before them
This phrase indicates the presence of a formidable force or event that causes the nations to react in such a way. In the context of Joel, this could refer to the locust plague or an invading army, both seen as instruments of God's judgment. The imagery suggests an unstoppable force advancing, before which the nations are powerless, highlighting the sovereignty and power of God in executing His divine will.

every face turns pale
The expression "every face turns pale" is a vivid depiction of fear and dread. The Hebrew word "pâ'âr" can mean to beautify or adorn, but in this context, it is used ironically to describe the loss of color and vitality in the face due to extreme fear. This transformation of appearance underscores the severity of the situation. Scripturally, pale faces are often associated with terror and impending doom, as seen in other prophetic writings like Jeremiah 30:6. This imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying nature of God's judgment, calling for repentance and humility before His might.

(1) generally connected with פָרוּר, a pot, rad. פדר, to break in pieces, and translated accordingly. Thus the Septuagint: "Every face is as the blackness of a pot;" the Syriac also: "Every face shall be black as the blackness of a pot;" in like manner the Chaldee: "All faces are covered with soot, so that they are black as a pot."

(2) But Aben Ezra connects the word with פֵאֵר, to beautify, glorify, adorn, and translates, "They withdraw (gather to themselves)their redness (ruddiness);" that is, they become pale. The 'Speaker's Commentary ' adopts this view of the expression, and illustrates it by Shakespeare's fancy of the blood being summoned from the face to help the heart in its death-struggle -

"Being all descended to the labouring heart;
Who, in the conflict that it holds with death,
Attracts the same for aidance 'gainst the enemy:
Which with the heart there cools and ne'er returneth
To blush and beautify the cheek again." The parallel usually cited in favour of asaph being employed in the sense of withdrawing is, "And the stars shall withdraw their shining" (Joel 2:10; Joel 3:15). This proceeds on the supposition that asaph and qabhats have the same meaning of "gathering " - gathering up, gathering in, withdrawing. But D. Kimchi quotes his father (Joseph Kimchi) as objecting to this rendering, on the ground of the distinction which he asserts to prevail between them. Asaph, he says, "is used of gathering together, or in, that which is dispersed, or net present; but qabhats is not so used."

Parallel Commentaries ...