LORD uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD shouts out orders to his army. His forces are very large. The troops that carry out his commands are mighty. The day of the LORD is extremely terrifying. Who can endure it? Good News Translation The LORD thunders commands to his army. The troops that obey him are many and mighty. How terrible is the day of the LORD! Who will survive it? International Standard Version The LORD will shout in the presence of his forces, because his encampment is very great; for powerful is he who carries out his message. Truly the Day of the LORD is great, and very terrifying. Who will be able to survive it?" NET Bible The voice of the LORD thunders as he leads his army. Indeed, his warriors are innumerable; Surely his command is carried out! Yes, the day of the LORD is awesome and very terrifying--who can survive it? New Heart English Bible The LORD thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of the LORD is great and very awesome, and who can endure it? Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD will utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it? World English Bible Yahweh thunders his voice before his army, for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH has given forth His voice before His force, "" For His camp [is] very great, "" For mighty [is] the doer of His word, "" For great [is] the Day of YHWH—very fearful, "" And who bears it? Berean Literal Bible And YHWH gives forth His voice before the face of His army, for exceedingly large is His camp, for strong is the One doing His word, for great is the day of YHWH and very fearsome—and who can endure it? Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His force, For very great is His camp, For mighty is the doer of His word, For great is the day of Jehovah -- very fearful, And who doth bear it? Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah gave his voice before the face of his strength: for exceedingly great his camp, and strong he doing his word: for great the day of Jehovah, and exceedingly terrible; and who shall endure it? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord hath uttered his voice before the face of his army: for his armies are exceeding great, for they are strong and execute his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who can stand it? Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord has bestowed his voice before the face of his army. For its military camps are very numerous; for they are strong and they carry out his word. For the day of the Lord is great and so very terrible, and who can withstand it? New American Bible The LORD raises his voice at the head of his army; How immense is his host! How numerous those who carry out his command! How great is the day of the LORD! Utterly terrifying! Who can survive it? New Revised Standard Version The LORD utters his voice at the head of his army; how vast is his host! Numberless are those who obey his command. Truly the day of the LORD is great; terrible indeed—who can endure it? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe LORD has shouted before his army; for his host is very great; mighty is the work executed by his word; for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it? Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And THE LORD JEHOVAH gave his voice before his army, because his host is very great, and mighty is the work of his word, because great is the day of LORD JEHOVAH and very awesome, and who is able to endure it? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD uttereth His voice before His army; For His camp is very great, For he is mighty that executeth His word; For great is the day of the LORD and very terrible; And who can abide it? Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord shall utter his voice before his host: for his camp is very great: for the execution of his words is mighty: for the day of the Lord is great, very glorious, and who shall be able to resist it? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Army of Locusts…10Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness. 11The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it? Cross References The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. Psalm 18:13 The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded—hailstones and coals of fire. Deuteronomy 33:2 He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand. Revelation 19:14 The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses. Indeed, His camp is very large, Psalm 68:17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands—thousands of thousands are they; the Lord is in His sanctuary as He was at Sinai. Daniel 7:10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from His presence. Thousands upon thousands attended Him, and myriads upon myriads stood before Him. The court was convened, and the books were opened. Revelation 5:11 Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels encircling the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. for mighty are those who obey His command. Psalm 103:20-21 Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength who carry out His word, who hearken to the voice of His command. / Bless the LORD, all His hosts, you servants who do His will. Psalm 148:1-5 Hallelujah! