They shall run, &c.— Bochart again shews how exactly this description agrees with the locusts; first, They shall run. Now their manner of fighting is thus described; they strike or wound, not as they stand, but as they run. Secondly, They run as mighty men: what are more innumerable or strong than locusts, says St. Jerome, whom no human pains can resist? Thirdly, They shall march every one in his way, and not break their ranks: and in the next verse, Neither shall one thrust nor press his comrade. St. Jerome tells us, "I lately saw in this province, that when the swarms of locusts come, they fly in such exact order by the disposition and command of God, that every one keeps his place, like the squares in a chequered pavement, and does not vary from it so much as a point or a nail's breadth." The same is observed by other writers cited by Bochart: and what is farther remarkable, before the body of them come to any place, they send scouts and messengers as it were to view the ground, and measure it out for their use; as the same last-mentioned writer remarks from Sigibertus, concerning the locusts which destroyed France in the year 874. The meaning of the last clause in Joel 2:8. When they fall upon the sword, &c. is, that swords shall be no match for them: such being their natural lightness and hardness, that though they shall fall on them they shall not be wounded. See Revelation 9:9 and Chandler.
Related Commentaries of Joel 2:7
Joel 2:7-8
7 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:
8 Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword,d they shall not be wounded.