Joel 2:11

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?

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The prophet Joel addresses Israel during a period of impending divine judgment, immediately following descriptions of cosmic disturbances and preceding a call to national repentance.

The words — נָתַן (na.Tan) translates as he gives forth or raises, and רַב (rav) means great, structuring the declaration of Yahweh’s authoritative voice and the scale of the coming day.

The thread — The rhetorical question of who can endure divine judgment appears in Malachi 3:2 and Nahum 1:6, while Psalms 46:6 links God lifting His voice directly to the earth melting and kingdoms crumbling.

Why it lands — The verse establishes the weight of the Day of the LORD to frame the immediate call to return to God with fasting and mourning, demanding sober assessment before repentance.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

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?

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.
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.
Psalms 46:6 Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
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.
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.
Revelation 6:17 For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”
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.”
Numbers 24:23 Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying: “Ah, who can live unless God has ordained it?
Isaiah 13:4 Listen, a tumult on the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like nations gathered together! The LORD of Hosts is mobilizing an army for war.
Isaiah 42:13 The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies: