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◄ Joel 2:11►

New International Version
The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?

New Living Translation
The LORD is at the head of the column. He leads them with a shout. This is his mighty army, and they follow his orders. The day of the LORD is an awesome, terrible thing. Who can possibly survive?

English Standard Version
The LORD utters his voice before his army, for his camp is exceedingly great; he who executes his word is powerful. For the day of the LORD is great and very awesome; 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?

King James Bible
And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his campis very great: forhe is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORDis great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

New King James Version
The LORD gives voice before His army, For His camp is very great; For strongis the One who executes His word. For the day of the LORDis great and very terrible; Who can endure it?

New American Standard Bible
The LORD utters His voice before His army; His camp is indeed very great, For mighty is one who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it?

NASB 1995
The LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it?

NASB 1977
And the LORD utters His voice before His army; Surely His camp is very great, For strong is he who carries out His word. The day of the LORD is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it?

Legacy Standard Bible
But Yahweh gives forth His voice before His military force; Surely His camp is very numerous, For mighty is he who does His word. The day of Yahweh is indeed great and very awesome, And who can endure it?

Amplified Bible
The LORD utters His voice before His army, For His camp is very great, Because strongand powerful is he who [obediently] carries out His word. For the day of the LORD is indeed great and very terrible [causing dread]; Who can endure it?

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD makes his voice heard in the presence of his army. His camp is very large; those who carry out his command are powerful. Indeed, the day of the LORD is terrible and dreadful — who can endure it?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army. His camp is very large; Those who carry out His command are powerful. Indeed, the Day of the LORD is terrible and 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?

Contemporary English Version
The LORD God leads this army of countless troops, and they obey his commands. The day of his judgment is so terrible that no one can stand it.

English Revised Version
And the LORD uttereth 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?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD shouts out orders to his army. His forces are very large. The troops that carry out his commands are mighty. The day of the LORD is extremely terrifying. Who can endure it?

Good News Translation
The LORD thunders commands to his army. The troops that obey him are many and mighty. How terrible is the day of the LORD! Who will survive it?

International Standard Version
The LORD will shout in the presence of his forces, because his encampment is very great; for powerful is he who carries out his message. Truly the Day of the LORD is great, and very terrifying. Who will be able to survive it?"

NET Bible
The voice of the LORD thunders as he leads his army. Indeed, his warriors are innumerable; Surely his command is carried out! Yes, the day of the LORD is awesome and very terrifying--who can survive it?

New Heart English Bible
The LORD thunders his voice before his army; for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of the LORD is great and very awesome, and who can endure it?

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD will 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?

Majority Text Translations

Majority 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?

World English Bible
Yahweh thunders his voice before his army, for his forces are very great; for he is strong who obeys his command; for the day of Yahweh is great and very awesome, and who can endure it?

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And YHWH has given forth His voice before His force, "" For His camp [is] very great, "" For mighty [is] the doer of His word, "" For great [is] the Day of YHWH—very fearful, "" And who bears it?

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah hath given forth His voice before His force, For very great is His camp, For mighty is the doer of His word, For great is the day of Jehovah -- very fearful, And who doth bear it?

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah gave his voice before the face of his strength: for exceedingly great his camp, and strong he doing his word: for great the day of Jehovah, and exceedingly terrible; and who shall endure it?

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord hath uttered his voice before the face of his army: for his armies are exceeding 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?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord has bestowed his voice before the face of his army. For its military camps are very numerous; for they are strong and they carry out his word. For the day of the Lord is great and so very terrible, and who can withstand it?

New American Bible
The LORD raises his voice at the head of his army; How immense is his host! How numerous those who carry out his command! How great is the day of the LORD! Utterly terrifying! Who can survive it?

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD utters his voice at the head of his army; how vast is his host! Numberless are those who obey his command. Truly the day of the LORD is great; terrible indeed—who can endure it?

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
The LORD has shouted before his army; for his host is very great; mighty is the work executed by his word; for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; who can endure it?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And THE LORD JEHOVAH gave his voice before his army, because his host is very great, and mighty is the work of his word, because great is the day of LORD JEHOVAH and very awesome, and who is able to endure it?

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD uttereth His voice before His army; For His camp is very great, For he is mighty that executeth His word; For great is the day of the LORD and very terrible; And who can abide it?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord shall utter his voice before his host: for his camp is very great: for the execution of his words is mighty: for the day of the Lord is great, very glorious, and who shall be able toresist it?

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Army of Locusts
…10Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.11The 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?

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.

Isaiah 13:4-6
Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war. / They are coming from faraway lands, from the ends of the heavens—the LORD and the weapons of His wrath—to destroy the whole country. / Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Zephaniah 1:14-16
The great Day of the LORD is near—near and coming quickly. Listen, the Day of the LORD! Then the cry of the mighty will be bitter. / That day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of destruction and desolation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness, / a day of horn blast and battle cry against the fortified cities, and against the high corner towers.

Malachi 4:5
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and awesome Day of the LORD.

Matthew 24:30-31
At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. / And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Revelation 6:17
For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Amos 5:18-20
Woe to you who long for the Day of the LORD! What will the Day of the LORD be for you? It will be darkness and not light. / It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake. / Will not the Day of the LORD be darkness and not light, even gloom with no brightness in it?

