Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
Read it in contextRestoration Promised
Start reading at Joel 2:18 (Joel 2:18 to Joel 2:27).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
Words of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name.
2:18Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.
2:19Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:
2:20But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things.
2:21Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
2:22Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
2:23Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.
2:24And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
2:25And 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.
2:26And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
2:27And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Joel son of Pethuel is the named prophet and traditional author. Biblical references: Joel 1:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joel 2:1–2:32): The inhabitants of Zion, priests, elders, children, and the whole congregation are summoned to repentance; the promises concern the LORD's people. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem: elders, inhabitants, farmers, priests, and the gathered people are called to hear and respond. Biblical references: Joel 1:2; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:15; Joel 3:1. stated in the text
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Restoration Promised. Read Joel 2:18 through Joel 2:27 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? Words of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The opening does not name a reigning king or give a precise year. The book moves through devastation, a call to return, promised restoration, and the day of the LORD. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, the affected land, and the nations appear in the prophetic scene. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Restoration Promised (Joel 2:18 to Joel 2:27).
Start reading at Joel 2:18. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Peter explicitly cites Joel's promise of the outpoured Spirit at Pentecost. Read the promise with Acts' description of the event and the response Peter calls for. See Joel 2:28, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16, Acts 2:38. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Respond to calls for wholehearted return and communal prayer. When connecting the promise of the Spirit with the church, retain the actual words of Joel and Acts. interpretation
Cited: Joel 2:18, Joel 2:27, Joel 2:28, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16, Acts 2:38
Who wrote it, and how we know
JoelNamed in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Joel. Joel 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Joel.
What is debatedThe date is uncertain because the book gives no king's name.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joel 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joel names the prophet but does not provide a royal date in its opening. Its descriptions of devastation, calls to return, and promises concerning the Spirit must be read in sequence. Acts 2 explicitly cites the promise of the Spirit. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The warning intensifies and becomes a call for wholehearted return and communal supplication.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Words of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joel
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Joel names the prophet but does not provide a royal date in its opening. Its descriptions of devastation, calls to return, and promises concerning the Spirit must be read in sequence. Acts 2 explicitly cites the promise of the Spirit.