Joel – Chapter 2

Old Testament32 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord…" — so begins Joel 2. Across its 32 verses, two threads run through the text: courage in the face of fear and family and covenant relationships. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand.

2A day of darkness, and of gloominess, a day of clouds and whirlwinds: a numerous and strong people as the morning spread upon the mountains: the like to it hath not been from the beginning, nor shall be after it, even to the years of generation and generation.

3Before the face thereof a devouring fire, and behind it a burning flame: the land is like a garden of pleasure before it, and behind it a desolate wilderness, neither is there any one that can escape it.

4The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and they shall run like horsemen.

5They shall leap like the noise of chariots upon the tops of mountains, like the noise of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, as a strong people prepared to battle.

6At their presence the people shall be in grievous pains: all faces shall be made like a kettle.

7They shall run like valiant men: like men of war they shall scale the wall: the men shall march every one on his way, and they shall not turn aside from their ranks.

8No one shall press upon his brother: they shall walk every one in his path: yea, and they shall fall through the windows, and shall take no harm.

9They shall enter into the city: they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up the houses, they shall come in at the windows, as a thief.

10At their presence the earth hath trembled, the heavens are moved: the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their shining.

11And the Lord hath uttered his voice before the face of his army: for his armies are exceedingly great, for they are strong, and execute his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible: and who can stand it?

12Now, therefore, saith the Lord. Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and mourning.

13And rend your hearts, and not your garments and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.

14Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God?

15Blow the trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly,

16Gather together the people, sanctify the church, assemble the ancients, gather together the little ones, and them that suck at the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth from his bed, and the bride out of her bridal chamber.

17Between the porch and the altar the priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep, and shall say: Spare, O Lord, spare thy people: and give not thy inheritance to reproach, that the heathens should rule over them. Why should they say among the nations: Where is their God?

18The Lord hath been zealous for his land, and hath spared his people.

19And the Lord answered, and said to his people: Behold I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and you shall be filled with them: and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

20And I will remove far off from you the northern enemy: and I will drive him into a land unpassable, and desert, with his face towards the east sea, and his hinder part towards the utmost sea: and his stench shall ascend, and his rottenness shall go up, because he hath done proudly.

21Fear not, O land, be glad, and rejoice: for the Lord hath done great things.

22Fear not, ye beasts of the fields: for the beautiful places of the wilderness are sprung, for the tree hath brought forth its fruit, the fig tree, and the vine have yielded their strength.

23And you, O children of Sion, rejoice, and be joyful in the Lord your God: because he hath given you a teacher of justice, and he will make the early and the latter rain to come down to you as in the beginning.

24And the floors shall be filled with wheat, and the presses shall overflow with wine, and oil.

25And I will restore to you the years which the locust, and the bruchus, and the mildew, and the palmerworm hath eaten; my great host which I sent upon you.

26And you shall eat in plenty, and shall be filled and you shall praise the name of the Lord your God; who hath done wonders with you, and my people shall not be confounded for ever.

27And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: and I am the Lord your God, and there is none besides: and my people shall not be confounded forever.

28And it shall come to pass after this, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy: your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

29Moreover, upon my servants and handmaids in those days I will pour forth my spirit.

30And I will shew wonders in heaven; and in earth, blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke.

31The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood: before the great and dreadful day of the Lord doth come.

32And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved: for in Mount Sion, and in Jerusalem shall be salvation, as the Lord hath said, and in the residue whom the Lord shall call.

Important Verses in Joel 2

Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand.

Joel 2:1

And rend your hearts, and not your garments and turn to the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.

Joel 2:13

And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: and I am the Lord your God, and there is none besides: and my people shall not be confounded forever.

Joel 2:27

And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved: for in Mount Sion, and in Jerusalem shall be salvation, as the Lord hath said, and in the residue whom the Lord shall call.

Joel 2:32

Historical Context

Joel addresses judah called to repentance, and the future Church of Pentecost within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 2 of 3 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 32 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The passage starts with these words: "Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because…" The chapter ends with: "And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved: for in Mount Sion,…" Read against its original backdrop, A devastating locust plague becomes Joel's image of the coming Day of the Lord, prompting his summons: 'Rend your hearts and not your garments' (Joel 2:13)—read by the Church every Ash Wednesday. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Joel around Uncertain; commonly dated to the 5th-4th century BC.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Joel, son of Pethuel

When It Was Written

Uncertain; commonly dated to the 5th-4th century BC

Catholic Commentary

In this 32-verse passage, the sacred author describes events, speeches, or revelations central to the Day of the Lord and the outpouring of the Spirit. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is…" The passage repeatedly touches on courage in the face of fear.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1324). Here, Joel's prophecy is fulfilled at Pentecost (CIC 715). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize courage in the face of fear as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Joel Chapter 2 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that the Day of the Lord and the outpouring of the Spirit is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

Let Joel Chapter 2 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Joel Chapter 2 about?

Joel 2 contains 32 verses. It opens with "Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because…" and closes with "And it shall come to pass, that every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved: for in Mount Sion,…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles.

What is a key verse in Joel 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Blow ye the trumpet in Sion, sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: because the day of the Lord cometh, because it is nigh at hand." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Joel and when?

The prophet Joel, son of Pethuel. Uncertain; commonly dated to the 5th-4th century BC.

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