King James Version

What Does Joel 2:31 Mean?

Joel 2:31 in the King James Version says “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” — study this verse from Joel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.”

Joel 2:31 · KJV

Context

29

And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

30

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.

31

The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

32

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Read Joel 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood (Hebrew hashemesh yehafekh lechoshekh vehayare'ach ledam, הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ יֵהָפֵךְ לְחֹשֶׁךְ וְהַיָּרֵחַ לְדָם)—Joel describes cosmic catastrophe preceding the Day of the LORD. The verb hafakh (הָפַךְ, "be turned/changed") indicates transformation or reversal—these celestial bodies won't merely dim but fundamentally change character. The sun becoming choshekh (חֹשֶׁךְ, darkness) echoes the ninth plague on Egypt (Exodus 10:21-23) and foreshadows Christ's crucifixion when "there was darkness over all the earth" (Luke 23:44). The moon becoming dam (דָּם, blood) suggests a red appearance, possibly from atmospheric disturbances, dust, or divine miracle.

Before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come (Hebrew lifnei bo yom-YHWH hagadol vehanora, לִפְנֵי בּוֹא יוֹם־יְהוָה הַגָּדוֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא)—these cosmic signs precede and announce the climactic Day of the LORD. Lifnei (לִפְנֵי, "before") indicates these aren't the Day itself but warning signs. Gadol (גָּדוֹל, "great") describes magnitude and significance. Nora (נוֹרָא, "terrible/awesome/fearful") conveys the terrifying nature of God's judgment—this isn't celebration but dread for the unrepentant.

Jesus referenced these signs in the Olivet Discourse: "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken" (Matthew 24:29). Peter quoted Joel 2:28-32 at Pentecost (Acts 2:16-21), applying it to the last days inaugurated by Christ's resurrection and ascension. The signs began at the cross (darkness, earthquake) and continue through church history, culminating in final cosmic dissolution before Christ's return. Revelation 6:12 describes these events: "And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood."

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Historical & Cultural Context

"The Day of the LORD" (yom-YHWH) is a central prophetic theme appearing throughout Scripture. Originally, Israel expected it as the day God would judge their enemies and vindicate His people. Prophets shocked listeners by declaring that unfaithful Israel would first face judgment (Amos 5:18-20, Zephaniah 1:14-18). The Day has both near and far fulfillments—historical judgments (Babylonian conquest, Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70) and ultimate eschatological judgment at Christ's return. Each historical fulfillment previews and guarantees the final Day when Christ returns to judge the living and dead (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, 2 Peter 3:10-13, Revelation 19-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do cosmic signs preceding judgment demonstrate both God's mercy (warning before judgment) and His power (controlling creation)?
  2. What does calling the Day "great and terrible" teach about the dual nature of Christ's return—deliverance for believers, judgment for unbelievers?
  3. How should certainty of Christ's return and cosmic judgment shape your priorities, evangelism, and holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
הַשֶּׁ֙מֶשׁ֙1 of 11

“The sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

יֵהָפֵ֣ךְ2 of 11

“shall be turned”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

לְחֹ֔שֶׁךְ3 of 11

“into darkness”

H2822

the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

וְהַיָּרֵ֖חַ4 of 11

“and the moon”

H3394

the moon

לְדָ֑ם5 of 11

“into blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

לִפְנֵ֗י6 of 11

“before”

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

בּ֚וֹא7 of 11

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

י֣וֹם8 of 11

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 11

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַגָּד֖וֹל10 of 11

“the great”

H1419

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

וְהַנּוֹרָֽא׃11 of 11

“and the terrible”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

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 2:31 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 2:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 6:12-13Matthew 24:29Malachi 4:1Malachi 4:5Joel 3:15Joel 2:10

Test Your Knowledge

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

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