1 Thessalonians 5:2-3
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. / While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Isaiah 2:12
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—

Zechariah 14:1-3
Behold, a day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided in your presence. / For I will gather all the nations for battle against Jerusalem, and the city will be captured, the houses looted, and the women ravished. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be removed from the city. / Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle.

2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Jeremiah 25:30-31
So you are to prophesy all these words against them and say to them: ‘The LORD will roar from on high; He will raise His voice from His holy habitation. He will roar loudly over His pasture; like those who tread the grapes, He will call out with a shout against all the inhabitants of the earth. / The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth because the LORD brings a charge against the nations. He brings judgment on all mankind and puts the wicked to the sword,’” declares the LORD.

Revelation 16:14
These are demonic spirits that perform signs and go out to all the kings of the earth, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.

Isaiah 34:2-4
The LORD is angry with all the nations and furious with all their armies. He will devote them to destruction; He will give them over to slaughter. / Their slain will be left unburied, and the stench of their corpses will rise; the mountains will flow with their blood. / All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree.

1 Corinthians 15:52
in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executes his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

utter.

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 LORDwill be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

2 Samuel 22:14,15
The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice…

Psalm 46:6
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.

his army.

Joel 2:25
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.

he is.

Jeremiah 50:34
Their Redeemeris strong; the LORD of hostsis his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

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 strongis the Lord God who judgeth her.

the day.

Jeremiah 30:7
Alas! for that dayis great, so that noneis like it: itis even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Amos 5:18,20
Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what endis it for you? the day of the LORDis darkness, and not light…

Zephaniah 1:15
That dayis a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,

who.

Numbers 24:23
And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this!

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.

Malachi 3:2
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for heis like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

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Abide Army Awesome Bear Camp Carries Command Dreadful Effect Endure Exceedingly Executes Executeth Feared Forces Forth Gives Great Greatly Host Indeed Mighty Obeys Strength Strong Surely Terrible Thundering Thunders Utter Uttereth Utters Voice Word

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Joel 2

1.He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.
12.He exhorts to repentance;
15.prescribes a fast;
18.promises a blessing thereon.
21.He comforts Zion with present,
28.and future blessings.

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army.
This phrase emphasizes the authority and power of God as a divine commander. In biblical context, God's voice is often associated with creation, judgment, and authority (Genesis 1:3,Psalm 29:4). The "army" here can be interpreted as both a literal and metaphorical force, possibly referring to the locusts described earlier in Joel or a future eschatological army. This imagery aligns with other Old Testament passages where God leads His people into battle (Joshua 5:13-15).

Indeed, His camp is very large,
The vastness of God's camp signifies His omnipotence and the overwhelming nature of His forces. This can be seen as a reflection of the heavenly host, the angelic beings who serve God (2 Kings 6:17). The size of the camp also underscores the comprehensive reach of God's judgment and presence, as seen in other prophetic books like Isaiah and Ezekiel.

for mighty are those who obey His command.
This highlights the strength and effectiveness of those who follow God's directives. In biblical history, obedience to God often results in victory and blessing (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). The might of these followers can be seen as both physical and spiritual, drawing parallels to the faithful remnant who remain true to God's covenant (Romans 11:5).

For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful.
The "Day of the LORD" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, signifying a time of divine intervention, judgment, and salvation (Amos 5:18-20,Zephaniah 1:14-18). It is described as both "great" and "dreadful," indicating its dual nature as a time of both deliverance for the faithful and destruction for the wicked. This day is often associated with end-times prophecy and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan.

Who can endure it?
This rhetorical question underscores the severity and inevitability of God's judgment. It echoes similar sentiments found in other prophetic books, such asMalachi 3:2 andRevelation 6:17, where the overwhelming nature of God's presence and judgment is emphasized. The question serves as a call to repentance and reflection, urging individuals to consider their standing before God.

Persons / Places / Events

1.The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is sovereign and commands His army.

2.His Army
Represents the forces, both natural and supernatural, that God uses to execute His judgment and fulfill His purposes.

3.The Day of the LORD
A significant time of divine intervention, characterized by judgment and deliverance.

4.Joel
The prophet who delivers God's message to the people of Judah, calling them to repentance.

5.Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, the primary audience of Joel's prophecy.

Teaching Points

The Sovereignty of God
God is in control of all events, and His purposes will be accomplished. We must recognize His authority and submit to His will.

The Call to Obedience
The passage highlights the might of those who obey God's command. As believers, we are called to live in obedience to God's Word.

The Reality of Judgment
The "day of the LORD" is a reminder of the coming judgment. It should motivate us to live righteously and share the gospel with urgency.

The Need for Repentance
Joel's message is a call to repentance. We must examine our lives, turn from sin, and seek God's forgiveness.

Endurance Through Faith
The question "who can endure it?" points to the need for faith and reliance on God's strength to withstand trials and judgment.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Joel 2:11?

2.How does Joel 2:11 emphasize God's power and authority over creation?

3.What does "His army is very great" reveal about God's sovereignty?

