Joel 2:11

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} shall utter {H5414} his voice {H6963} before {H6440} his army {H2428}: for his camp {H4264} is very {H3966} great {H7227}: for he is strong {H6099} that executeth {H6213} his word {H1697}: for the day {H3117} of the LORD {H3068} is great {H1419} and very {H3966} terrible {H3372}; and who can abide {H3557} it?

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI shouts orders to his forces - his army is immense, mighty, and it does what he says. For great is the Day of ADONAI, fearsome, terrifying! 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?

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 2:11 vividly portrays the overwhelming power and terrifying majesty of the Day of the LORD, a pivotal moment of divine intervention and judgment. The verse emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty as He commands His immense army, highlighting His strength in executing His decree and posing a rhetorical question that underscores the futility of resistance against His formidable presence. It serves as a stark warning of an inevitable and awe-inspiring reckoning.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 2:11 stands as a climactic declaration within a broader prophetic warning. The preceding verses (Joel 2:1-10) meticulously describe a devastating locust plague, which is presented not merely as a natural disaster but as a divinely orchestrated "army" heralding the coming "Day of the LORD." This immediate context sets the stage for verse 11, where the focus shifts from the instrument (the locusts) to the Commander Himself, the LORD, whose voice and power are the ultimate source of the impending terror. The verse's intensity builds upon the imagery of cosmic disruption and military might, culminating in the unanswerable question, "who can abide it?"
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Joel addresses the people of Judah, likely during a period of severe national distress marked by an unprecedented locust infestation and drought. In ancient Israel, such natural calamities were often interpreted as direct judgments from God, a consequence of the people's disobedience to the covenant. The imagery of an "army" and "camp" would resonate deeply with a society familiar with warfare and the concept of God fighting for or against His people. The "Day of the LORD" was a well-established prophetic concept, often associated with both divine judgment upon Israel's enemies and, at times, upon Israel itself, as well as ultimate salvation for the faithful remnant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joel and the broader prophetic tradition. It underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Power**, portraying the LORD as the supreme commander whose will is irresistibly executed, whether through natural forces or human agents. The central theme of **The Day of the LORD** is amplified, depicted as a time of immense, terrifying, and inescapable judgment, prompting a call for urgent repentance (as seen in [Joel 2:12-13](/joel/2-12-13 "Joel 2:12-13 - Call to Repentance")). Furthermore, the rhetorical question "who can abide it?" highlights the **Inevitability of Judgment** and the universal human inability to stand against God's wrath without His mercy, a theme echoed in other prophetic books concerning God's righteous judgment, such as [Malachi 3:2](/malachi/3-2 "Malachi 3:2 - Who can endure the Day of His Coming?").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the covenant name of God, Jehovah, emphasizing His self-existent and eternal nature. In Joel 2:11, the use of "LORD" (Yahweh) underscores that the impending judgment is not a random event but the deliberate action of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is both intimately involved with His people and transcendent in His power.
* **army (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** From H2428, this word denotes a force, whether of men, means, or other resources, signifying strength, valor, or a host. Here, "his army" refers to the instrument of God's judgment, which in the immediate context of Joel 2 is the devastating locust plague, but also points to any force (natural or supernatural) that God employs to execute His will. It highlights the organized, powerful, and effective nature of God's agents.
* **terrible (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** From H3372, this primitive root means "to fear," but also "to revere" or "to be awe-inspiring." The dual meaning is crucial here: the Day of the LORD is indeed dreadful and fear-inducing for those who oppose God, but it is also a day that magnifies God's awesome power, holiness, and justice, inspiring reverence in those who fear Him rightly.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army:"** This clause depicts God as a divine commander, issuing a command or a battle cry. The "voice" (Hebrew _qôwl_) signifies His authority, power, and the immediate execution of His will. It implies that the "army" (whether locusts or a future force) is merely an obedient instrument, moving at His direct command.
* **"for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word:"** These two explanatory clauses provide the reason for the LORD's terrifying voice and the army's might. "His camp is very great" emphasizes the sheer magnitude and overwhelming numbers of God's forces. "He is strong that executeth his word" highlights God's omnipotence and unwavering resolve; whatever He decrees, He possesses the power to bring to pass without fail. His word is not just a pronouncement but an effective decree.
* **"for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?"** This final clause culminates the warning. The "Day of the LORD" is characterized by its immense scale ("great") and its dual nature of dread and awe ("very terrible"). The rhetorical question, "who can abide it?" (Hebrew _kûwl_), challenges humanity's ability to endure, withstand, or survive this day of divine reckoning. It powerfully conveys the futility of resistance and the absolute necessity of divine mercy.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 2:11 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine power and impending judgment. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in "the LORD shall utter his voice," attributing human-like vocalization to God, making His presence and command more immediate and impactful. The repeated use of intensifiers like "very great" and "very terrible" employs **Hyperbole** to underscore the overwhelming scale and terrifying nature of God's army and the Day of the LORD, emphasizing that these events transcend ordinary human experience. The phrase "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" utilizes **Repetition** of the conjunction "for" (Hebrew _kî_) to link the clauses, building a cumulative argument for the inevitability and power of God's judgment. Finally, the verse concludes with a powerful **Rhetorical Question**, "and who can abide it?", which expects no answer, serving to highlight the utter helplessness of humanity in the face of divine wrath and the absolute sovereignty of God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 2:11 profoundly articulates the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and history. It reveals a God who is not distant or passive but actively involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events—even devastating ones—to fulfill His righteous purposes. The "Day of the LORD" is a recurring prophetic motif that signifies a time when God decisively intervenes, bringing judgment upon sin and ultimately establishing His kingdom. This verse emphasizes the terrifying aspect of that day for the unrepentant, highlighting God's justice and the inescapable consequences of rebellion. Yet, within the broader context of Joel, this severe warning is immediately followed by a tender call to repentance, demonstrating that God's ultimate desire is not merely judgment but restoration for those who turn to Him wholeheartedly.

