Joel 2:32

And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call {H7121} on the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} shall be delivered {H4422}: for in mount {H2022} Zion {H6726} and in Jerusalem {H3389} shall be deliverance {H6413}, as the LORD {H3068} hath said {H559}, and in the remnant {H8300} whom the LORD {H3068} shall call {H7121}.

At that time, whoever calls on the name of ADONAI will be saved. For in Mount Tziyon and Yerushalayim there will be those who escape, as ADONAI has promised; among the survivors will be those whom ADONAI has called.

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Jehovah shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as Jehovah hath said, and among the remnant those whom Jehovah doth call.

Commentary

Commentary on Joel 2:32 (KJV)

Joel 2:32 is a profound prophetic statement, offering a beacon of hope amidst warnings of judgment. It encapsulates God's enduring promise of salvation and deliverance to those who seek Him.

Context

The Book of Joel opens with a vivid description of a devastating locust plague, which serves as a powerful metaphor for an impending "Day of the LORD"โ€”a time of divine judgment and purification. Following this dire warning and a call to repentance, the prophet Joel shifts to a message of restoration and blessing. Chapter 2 promises the outpouring of God's Spirit (Joel 2:28-29), leading directly into the great promise of deliverance in verse 32. This verse stands as a climactic assurance that even in the face of judgment, God provides a way of escape and salvation.

Key Themes

  • Universal Offer of Salvation: The phrase "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD" highlights the inclusive nature of God's mercy. It extends beyond a specific nation or group to anyone who genuinely seeks Him. This universality is later affirmed in the New Testament, notably when Peter quotes this verse on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:21) and by Paul in his explanation of salvation (Romans 10:13).
  • The Act of "Calling on the Name": This is more than a mere utterance; it implies an act of sincere faith, trust, and reliance upon God. To "call on the name of the LORD" (Hebrew: qara' b'shem YHWH) signifies acknowledging His identity, authority, and power, and appealing to Him for help and salvation.
  • Mount Zion and Jerusalem as Places of Deliverance: Historically, Mount Zion and Jerusalem were central to Israel's identity as the place where God's temple resided and where His presence dwelt. Prophetically, they symbolize the spiritual dwelling place of God and the ultimate source of salvation. Deliverance originates from God Himself, who is associated with these holy places.
  • The Remnant: The mention of "the remnant whom the LORD shall call" points to God's sovereign choice and preservation of a faithful few. Even when the majority may stray, God always keeps a group of people who remain true to Him and respond to His call for salvation. This concept of a remnant is common throughout Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 10:21, Romans 11:5).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "delivered" is malat (ืžึธืœึทื˜), which means "to escape," "to save oneself," or "to be rescued." It conveys a sense of urgent flight from danger and being brought to safety. This emphasizes that salvation is an active rescue by God from impending peril.

Practical Application

Joel 2:32 offers profound comfort and challenge for believers today:

  • Hope in Crisis: Regardless of the challenges, judgments, or difficulties facedโ€”whether personal, societal, or globalโ€”this verse assures that deliverance is available through God.
  • Simplicity of Salvation: The pathway to salvation is straightforward: "call on the name of the LORD." This is a call to repentance and faith, accessible to all.
  • God's Faithfulness: The verse reminds us that God is true to His word. What He has promised, He will surely bring to pass, both in terms of individual salvation and His ultimate redemptive plan for humanity.
  • Embrace the Call: For those who have not yet called upon the Lord, this verse serves as an invitation. For those who have, it is a reminder of the precious truth upon which their hope rests.

This powerful verse bridges Old Testament prophecy with New Testament fulfillment, demonstrating God's consistent plan to save all who turn to Him in faith.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 10:11 (19 votes)

    For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

  • Romans 10:14 (19 votes)

    How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

  • Acts 2:20 (11 votes)

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

  • Acts 2:21 (11 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

  • Romans 11:26 (7 votes)

    And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

  • Isaiah 46:13 (7 votes)

    I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.

  • Jeremiah 33:3 (7 votes)

    Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.