King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
Complete Jewish Bible:
They don't jostle each other, but stay on their own paths; they burst through defenses unharmed, without even breaking rank.
Berean Standard Bible:
They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks.
American Standard Version:
Neither doth one thrust another; they march every one in his path; and they burst through the weapons, and break not off their course.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Neither shall one{H376} thrust{H1766} another{H251}; they shall walk{H3212} every one{H1397} in his path{H4546}: and when they fall{H5307} upon the sword{H7973}, they shall not be wounded{H1214}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Job 33:18
- He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
2 Chronicles 32:5
- Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised [it] up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo [in] the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
Nehemiah 4:17
- They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, [every one] with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other [hand] held a weapon.
Job 36:12
- But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.
Nehemiah 4:23
- So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, [saving that] every one put them off for washing.
Song of Solomon 4:13
- Thy plants [are] an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
2 Chronicles 23:10
- And he set all the people, every man having his weapon in his hand, from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, along by the altar and the temple, by the king round about.
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Commentary for Joel 2:8
Joel 2:8 is part of the prophetic book of Joel, which is situated within the twelve Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. The historical context of Joel is somewhat uncertain, but it is generally thought to have been written after the return of the Jews from the Babylonian exile, possibly in the post-exilic period of the 5th century BCE. The book of Joel is an oracle that describes a locust plague and drought as a prelude to the "day of the Lord," a time of divine judgment and restoration.
In Joel 2:8, the prophet is describing the behavior of an invading army, often interpreted as a metaphorical representation of a locust swarm, which is a symbol of judgment in the book. The verse reads, "Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and [when] they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded." This passage conveys a sense of order and purpose within the invading force; each one moves ahead without hindrance from others, suggesting a relentless and inexorable advance. The phrase "they shall walk every one in his path" indicates that each member of the army or swarm has a specific role or direction, emphasizing the totality and precision of the judgment about to unfold.
The latter part of the verse, "and [when] they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded," has been interpreted in various ways. It could mean that despite the seemingly overwhelming odds against them, the invaders are not harmed by the weapons of their enemies, highlighting the divine protection or the invincibility of the force that God has sent. Alternatively, it could be hyperbolic language to emphasize the magnitude of the disaster that is about to strike, as if even the most dire circumstances cannot halt their advance.
The themes of Joel 2:8 include the inevitability of divine judgment, the precision and purposefulness of God's actions, and the notion that human efforts to resist divine will are futile. The verse underscores the power of God's intervention in the world, whether through natural disasters or historical events, and calls the people to repentance in the face of impending doom. It serves as a warning and a call to prepare for the day of the Lord, which, while bringing judgment, also holds the promise of restoration and renewal for those who turn to God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H1766
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּחַק
Transliteration: dâchaq
Pronunciation: daw-khak'
Description: a primitive root; to press, i.e. oppress; thrust, vex. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H1397
There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֶּבֶר
Transliteration: geber
Pronunciation: gheh'-ber
Description: from גָּבַר; properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply; every one, man, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H4546
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְסִלָּה
Transliteration: mᵉçillâh
Pronunciation: mes-il-law'
Description: from סָלַל; a thoroughfare (as turnpiked), literally or figuratively; specifically a viaduct, a staircase; causeway, course, highway, path, terrace. - Strong's Number: H5307
There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָפַל
Transliteration: nâphal
Pronunciation: naw-fal'
Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. - Strong's Number: H7973
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁלַח
Transliteration: shelach
Pronunciation: sheh'-lakh
Description: from שָׁלַח; a missile of attack, i.e. spear; also (figuratively) a shoot of growth; i.e. branch; dart, plant, [idiom] put off, sword, weapon. - Strong's Number: H1214
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּצַע
Transliteration: bâtsaʻ
Pronunciation: baw-tsah'
Description: a primitive root to break off, i.e. (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop; (be) covet(-ous), cut (off), finish, fulfill, gain (greedily), get, be given to (covetousness), greedy, perform, be wounded.