Joel 2:25

KJV

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

KJV (with Strong's)

And I will restore {H7999} to you the years {H8141} that the locust {H697} hath eaten {H398}, the cankerworm {H3218}, and the caterpiller {H2625}, and the palmerworm {H1501}, my great {H1419} army {H2428} which I sent {H7971} among you.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I will restore to you the years that the locusts ate, the grasshoppers, shearer-worms and cutter-worms, my great army that I sent against you.

Berean Standard Bible

I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts— the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust— My great army that I sent against you.

American Standard Version

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm, my great army which I sent among you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 2:25 stands as a profound declaration of God's sovereign power to reverse devastation and restore what has been lost. Following a period of severe judgment, vividly described as a locust plague, this verse promises the people of Judah that the years consumed by these destructive insects will be fully recovered, underscoring God's capacity for complete renewal and His ultimate control over both judgment and blessing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 2:25 is situated within a pivotal section of the Book of Joel, transitioning from a dire prophecy of judgment to a glorious promise of restoration. Chapters 1 and the beginning of 2 describe an unprecedented locust plague and drought, serving as a powerful metaphor for the "Day of the Lord"—a time of divine judgment. The prophet then issues an urgent call to national repentance in [Joel 2:12-17](/joel/2-12-17 "Joel 2:12-17 - A Call to Repentance"). God's compassionate response to this repentance begins in [Joel 2:18-27](/joel/2-18-27 "Joel 2:18-27 - God's Promise of Restoration"), with Joel 2:25 being a central component of this divine promise to reverse the devastation and bring abundant blessing, culminating in the outpouring of the Spirit in [Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel 2:28-32 - The Promise of the Spirit").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was an agrarian society, heavily dependent on agricultural productivity for its survival and prosperity. Locust plagues were a terrifying and common threat in the ancient Near East, capable of utterly destroying crops and vegetation, leading to widespread famine and economic collapse. Such disasters were often interpreted as divine judgment, a consequence of the people's disobedience to God's covenant. The specific mention of four types of locusts (locust, cankerworm, caterpiller, palmerworm) emphasizes the completeness and successive nature of the devastation. The promise of restoration, therefore, speaks directly to the deepest fears and needs of a people whose very livelihood had been "eaten" away, offering hope for a return to normalcy and abundance after a period of intense suffering.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute control over all creation, including natural disasters, which He employs as instruments of His will, as evidenced by the phrase "my great army which I sent among you." Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Restoration and Redemption**, demonstrating God's inherent desire and power to heal, renew, and bring back what was lost, even years of productivity and prosperity. This promise is intrinsically linked to the theme of **Repentance and Blessing**, as God's restorative action is presented as a direct response to the people's genuine turning back to Him, illustrating the principle that humility and contrition can unlock divine favor and a reversal of judgment, as seen throughout [the prophetic books](/isaiah/1 "The Prophetic Books").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Restore (Hebrew, _shâlam'_):** From H7999, meaning "to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate (in various applications)." This word carries the rich connotation of making whole, repaying, finishing, or making amends. It's the root of "shalom" (peace), implying a state of completeness and well-being. Here, it signifies God's active intervention to bring back what was lost, not just mitigating the damage but making the situation whole again, even better than before.
* **Eaten (Hebrew, _ʼâkal'_):** From H398, a primitive root meaning "to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite." This word vividly describes the destructive action of the locusts, emphasizing their complete consumption and devastation of the land's produce. The use of "eaten" for "years" is a powerful metaphor for the loss of time, opportunity, and prosperity.
* **Army (Hebrew, _chayil'_):** From H2428, meaning "probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength." This term is significant because it personifies the locusts not merely as a natural phenomenon but as an organized, powerful force under divine command. It highlights God's sovereign control over even destructive elements, transforming them into His instruments for judgment and, subsequently, for demonstrating His power to restore.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I will restore to you the years":** This opening clause immediately shifts the tone from judgment to grace. The "I" is God, emphasizing His personal and active involvement in the restoration. "Restore" (Hebrew: _shâlam_) signifies a making whole, a repayment, or a completion, implying that the loss will not only be compensated but perhaps even surpassed. The "years" refer not just to time but to the productivity, prosperity, and joy that were lost during those years of devastation.
* **"that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm":** This part identifies the agents of destruction. The four distinct Hebrew terms (_arbeh_, _yeleq_, _chasil_, _gazam_) likely refer to different species of locusts or different stages of their life cycle, collectively emphasizing the comprehensive and successive nature of the plague. They devoured everything, leaving nothing behind, underscoring the severity of the judgment and, by contrast, the magnitude of the promised restoration.
* **"my great army which I sent among you":** This crucial phrase reveals the divine authorship of the calamity. The locusts were not a random natural disaster but "my great army," an instrument of God's judgment, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation and history. The word "sent" (Hebrew: _shâlach_) reinforces God's deliberate action, transforming the destructive force into a divinely ordained tool to bring His people to repentance and ultimately, to experience His restorative power.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 2:25 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Metaphor** is central, as the "years" are personified as something that can be "eaten" by insects, vividly illustrating the profound loss of time, productivity, and prosperity. The locusts themselves are presented as "my great army," a striking **Personification** that transforms a natural phenomenon into a disciplined, divinely commanded military force. This also serves as a potent **Symbolism**, where the locust plague symbolizes divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. The cumulative naming of four distinct types of destructive insects (locust, cankerworm, caterpiller, palmerworm) uses **Accumulation** to emphasize the totality and relentless nature of the devastation, thereby magnifying the scope of God's promised restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 2:25 is a cornerstone passage for understanding God's character as a God of restoration and His covenant faithfulness. It reveals that even after His people experience severe judgment due to their sin, His ultimate desire is not their destruction but their repentance and subsequent renewal. The promise to "restore the years" speaks to God's ability to redeem even the most desolate periods of life, turning past losses into future gains and demonstrating His power to bring beauty from ashes. This divine act of restoration is rooted in His unwavering love and commitment to His covenant people, assuring them that His plans for their welfare will ultimately prevail over any adversity.

