ESV Reformation Study Bible – Joel 2:2
Resources chevron-right ESV Reformation Study Bible chevron-right Joel chevron-right Joel 2:2
Joel 2:2

2:2 day of darkness and gloom. This vivid word picture of the coming day of the Lord (cf. Zeph. 1:15; Amos 5:18, 20) corresponds to descriptions of the Lord’s appearances in the past (Deut. 4:11; 5:22, 23; Ps. 97:2).

great and powerful people. Complex metaphors of an army and locust invasion combine to depict the judgment and devastation to occur (1:6 note).