Joel 2:7

Judgment

⁵ With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle.

⁶ Nations writhe in horror before them; every face turns pale.

They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.

⁸ They do not jostle one another; each proceeds in his path. They burst through the defenses, never breaking ranks.

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

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: They charge like mighty men; they scale the walls like men of war. Each one marches in formation, not swerving from the course.
KJV: They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:
WEB: They run like mighty men. They climb the wall like warriors. They each march in his line, and they don’t swerve off course.
ASV: They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.
DARBY: They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and break not their ranks.
BLB: Like mighty men they run, like men of war they climb the wall, and a man in his ways marches, and they do not swerve [from] their paths.

ÅB: Som helter løper de avsted, som krigsmenn stiger de opp på murene; de drar fram hver sin vei og bøyer ikke av fra sine stier.
OTB: De angriper som krigere,
de klatrer over murer som soldater.
Hver marsjerer i linje,
uten å vike fra sin vei.
B1930: Som helter løper de avsted, som krigsmenn stiger de op på murene; de drar frem hver sin vei og bøier ikke av fra sine stier.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Proverbs 30:27
the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation;
Read in context
Jeremiah 5:10
Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not finish them off. Strip off her branches, for they do not belong to the LORD.
Read in context
2 Samuel 2:18–19
The three sons of Zeruiah were there: Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was fleet of foot like a wild gazelle,
Read in context
Isaiah 5:26–29
He lifts a banner for the distant nations and whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Behold—how speedily and swiftly they come!
Read in context
2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan, beloved and delightful in life, were not divided in death. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
Read in context
2 Samuel 5:8
On that day he said, “Whoever attacks the Jebusites must use the water shaft to reach the lame and blind who are despised by David.” That is why it is said, “The blind and the lame will never enter the palace.”
Read in context
Joel 2:9
They storm the city; they run along the wall; they climb into houses, entering through windows like thieves.
Read in context
Psalms 19:5
Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course,
Read in context