They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.
Parallel translations
- WEB They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like warriors. They each march in his line, and they don’t swerve off course.
- KJV They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
- NKJV They run like mighty men, They climb the wall like men of war; Every one marches in formation, And they do not break ranks.
- NASB They run like warriors, They climb the wall like soldiers; And each of them marches in line, Nor do they lose their way.
- NLT The attackers march like warriors and scale city walls like soldiers. Straight forward they march, never breaking rank.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The invaders advance like disciplined warriors, scaling walls and never breaking formation. Their relentless order makes them unstoppable.
Overview
Joel likens the army to mighty men who climb walls and keep their ranks without swerving. The emphasis on precision and discipline magnifies the threat, for nothing distracts or deters them. This portrait of orderly, irresistible advance underscores the certainty of God's judgment when He sends it, leaving the people no recourse but repentance.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 30:27the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation;
- 2 Sam 5:8On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”
- Isa 5:26–29He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come!
- Joel 2:9They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.
- 2 Sam 2:18–19The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
- Jer 5:10Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not finish them off. Strip off her branches, for they do not belong to the LORD.
- 2 Sam 1:23Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
- Ps 19:5Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course,
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promised outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh and the call to 'everyone who calls on the name of the LORD' are fulfilled at Pentecost in the name of Jesus.
How Joel 2:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.