King James Version

What Does Joel 2:32 Mean?

Joel 2:32 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and i...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joel 2:32 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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
Joel provides the gospel invitation: "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." The Hebrew vehayah kol asher-yiqra beshem-YHWH yimmalet ki behar-Tziyyon uvirushalam tiheyeh feleitah ka'asher amar YHWH uvasseridim asher YHWH qore (וְהָיָה כֹּל אֲשֶׁר־יִקְרָא בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָה יִמָּלֵט כִּי בְּהַר־צִיּוֹן וּבִירוּשָׁלַ ִם תִּהְיֶה פְלֵיטָה כַּאֲשֶׁר אָמַר יְהוָה וּבַשְּׂרִידִים אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה קֹרֵא) offers hope amid judgment.

"Whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD" (kol asher-yiqra beshem-YHWH) uses qara (קָרָא, "call") in the sense of invoke, appeal to, or cry out to. "The name of the LORD" represents God's revealed character and covenant identity. To "call on the name" means to appeal to God in faith, trusting His character and promises for salvation.

"Shall be delivered" (yimmalet) uses malat (מָלַט), meaning to escape, be rescued, or be saved. The verb appears in various contexts: physical rescue from enemies, escape from danger, and ultimately spiritual salvation. "For in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance" locates salvation geographically in Jerusalem, theologically in God's presence, and prophetically in Christ (who died and rose in Jerusalem).

The phrase "in the remnant whom the LORD shall call" (uvasseridim asher YHWH qore) adds crucial balance. While "whosoever shall call" emphasizes human responsibility, "whom the LORD shall call" emphasizes divine sovereignty. Salvation requires calling on God, yet that calling itself results from God's prior call. Romans 10:13 quotes this verse to explain gospel salvation: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Paul then asks: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14). The gospel must be preached so the elect remnant can respond in faith.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 2:32 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 · 20 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כֹּ֧ל2 of 20
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר3 of 20
H834

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

קֹרֵֽא׃4 of 20

“And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

בְּשֵׁ֥ם5 of 20

“on the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֖ה6 of 20

“as the LORD”

H3068

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

יִמָּלֵ֑ט7 of 20

“shall be delivered”

H4422

properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

כִּ֠י8 of 20
H3588

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

בְּהַר9 of 20

“for in mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

צִיּ֨וֹן10 of 20

“Zion”

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

וּבִירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם11 of 20

“and in Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

תִּֽהְיֶ֣ה12 of 20
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פְלֵיטָ֗ה13 of 20

“shall be deliverance”

H6413

deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֙14 of 20
H834

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

אָמַ֣ר15 of 20

“hath said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֖ה16 of 20

“as the LORD”

H3068

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

וּבַ֨שְּׂרִידִ֔ים17 of 20

“and in the remnant”

H8300

a survivor

אֲשֶׁ֥ר18 of 20
H834

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

יְהוָ֖ה19 of 20

“as the LORD”

H3068

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

קֹרֵֽא׃20 of 20

“And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

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 2:32 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 2:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 10:11-14Acts 2:20-21Isaiah 46:13Psalms 50:15Jeremiah 31:7Jeremiah 33:3

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Mount ZionHill · Modern: Mount Zion · 31.77°N, 35.23°E25 verses across 10 books
View all places in Joel 2 →

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