Joel 2:10

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining:

The earth {H776} shall quake {H7264} before {H6440} them; the heavens {H8064} shall tremble {H7493}: the sun {H8121} and the moon {H3394} shall be dark {H6937}, and the stars {H3556} shall withdraw {H622} their shining {H5051}:

At their advance the earth quakes, and the sky shakes, the sun and moon turn black, and the stars stop shining.

Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.

The earth quaketh before them; the heavens tremble; the sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.

Joel 2:10 is a powerful prophetic verse that vividly describes the cosmic and terrestrial disruptions accompanying a significant outpouring of God's judgment, often associated with the Day of the Lord. This verse follows a detailed description of an overwhelming invading force – referring to the locusts or invading army mentioned in the preceding verses – which the prophet interprets as a devastating manifestation of divine wrath.

Context

The Book of Joel primarily addresses a severe locust plague that devastates the land of Judah, which the prophet interprets as a foretaste of the coming Day of the Lord. Joel 2:1-9 describes the terrifying advance of this "army" – whether literal or metaphorical – with unparalleled precision and destructive power. Verse 10 amplifies the horror, indicating that the impact of this judgment is not merely local but affects the very fabric of creation, causing the earth to quake and the heavens to tremble, demonstrating the severity of God's intervention.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: This verse powerfully underscores God's absolute control over creation and His ability to use natural phenomena and earthly forces to execute His righteous judgment. The cosmic signs—darkening of the sun, moon, and stars—are a dramatic display of His immense power and authority.
  • The Day of the Lord: This phrase is central to Joel's prophecy. The cosmic disturbances described here are hallmark signs of this eschatological period, which signifies a time of reckoning for the wicked and vindication for the righteous. It's a recurring theme in prophetic literature, often preceding a time of restoration or the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
  • Cosmic Disorder: The darkening of celestial bodies is a common prophetic motif indicating profound upheaval, a reversal of natural order, and the impending end of an era or a significant historical turning point. It suggests a complete disruption of life as it is known, signifying the gravity of God's presence and judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew terms used convey a strong sense of violent disturbance. רָעַשׁ (ra'ash), translated as "quake" or "tremble," is used for both the earth and the heavens, emphasizing a profound, universal shaking. The phrase "shall be dark" (חָשְׁכוּ - ḥashḵū) for the sun and moon, and "withdraw their shining" (אָסְפוּ נָגְהָם - 'āsəfū noghāām) for the stars, vividly paints a picture of a profound loss of light, symbolizing despair, judgment, and the absence of divine favor or blessing.

Related Scriptures

This imagery of cosmic disturbance is echoed throughout prophetic literature, often in descriptions of the Day of the Lord or the end times. For instance, Isaiah 13:10 speaks of the stars not giving their light, and Jesus Himself spoke of the sun being darkened and the moon not giving her light as signs preceding His return. Similarly, Revelation 6:12-14 describes similar celestial phenomena during the opening of the sixth seal, reinforcing this powerful prophetic language.

Practical Application

Joel 2:10 serves as a stark reminder of God's power and the seriousness of His judgment. While it speaks to future events, it also calls believers to present-day reflection and action. The cosmic signs should prompt spiritual readiness, urging individuals to consider their standing before God. The impending judgment described in Joel is often followed by a call to repentance and a turning back to the Lord with all one's heart, emphasizing that even in the face of overwhelming judgment, there is hope for those who seek Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 24:29

    Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

  • Isaiah 13:10

    For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

  • Joel 3:15

    The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

  • 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.

  • Psalms 18:7

    Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.

  • Acts 2:20

    The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

  • Mark 13:24

    But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,

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