Joel 2:11

God's power and sovereignty Fear Judgment

⁹ They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.

¹⁰ Before them the earth quakes; the heavens tremble. The sun and moon grow dark, and the stars lose their brightness.

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?

¹² “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”

¹³ So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: 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?
KJV: And the LORD shall 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?
WEB: 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?
ASV: 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?
DARBY: And Jehovah uttereth his voice before his army; for his camp is very great; for strong is he that executeth his word: for the day of Jehovah is great and very terrible; and who can bear it?
BLB: And YHWH gives forth His voice before the face of His army, for exceedingly large [is] His camp, for strong [is] the One doing His word, for great [is] the day of YHWH and very fearsome—and who can endure it?

ÅB: Og Herren lar sin røst høre foran sin fylking, for hans hær er såre stor, og sterk er den som fullbyrder hans ord; for stor er Herrens dag og såre forferdelig - hvem kan utholde den?
OTB: Herren tordner i spissen for sin hær;
hans leir er overmåte stor,
for mektig er den som utfører hans ord.
Herrens dag er stor og meget fryktinngytende;
hvem kan holde ut?
B1930: Og Herren lar sin røst høre foran sin fylking, for hans hær er såre stor, og sterk er den som fullbyrder hans ord; for stor er Herrens dag og såre forferdelig - hvem kan utholde den?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Malachi 3:2
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap.
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Nahum 1:6
Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.
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Revelation 18:8
Therefore her plagues will come in one day— death and grief and famine— and she will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.”
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Joel 3:16
The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
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Jeremiah 30:7
How awful that day will be! None will be like it! It is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved out of it.
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Psalms 46:6
Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
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Revelation 6:17
For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
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Jeremiah 50:34
Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name. He will fervently plead their case so that He may bring rest to the earth, but turmoil to those who live in Babylon.
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