Joel 2:11

2:11 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?

Joel 2:31

2:31 The sunlight will be turned to darkness

and the moon to the color of blood,

before the day of the Lord comes –

that great and terrible day!


tn Heb “the Lord gives his voice.”

tn Heb “before his army.”

tn Heb “military encampment.”

tn Heb “very large.”

tn Heb “he makes his word powerful.”

tn Or “powerful.” Heb “great.”

tn Heb “endure.” The MT and LXX read “endure,” while one of the Qumran manuscripts (4QXXIIc) has “bear.”

tn Heb “to blood,” but no doubt this is intended to indicate by metonymy the color of blood rather than the substance itself. The blood red color suggests a visual impression here – something that could be caused by fires, volcanic dust, sandstorms, or other atmospheric phenomena.