King James Version

What Does Joel 2:25 Mean?

Joel 2:25 in the King James Version says “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm,...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”

Joel 2:25 · KJV

Context

23

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. the former rain moderately: or, a teacher of righteousness moderately: Heb. according to righteousness

24

And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.

25

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.

26

And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.

27

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises restoration: "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." The Hebrew veshillamti lakhem et-hashanim asher akhal ha'arbeh hayeleq vehechasil vehagazzam chayli hagadol asher shillachti bakhem (וְשִׁלַּמְתִּי לָכֶם אֶת־הַשָּׁנִים אֲשֶׁר אָכַל הָאַרְבֶּה הַיֶּלֶק וְהֶחָסִיל וְהַגָּזָם חַיְלִי הַגָּדוֹל אֲשֶׁר שִׁלַּחְתִּי בָּכֶם) offers comprehensive restoration after comprehensive judgment.

"I will restore" (veshillamti) uses shalam (שָׁלַם), meaning to make whole, complete, recompense, or restore. The verb suggests not merely returning what was lost but making complete compensation. God doesn't just stop judgment; He actively reverses its effects. "The years that the locust hath eaten" (et-hashanim asher akhal ha'arbeh) indicates prolonged devastation—multiple years of crop destruction causing famine and economic collapse. Yet God promises to restore even lost time.

The four locust terms (appearing also in 1:4) describe comprehensive devastation through successive waves of destruction. Calling them "my great army which I sent among you" (chayli hagadol asher shillachti bakhem) confirms that the plague was divine judgment, not random natural disaster. Yet the same sovereign God who sent judgment now promises restoration. This demonstrates the dual purpose of God's discipline: judgment intended to produce repentance (chapter 1-2:11), followed by promised restoration (2:12-32).

This restoration prophecy finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who restores what sin destroyed. Jesus declared: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). The gospel doesn't merely forgive sin; it restores ruined lives, broken relationships, and wasted years. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Joel's exact historical setting is debated, with proposed dates ranging from the 9th to the 5th century BC. The book contains no references to specific kings or datable political events. What is clear is that Joel addresses a community experiencing devastating locust plague, which he interprets as divine judgment and a harbinger of the coming Day of the LORD. The book moves from describing literal agricultural catastrophe to prophesying the eschatological Day of the LORD when God will judge nations and pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Peter's Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:16-21) applies Joel's Spirit-outpouring prophecy to the church age, showing the book's prophetic scope extends from Joel's time through Christ's first coming to His return.

Joel's prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring found initial fulfillment at Pentecost and continues in the church age, while his Day of the LORD visions await ultimate fulfillment at Christ's return. The book emphasizes genuine repentance ('rend your heart, not your garments'), God's character as gracious and merciful, and the call to corporate fasting and prayer in times of crisis.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joel 2:25 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְשִׁלַּמְתִּ֤י1 of 15

“And I will restore”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

לָכֶם֙2 of 15
H0
אֶת3 of 15
H853

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

הַשָּׁנִ֔ים4 of 15

“to you the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

אֲשֶׁר֙5 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָכַ֣ל6 of 15

“hath eaten”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

הָֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה7 of 15

“that the locust”

H697

a locust (from its rapid increase)

הַיֶּ֖לֶק8 of 15

“the cankerworm”

H3218

a devourer; specifically, the young locust

וְהֶחָסִ֣יל9 of 15

“and the caterpiller”

H2625

the ravager, i.e., a locust

וְהַגָּזָ֑ם10 of 15

“and the palmerworm”

H1501

a kind of locust

חֵילִי֙11 of 15

“army”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

הַגָּד֔וֹל12 of 15

“my great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֲשֶׁ֥ר13 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שִׁלַּ֖חְתִּי14 of 15

“which I sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בָּכֶֽם׃15 of 15
H0

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 2:25 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 2:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 10:6Joel 1:4-7Joel 2:2-11

Test Your Knowledge

Joel 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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