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him in the highest places. / Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His heavenly hosts. / Praise Him, O sun and moon; praise Him, all you shining stars. … For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD. Zephaniah 1:14-15 The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the Day of the LORD is coming—cruel, with fury and burning anger—to make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners within it. Who can endure it? Malachi 3:2 But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. Nahum 1:6 Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him. Revelation 6:17 For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” Revelation 19:15 And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Isaiah 13:4-6 Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war. / They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country. / Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. Treasury of Scripture And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? utter. Joel 3:16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 2 Samuel 22:14,15 The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice… Psalm 46:6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. his army. Joel 2:25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. he is. Jeremiah 50:34 Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. Revelation 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. the day. Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Amos 5:18,20 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light… Zephaniah 1:15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, who. Numbers 24:23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! Nahum 1:6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. Malachi 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: Jump to Previous Abide Army Awesome Bear Camp Carries Command Dreadful Effect Endure Exceedingly Executes Executeth Feared Forces Forth Gives Great Greatly Host Indeed Mighty Obeys Strength Strong Surely Terrible Thundering Thunders Utter Uttereth Utters Voice WordJump to Next Abide Army Awesome Bear Camp Carries Command Dreadful Effect Endure Exceedingly Executes Executeth Feared Forces Forth Gives Great Greatly Host Indeed Mighty Obeys Strength Strong Surely Terrible Thundering Thunders Utter Uttereth Utters Voice WordJoel 2 1. He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.12. He exhorts to repentance; 15. prescribes a fast; 18. promises a blessing thereon. 21. He comforts Zion with present, 28. and future blessings. The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. This phrase emphasizes the authority and power of God as a divine commander. In biblical context, God's voice is often associated with creation, judgment, and authority (Genesis 1:3, Psalm 29:4). The "army" here can be interpreted as both a literal and metaphorical force, possibly referring to the locusts described earlier in Joel or a future eschatological army. This imagery aligns with other Old Testament passages where God leads His people into battle (Joshua 5:13-15). Indeed, His camp is very large, for mighty are those who obey His command. For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful. Who can endure it? Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign and commands His army. 2. His Army Represents the forces, both natural and supernatural, that God uses to execute His judgment and fulfill His purposes. 3. The Day of the LORD A significant time of divine intervention, characterized by judgment and deliverance. 4. Joel The prophet who delivers God's message to the people of Judah, calling them to repentance. 5. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, the primary audience of Joel's prophecy. Teaching Points The Sovereignty of GodGod is in control of all events, and His purposes will be accomplished. We must recognize His authority and submit to His will. The Call to Obedience The passage highlights the might of those who obey God's command. As believers, we are called to live in obedience to God's Word. The Reality of Judgment The "day of the LORD" is a reminder of the coming judgment. It should motivate us to live righteously and share the gospel with urgency. The Need for Repentance Joel's message is a call to repentance. We must examine our lives, turn from sin, and seek God's forgiveness. Endurance Through Faith The question "who can endure it?" points to the need for faith and reliance on God's strength to withstand trials and judgment. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joel 2:11?2. How does Joel 2:11 emphasize God's power and authority over creation? 3. What does "His army is very great" reveal about God's sovereignty? 4. How can we prepare for "the day of the LORD" in our lives? 5. Connect Joel 2:11 with Revelation's depiction of God's final judgment. 6. How should believers respond to God's call to repentance in Joel 2:11? 7. What does Joel 2:11 reveal about God's power and authority over creation? 8. How does Joel 2:11 challenge our understanding of divine judgment? 9. In what ways does Joel 2:11 emphasize the importance of repentance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joel 2? 