* [Revelation 6:17](/revelation/6-17 "Revelation 6:17 - Who can stand on the great day of His wrath?")
* [Isaiah 13:6-9](/isaiah/13-6-9 "Isaiah 13:6-9 - The Day of the LORD is at hand")
* [Zephaniah 1:14-16](/zephaniah/1-14-16 "Zephaniah 1:14-16 - The great Day of the LORD is near")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 2:11 serves as a profound reminder of God's immense power and the seriousness of His judgment. For believers, this verse should cultivate a deep sense of reverence and awe for the LORD, motivating us to live in faithful obedience and humble submission to His will. It underscores the importance of not taking God's grace for granted, but rather embracing the call to repentance and seeking refuge in His mercy, as Joel himself immediately encourages in the subsequent verses. For those who have not yet surrendered to Christ, this passage stands as a sober warning, urging a reevaluation of one's standing before a holy and just God. It compels us to consider the ultimate reality of divine accountability and the necessity of finding reconciliation with our Creator. The question "who can abide it?" should lead us not to despair, but to the One who enables us to stand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Joel 2:11 reveal about the character and power of God?**
* **How does the "terrible" nature of the Day of the LORD inspire both fear and reverence in your own heart?**
* **Given the inevitability of God's judgment, how should we live today in light of His ultimate authority?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "Day of the LORD" in Joel 2:11?**

Answer: The "Day of the LORD" is a crucial prophetic concept throughout the Old Testament, signifying a specific time when God intervenes decisively in human history to execute His judgment and to bring about His ultimate purposes. In Joel 2:11, it is portrayed as a "great and very terrible" day, emphasizing its overwhelming power and the dread it inspires. While initially linked to the devastating locust plague, Joel expands its scope to an eschatological event of cosmic proportions, indicating a final, universal reckoning. It is a day of darkness and gloom for the wicked, but also a day of vindication and salvation for God's faithful remnant. This concept is further developed in other prophetic books, such as [Amos 5:18-20](/amos/5-18-20 "Amos 5:18-20 - Woe to you who desire the Day of the LORD!"), which warns against a superficial understanding of its implications.

**How does Joel 2:11 relate to the locust plague described earlier in the chapter?**

Answer: Joel 2:11 serves as a powerful bridge between the immediate historical event of the locust plague and the broader, eschatological "Day of the LORD." The prophet initially describes the locusts as God's "army" (Joel 2:2-9), meticulously detailing their destructive power and disciplined advance. In verse 11, the "LORD shall utter his voice before his army," directly linking the natural disaster to divine command. The locusts are presented as a foretaste or a type of the greater, more universal judgment that will characterize the ultimate Day of the LORD. This connection emphasizes that even natural calamities are under God's sovereign control and can serve as instruments of His judgment, foreshadowing a future, even more profound intervention. The severity of the plague was a tangible sign of God's displeasure, meant to prompt repentance before the full manifestation of His "great and very terrible" day.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 2:11, with its depiction of the "great and very terrible" Day of the LORD and the rhetorical question "who can abide it?", finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament "Day of the LORD" often brought judgment and terror, Christ's first coming inaugurated a new phase of this day, offering a way to "abide" it through faith. Jesus, as the Lamb of God, took upon Himself the full wrath and judgment of God for sin, allowing those who believe in Him to stand justified before a holy God (as promised in [Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justified by His blood, saved from wrath")). His life, death, and resurrection represent God's decisive intervention, providing salvation from the very judgment described by Joel. Furthermore, the "Day of the LORD" will culminate in Christ's glorious second coming, when He will return not as a lamb but as a conquering King to execute final judgment and establish His eternal kingdom. On that day, only those who are "in Christ" will be able to "abide it," because their sins have been atoned for by the one who is "strong that executeth his word" (as declared in [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every knee will bow to Jesus")). Thus, the terror of Joel's prophecy is transformed into hope and assurance for those who find their refuge in the finished work of Jesus Christ, the one appointed by God to judge the living and the dead ([Acts 17:31](/acts/17-31 "Acts 17:31 - God has fixed a day when He will judge the world by Jesus")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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:

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.

Revelation 6:17

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Psalms 46:6

¶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

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.

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.

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.