* [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1-5 "Deuteronomy 30:1-5 - Restoration after Repentance")
* [Isaiah 61:7](/isaiah/61-7 "Isaiah 61:7 - Double for Your Trouble")
* [Jeremiah 29:11](/jeremiah/29-11 "Jeremiah 29:11 - God's Plans for Hope and a Future")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 2:25 offers profound hope and a powerful reminder of God's redemptive nature for believers today. In a world where we often experience loss—whether of time, opportunities, relationships, health, or spiritual vitality—this verse assures us that God is actively involved in our lives and capable of reversing even the most devastating effects of past hardships. It encourages us to trust in His sovereignty, knowing that He can redeem our past and transform our present circumstances. This restoration is not merely a return to a previous state but often involves a deeper, more profound blessing that transcends the original loss. It calls us to respond to God's grace with genuine repentance and faith, believing that He can bring forth new life and abundance even from what seems utterly consumed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you feel like "the years have been eaten" by loss, regret, or unfulfilled potential?**
* **How does the promise of God's active restoration in Joel 2:25 encourage you to trust Him with your past and future?**
* **What might "repentance" look like in your life today, in light of God's promise to restore?**
* **How can you practically lean into God's restorative power in your current circumstances, believing He can bring beauty from ashes?**

### FAQ
**Does the promise of Joel 2:25 apply to believers today, or was it only for ancient Israel?**

Answer: While the immediate historical context of Joel 2:25 was God's promise of physical and agricultural restoration to ancient Israel after a literal locust plague and their repentance, the underlying theological principles are timeless and apply to believers today. God's character as a God of restoration, His sovereignty over all circumstances (including adversity), and His responsiveness to genuine repentance are enduring truths. For us, "the years that the locust hath eaten" can symbolize periods of spiritual barrenness, lost opportunities, relational brokenness, or the consequences of our own sin or external hardships. Just as God restored the physical years for Israel, He promises to redeem and restore all that has been lost in our lives, bringing spiritual renewal, healing, and new opportunities. This promise resonates with God's broader redemptive plan for humanity, culminating in Christ, who makes all things new (see [Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - Behold, I Make All Things New")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joel 2:25 speaks of a physical and agricultural restoration for Israel, its deepest fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, who embodies God's ultimate restorative power. The "years that the locust hath eaten" represent the ravages of sin, spiritual death, and the brokenness of a fallen world. Christ, through His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, has come to restore all things that were lost through sin. He is the one who brings spiritual life where there was death ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")), reconciles humanity to God where there was alienation ([2 Corinthians 5:18-19](/2_corinthians/5-18-19 "2 Corinthians 5:18-19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")), and offers a new creation where there was old decay ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). The promise of a restored inheritance and abundant life in Joel foreshadows the spiritual blessings and eternal life found in Christ, who redeems not just years but eternity itself, ultimately ushering in a new heaven and a new earth where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")). He is the ultimate restorer of our souls and the one who will make all things whole.

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

Zechariah 10:6

And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I [am] the LORD their God, and will hear them.

Joel 1:4

That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.

Joel 1:7

He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast [it] away; the branches thereof are made white.

Joel 2:2

A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.

Joel 2:11

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?