Joel 2:4
2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
3 A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land is as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
5 Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
6 Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.
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
- Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.
- KJV
- The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.
- WEB
- Their appearance is as the appearance of horses, and they run as horsemen.
- ASV
- The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.
- DARBY
- The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so they run.
- BLB
- Like the appearance of horses [is] its appearance, and like steeds so they run.
- ÅB
- Som hester er det å se til, og som ryttere løper de avsted.
- OTB
- Deres utseende er som hester;
de galopperer som krigshester. - B1930
- Som hester er det å se til, og som ryttere løper de avsted.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Revelation 9:7
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.
Read in context