Let the Alarm be Sounded, for the Locusts are Precursors of the Day of Yahweh. Speaking in Yahweh's name the prophet bids the priests sound the alarm from Mt. Zion, that all the community may realise that the dreaded Day of Yahweh is approaching. All the mountains, which dawn covers with light, are covered with blackness by the unprecedented hordes of locusts (Exodus 10:1-20 *). The land they have traversed is left bare as though fire had scorched it, a dreary waste; and so fast do they eat into the fertile country before them that it seems as though they were a flame licking up what comes in its way. Like horses in appearance (Revelation 9:7) the resemblance about the head and mouth has often been remarked they are like them too in the speed of their onrush. The rustling of their wings as they fly over the mountains unavailing barriers is like the rattling of chariot-wheels or the crackling of flames in the stubble. As the dreaded army draws nearer men are fear-stricken. Like warriors charging they storm the walls of the towns, keeping ordered ranks. With perfect discipline they advance, opening as they come to obstacles, and closing up when they have passed them. Through the open or latticed windows they penetrate. The locust plague is accompanied here the poetic passes into the preternatural by earthquake, darkness of eclipse, and storm, whereby the Day of Yahweh should be inaugurated. The locusts are Yahweh's host, mighty to do His bidding, before whom He thunders, because they usher in the dreaded Day that none may endure.
Joel 2:2. as the dawn: a new sentence begins hereLike dawn, spread upon the mountains is a great people. [The shimmering of the sun's rays on their wings resembles the dawn. A. S. P.]
Joel 2:3. none: render nothing.
Joel 2:5. [The first metaphor describes the noise made as they fly, the second the noise they make while they feed A. S. P.] on the tops of the mountains: to be taken with what follows and not with chariots.
Joel 2:6. the peoples: read, hearts. are waxed pale: rather grow crimson, a rarer result of fear.
Joel 2:7. break not their ranks: Heb. is dubious [??] read bend not their paths.
Joel 2:8. weapons: literally missiles, but probably here covers all obstacles to the onward march of the invaders.
Joel 2:11. camp: render host.