King James Version

What Does Joel 2:20 Mean?

Joel 2:20 in the King James Version says “But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face ...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. hath: Heb. hath magnified to do”

Joel 2:20 · KJV

Context

18

Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.

19

Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:

20

But I will remove far off from you the northern army, and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea, and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things. hath: Heb. hath magnified to do

21

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. will: Heb. hath magnified to do

22

Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

Read Joel 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But I will remove far off from you the northern army (Hebrew ve'et-hatsephone archiq me'aleikhem)—God promises to drive away "the northern one." While this immediately refers to the locust swarm (which often came from the north), it prophetically points to future military invasions. Babylon, Assyria, and other enemies attacked Israel from the north (Jeremiah 1:14-15, 4:6, 6:1, Ezekiel 38:6, 15). The phrase encompasses both literal locusts and symbolic enemies—God will remove all threats to His people's security and prosperity.

And will drive him into a land barren and desolate—the invading force will be driven into erets tsiyah ushmamah (אֶרֶץ צִיָּה וּשְׁמָמָה, a dry and desolate land). The irony is striking: the army that made Israel's land desolate will itself be driven into desolation. This demonstrates the lex talionis principle—measure-for-measure justice. "With his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea" describes the army being scattered east (Dead Sea) and west (Mediterranean Sea)—total dispersion and destruction.

And his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up—the Hebrew ba'osho (בָאְשׁוֹ, stench) and tseahanato (צַחֲנָתוֹ, foul smell) describe rotting corpses. Millions of dead locusts would create unbearable stench. This imagery also applies to defeated armies whose unburied corpses pollute the land (Isaiah 34:3, Ezekiel 39:11-16). The final phrase because he hath done great things (Hebrew ki higdil la'asot) is deliberately ambiguous—it could mean the enemy "did great [evil] things" deserving judgment, or ironically that God used them to accomplish His purposes. Either way, once God's tool of judgment completes its work, He discards and destroys it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The "northern army" had both immediate and prophetic significance. Locust swarms often approached Palestine from the Arabian desert to the south and east but could come from any direction. However, all major military threats to Israel came from the north—the Mesopotamian powers (Assyria, Babylon) and later Syria. Prophets consistently warned of judgment from the north (Jeremiah 1:13-15, 4:6, 6:1, 6:22). Joel's language encompasses the immediate locust plague while foreshadowing future invasions, ultimately pointing to eschatological deliverance when God destroys all enemies of His people (Ezekiel 38-39, Zechariah 14, Revelation 19-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's removal of the northern army demonstrate that He controls even the instruments of His judgment?
  2. What does the measure-for-measure judgment (invaders driven into desolation) teach about God's justice?
  3. How should believers trust God's promise to ultimately remove all threats and enemies, even when current circumstances appear overwhelming?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְֽאֶת1 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַצְּפוֹנִ֞י2 of 25

“from you the northern”

H6830

northern

אַרְחִ֣יק3 of 25

“But I will remove far off”

H7368

to widen (in any direction), i.e., (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation)

מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֗ם4 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְהִדַּחְתִּיו֮5 of 25

“army and will drive”

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

אֶל6 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶ֣רֶץ7 of 25

“him into a land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

צִיָּ֣ה8 of 25

“barren”

H6723

aridity; concretely, a desert

וּשְׁמָמָה֒9 of 25

“and desolate”

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

אֶת10 of 25
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

פָּנָ֗יו11 of 25

“with his face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶל12 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיָּ֣ם13 of 25

“sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הַקַּדְמֹנִ֔י14 of 25

“toward the east”

H6931

(of time) anterior or (of place) oriental

וְסֹפ֖וֹ15 of 25

“and his hinder part”

H5490

a termination

אֶל16 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיָּ֣ם17 of 25

“sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

הָאַֽחֲר֑וֹן18 of 25

“toward the utmost”

H314

hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western

וְתַ֙עַל֙19 of 25

“shall come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בָאְשׁ֗וֹ20 of 25

“and his stink”

H889

a stench

וְתַ֙עַל֙21 of 25

“shall come up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

צַחֲנָת֔וֹ22 of 25

“and his ill savour”

H6709

stench

כִּ֥י23 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִגְדִּ֖יל24 of 25

“great things”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃25 of 25

“because he hath done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joel 2:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joel 2:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 14:8Isaiah 34:3Deuteronomy 11:24Amos 4:10Ezekiel 47:18Exodus 10:19

Places in This Verse

Great SeaBody of Water · Modern: Mediterranean Sea · 31.80°N, 34.17°E36 verses across 14 books
Salt SeaBody of Water · Modern: Dead Sea · 31.50°N, 35.50°E21 verses across 11 books
View all places in Joel 2 →

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