Nations writhe in horror before them;This phrase depicts a scene of widespread fear and panic among the nations. The imagery of nations writhing suggests a collective, intense reaction to an overwhelming threat. In the context of Joel, this could refer to the locust plague described earlier in the book, symbolizing an invading army. Historically, locust plagues were devastating in the ancient Near East, causing famine and economic collapse. Theologically, this can be seen as a divine judgment, echoing the plagues of Egypt in Exodus. The reaction of the nations can also be linked to prophetic literature, such as in Isaiah and Jeremiah, where nations tremble at the coming of God's judgment. This phrase underscores the power and sovereignty of God over all nations, a theme prevalent throughout the Old Testament.
every face turns pale.
The turning pale of faces is a vivid expression of fear and dread. In ancient cultures, a pale face was often associated with terror or impending doom. This imagery is consistent with other biblical passages, such as inNahum 2:10, where faces grow pale in the face of destruction. The paleness signifies a loss of hope and strength, a common reaction to divine judgment. This phrase can also be seen as a type of the final judgment, where all humanity will stand before God. In the New Testament, similar imagery is used to describe the fear of those who witness the return of Christ (Revelation 6:15-17). The paleness of faces serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance, a central message in the book of Joel.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JoelA prophet in the Old Testament, Joel is the author of the book that bears his name. He is known for his prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord and calls for repentance.
2.
NationsRefers to the various peoples and kingdoms surrounding Israel. In this context, it signifies those who will witness the coming judgment and be filled with fear.
3.
Day of the LordA significant theme in Joel, representing a time of divine intervention, judgment, and restoration. It is a day of both terror and hope, depending on one's relationship with God.
4.
Locust PlagueEarlier in Joel, a locust plague is described, symbolizing devastation and judgment. This event sets the stage for the prophetic warnings in chapter 2.
5.
JudgmentThe overarching event in this passage, where God’s power and justice are displayed, causing fear among the nations.
Teaching Points
The Universality of God's JudgmentGod's judgment is not limited to Israel but extends to all nations. This reminds us of the universal scope of God's sovereignty and justice.
The Fear of the LordThe fear experienced by the nations highlights the importance of having a reverent fear of God. It serves as a call to live in awe and respect of His power and holiness.
Repentance and ReadinessThe terror described should prompt believers to examine their lives, repent, and be spiritually prepared for the Day of the Lord.
Hope Amidst JudgmentWhile the passage speaks of fear, it also points to the hope of restoration for those who turn to God. Believers can find comfort in God's promise of redemption.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Joel 2:6?
2.How does Joel 2:6 describe the reaction of people to God's judgment?
3.What can we learn about God's power from Joel 2:6's imagery?
4.How does Joel 2:6 connect with Revelation's depiction of end times?
5.How should believers respond to fear as described in Joel 2:6?
6.How can Joel 2:6 inspire us to prepare for Christ's return?
7.What historical events might Joel 2:6 be referencing with its imagery of fear and trembling?
8.How does Joel 2:6 fit into the broader theme of divine judgment in the Bible?
9.What is the significance of the people's reaction in Joel 2:6 for understanding human nature?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joel 2?
11.What does the Bible say about prayer and fasting?
12.How can the severe judgment imagery in Ezekiel 21 be reconciled with teachings elsewhere in Scripture about God's mercy?
13.What is the meaning of Joel 3:10?
14.What is the reward for fasting in secret?What Does Joel 2:6 Mean
Nations writhe in horror before them• The word “nations” widens the scene beyond Judah, signaling a global, not merely local, response to the LORD’s advancing army of judgment (Joel 2:1–5).
• “Writhe in horror” pictures intense, uncontrollable anguish—like labor pains—showing how unstoppable and terrifying God’s intervention is.Isaiah 13:8 echoes, “Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor.”
• This reaction fulfills warnings that the Day of the LORD would shake every kingdom (Haggai 2:6–7;Luke 21:25-26, “Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth”).
• The phrase underscores that resistance is futile. AsHabakkuk 3:16 reports, “I heard and my body trembled… decay entered my bones,” illustrating how even prophets felt the dread that overwhelms the nations.
• Practical takeaway: God’s judgment is real, comprehensive, and unrestrained by borders. Reverent fear is the only sane response (Psalm 33:8–9).
Every face turns pale• “Every face” signals universal personal impact; no one can mask or escape the terror.
• Paleness (literally the draining of color) portrays the body’s instinctive reaction to overwhelming fear—life itself seems to ebb away (Jeremiah 30:6;Daniel 5:6).
•Nahum 2:10 parallels the scene: “Hearts melt, knees buckle, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale.”
• The paleness also hints at shame exposed by divine light (Ezekiel 7:18), reminding readers that sin cannot hide when the LORD marches through His land.
• Application: Fear of God is not merely emotional; it is tied to repentance. Joel’s call, “Return to Me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12), follows immediately after this description, proving that trembling hearts can still turn and live.
summaryJoel 2:6 captures, in two vivid strokes, the worldwide and individual terror that accompanies the LORD’s invading army. Nations collectively convulse; individuals personally blanch. The verse insists that God’s judgment is both cosmic and intimate, compelling awe and urging repentance while there is still time to seek His mercy.
(6)
All faces shall gather blackness.--There are different explanations of this Hebrew phrase, which expresses the result of terror. Some translate it "withdraw their ruddiness,"
i.e., grow pale; others, "draw into themselves their colour;" others, "contract a livid character." The alternative rendering in the margin, "pot," which is that of the LXX., the Vulg., and of Luther's translation, is obtained from the similarity of the Hebrew words for "ruddiness" and "pot." The comparison is in this case between the faces growing black under the influence of fear, and of pots under the action of fire. The prophet Nahum uses the same expression (
Joel 2:10).
Verse 6. -
Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. Peoples or nations writhe in pain or tremble at the sight of them, lest they should settle on their fields and gardens, destroying the "golden glories" of the one, and the "leafy honours" of the other. In the second member the word
פָארוּר is
(1) generally connected withפָרוּר, a pot,rad.פדר, to break in pieces, and translated accordingly. Thus the Septuagint: "Every face is as the blackness of a pot;" the Syriac also: "Every face shall be black as the blackness of a pot;" in like manner the Chaldee: "All faces are covered with soot, so that they are black as a pot."
(2) But Aben Ezra connects the word withפֵאֵר, to beautify, glorify, adorn, and translates, "They withdraw (gather to themselves)their redness (ruddiness);" that is, they become pale. The 'Speaker's Commentary ' adopts this view of the expression, and illustrates it by Shakespeare's fancy of the blood being summoned from the face to help the heart in its death-struggle -
"Being all descended to the labouring heart;
Who, in the conflict that it holds with death,
Attracts the same for aidance 'gainst the enemy:
Which with the heart there cools and ne'er returneth
To blush and beautify the cheek again." The parallel usually cited in favour ofasaph being employed in the sense ofwithdrawing is, "And the stars shall withdraw their shining" (Joel 2:10;Joel 3:15). This proceeds on the supposition thatasaph andqabhats have the same meaning of "gathering " - gathering up, gathering in, withdrawing. But D. Kimchi quotes his father (Joseph Kimchi) as objecting to this rendering, on the ground of the distinction which he asserts to prevail between them.Asaph, he says, "is used of gathering together, or in, that which is dispersed, or net present; butqabhats is not so used."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Nationsעַמִּ֑ים(‘am·mîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971:A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flockwrithe in horrorיָחִ֣ילוּ(yā·ḥî·lū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2342:To twist, whirl, to dance, to writhe in pain, fear, to wait, to pervertbefore them;מִפָּנָ֖יו(mip·pā·nāw)Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6440:The faceeveryכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everyfaceפָּנִ֖ים(pā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The faceturns pale.קִבְּצ֥וּ(qib·bə·ṣū)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6908:To gather, collect
Links
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OT Prophets: Joel 2:6 At their presence the peoples are (Jl Joe.) 