4.How can we prepare for "the day of the LORD" in our lives?

5.Connect Joel 2:11 with Revelation's depiction of God's final judgment.

6.How should believers respond to God's call to repentance in Joel 2:11?

7.What does Joel 2:11 reveal about God's power and authority over creation?

8.How does Joel 2:11 challenge our understanding of divine judgment?

9.In what ways does Joel 2:11 emphasize the importance of repentance?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joel 2?

11.What is Joel's Army?

12.If Joel 2 describes an imminent 'day of the Lord,' why hasn't this unmistakable judgment clearly happened yet?

13.How could David and Abishai enter Saul's camp and take his spear and water jug unnoticed by 3,000 soldiers? (1 Samuel 26:7-12)

14.Who were Eldad and Medad in the Bible?

What Does Joel 2:11 Mean

The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army

“The LORD raises His voice in the presence of His army” (Joel 2:11).

• The picture is of God Himself commanding, not from a distance but while standing among His forces—much as He thundered from Sinai (Exodus 19:18-19) and will roar from Zion (Joel 3:16).

• Whether the army in view is a literal invading horde (Joel 2:2-10) or a supernatural host (Revelation 19:14-15), the emphasis is on the divine origin of the judgment.

• Cross references underline the pattern:Judges 7:15-18 shows Gideon’s small band advancing only after the LORD’s signal;Isaiah 13:3-4 depicts God summoning warrior nations with His voice.

Indeed, His camp is very large

• God’s “camp” includes any agents He chooses—locusts, nations, angels—reminding us that “the earth is the LORD’s” (Psalm 24:1) and all resources are at His disposal.

• The scale echoesRevelation 9:16, where an overwhelming cavalry of judgment is numbered; also2 Kings 6:17, where unseen heavenly chariots fill the mountainside.

• The point: no human coalition can match the breadth of the forces marshaled by the LORD (Psalm 33:10-11).

for mighty are those who obey His command

• Their strength lies not in natural power but in obedience, mirroringPsalm 103:20: “Bless the LORD, all His angels mighty in strength, who do His word.”

• Even pagan rulers like Cyrus became “mighty” when they fulfilled God’s purpose (Isaiah 44:28-45:1).

• The verse challenges us: true might is measured by submission to God’s directive, whether angelic, human, or even insect (Proverbs 30:27).

For the Day of the LORD is great and very dreadful

• Joel links his locust-plague context to the worldwide Day of the LORD, a time of climactic intervention (Zephaniah 1:14-18;2 Peter 3:10).

• “Great” underscores its scope; “very dreadful” stresses its intensity, parallelingMalachi 4:5.

• Earlier “day” references (Joel 1:15; 2:1) crescendo here, warning that preliminaries foreshadow a final, decisive reckoning (Matthew 24:21-22).

Who can endure it?

• The question echoesMalachi 3:2 andRevelation 6:17, inviting reflection on human frailty before divine holiness.

• Endurance is possible only through repentance and refuge in the LORD (Joel 2:12-13;Nahum 1:7).

• Believers are assured in1 Thessalonians 5:9 that salvation in Christ delivers from wrath, yet the call to watchfulness remains (Luke 21:36).

summary

Joel 2:11 paints a vivid tableau: God Himself commands a vast, obedient host to execute a judgment so overwhelming that no one can withstand it apart from His mercy. The verse magnifies the LORD’s sovereign authority, the unparalleled size of His forces, the true power found in obedience, and the awesome weight of the coming Day of the LORD. Only those who heed His voice now will stand secure when that great and very dreadful day arrives.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(11)His army.--"In every stage of their existence these locusts give a most impressive view of the power of God to punish a wicked world" (The Land and the Book, p. 417).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The LORD
וַֽיהוָ֗ה(Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069:YHWH

raises
נָתַ֤ן(nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, set

His voice
קוֹלוֹ֙(qō·w·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6963:A voice, sound

in the presence
לִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

of His army.
חֵיל֔וֹ(ḥê·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2426:An army, an intrenchment

Indeed,
כִּ֣י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

His camp
מַחֲנֵ֔הוּ(ma·ḥă·nê·hū)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4264:An encampment, an army

is very
מְאֹד֙(mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

large,
רַ֤ב(raḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7227:Much, many, great

for
כִּ֥י(kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

mighty [are]
עָצ֖וּם(‘ā·ṣūm)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6099:Powerful, numerous

those who obey
עֹשֵׂ֣ה(‘ō·śêh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6213:To do, make

His command.
דְבָר֑וֹ(ḏə·ḇā·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a cause

For
כִּֽי־(kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

the day of
יוֹם־(yō·wm-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117:A day

the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069:YHWH

[is] great
גָד֧וֹל(ḡā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolent

and very
מְאֹ֖ד(mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966:Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

dreadful.
וְנוֹרָ֥א(wə·nō·w·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

Who
וּמִ֥י(ū·mî)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4310:Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

can endure it?
יְכִילֶֽנּוּ׃(yə·ḵî·len·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3557:To keep in, to measure, to maintain

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OT Prophets: Joel 2:11 Yahweh thunders his voice before his army (Jl Joe.)