11. What is Joel's Army? 12. If Joel 2 describes an imminent 'day of the Lord,' why hasn't this unmistakable judgment clearly happened yet? 13. How could David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and take his spear and water jug unnoticed by 3,000 soldiers? (1 Samuel 26:7-12) 14. Who were Eldad and Medad in the Bible? What Does Joel 2:11 Mean The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army“The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army” (Joel 2:11). • The picture is of God Himself commanding, not from a distance but while standing among His forces—much as He thundered from Sinai (Exodus 19:18-19) and will roar from Zion (Joel 3:16). • Whether the army in view is a literal invading horde (Joel 2:2-10) or a supernatural host (Revelation 19:14-15), the emphasis is on the divine origin of the judgment. • Cross references underline the pattern: Judges 7:15-18 shows Gideon’s small band advancing only after the LORD’s signal; Isaiah 13:3-4 depicts God summoning warrior nations with His voice. Indeed, His camp is very large • God’s “camp” includes any agents He chooses—locusts, nations, angels—reminding us that “the earth is the LORD’s” (Psalm 24:1) and all resources are at His disposal. • The scale echoes Revelation 9:16, where an overwhelming cavalry of judgment is numbered; also 2 Kings 6:17, where unseen heavenly chariots fill the mountainside. • The point: no human coalition can match the breadth of the forces marshaled by the LORD (Psalm 33:10-11). for mighty are those who obey His command • Their strength lies not in natural power but in obedience, mirroring Psalm 103:20: “Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength, who do His word.” • Even pagan rulers like Cyrus became “mighty” when they fulfilled God’s purpose (Isaiah 44:28-45:1). • The verse challenges us: true might is measured by submission to God’s directive, whether angelic, human, or even insect (Proverbs 30:27). For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful • Joel links his locust-plague context to the worldwide Day of the LORD, a time of climactic intervention (Zephaniah 1:14-18; 2 Peter 3:10). • “Great” underscores its scope; “very dreadful” stresses its intensity, paralleling Malachi 4:5. • Earlier “day” references (Joel 1:15; 2:1) crescendo here, warning that preliminaries foreshadow a final, decisive reckoning (Matthew 24:21-22). Who can endure it? • The question echoes Malachi 3:2 and Revelation 6:17, inviting reflection on human frailty before divine holiness. • Endurance is possible only through repentance and refuge in the LORD (Joel 2:12-13; Nahum 1:7). • Believers are assured in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 that salvation in Christ delivers from wrath, yet the call to watchfulness remains (Luke 21:36). summary Joel 2:11 paints a vivid tableau: God Himself commands a vast, obedient host to execute a judgment so overwhelming that no one can withstand it apart from His mercy. The verse magnifies the LORD’s sovereign authority, the unparalleled size of His forces, the true power found in obedience, and the awesome weight of the coming Day of the LORD. Only those who heed His voice now will stand secure when that great and very dreadful day arrives. (11) His army.--"In every stage of their existence these locusts give a most impressive view of the power of God to punish a wicked world" (The Land and the Book, p. 417).Hebrew The LORDוַֽיהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH raises נָתַ֤ן (nā·ṯan) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set His voice קוֹלוֹ֙ (qō·w·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6963: A voice, sound in the presence לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face of His army. חֵיל֔וֹ (ḥê·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 2426: An army, an intrenchment Indeed, כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction His camp מַחֲנֵ֔הוּ (ma·ḥă·nê·hū) Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army is very מְאֹד֙ (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily large, רַ֤ב (raḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7227: Much, many, great for כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction mighty [are] עָצ֖וּם (‘ā·ṣūm) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6099: Powerful, numerous those who obey עֹשֵׂ֣ה (‘ō·śêh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct Strong's 6213: To do, make His command. דְבָר֑וֹ (ḏə·ḇā·rōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction the day of יוֹם־ (yō·wm-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3117: A day the LORD יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH [is] great גָד֧וֹל (ḡā·ḏō·wl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent and very מְאֹ֖ד (mə·’ōḏ) Adverb Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily dreadful. וְנוֹרָ֥א (wə·nō·w·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten Who וּמִ֥י (ū·mî) Conjunctive waw | Interrogative Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix can endure it? יְכִילֶֽנּוּ׃ (yə·ḵî·len·nū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 3557: To keep in, to measure, to maintain Links Joel 2:11 NIVJoel 2:11 NLT Joel 2:11 ESV Joel 2:11 NASB Joel 2:11 KJV Joel 2:11 BibleApps.com Joel 2:11 Biblia Paralela Joel 2:11 Chinese Bible Joel 2:11 French Bible Joel 2:11 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Joel 2:11 Yahweh thunders his voice before his army (Jl Joe.) |
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