King James Version

What Does Joel 2:7 Mean?

Joel 2:7 in the King James Version says “They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, a...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:”

Joel 2:7 · KJV

Context

5

Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.

6

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. blackness: Heb. pot

7

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

8

Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. sword: or, dart

9

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall run like mighty men (Hebrew kegibborim yerutsun, כְּגִבֹּרִים יְרוּצוּן)—gibbor (גִּבּוֹר) means mighty warrior, champion, hero. The term describes military elite like David's "mighty men" (2 Samuel 23:8-39) and Gideon as "mighty man of valour" (Judges 6:12). Joel compares locusts to these elite warriors in speed and determination. Ruts (רוּץ, "run") emphasizes rapid, purposeful movement. Unlike random insects, these advance with warrior-like intentionality.

They shall climb the wall like men of war (Hebrew anshey milchamah ya'alu chomah, אַנְשֵׁי מִלְחָמָה יַעֲלוּ חוֹמָה)—ancient siege warfare involved scaling city walls. Chomah (חוֹמָה, "wall") refers to fortified defensive walls protecting cities. The verb alah (עָלָה, "go up/ascend/climb") describes the locusts scaling barriers that stop human armies. No wall provides protection; the swarm penetrates every defense. This anticipates verse 9's description of locusts entering houses through windows.

And they shall march every one on his ways (Hebrew ve'ish biddarkav yelekun, וְאִישׁ בִּדְּרָכָיו יֵלֵכוּן)—ish biddarkav literally means "each man in his ways," emphasizing individual discipline within collective movement. Despite being countless billions, each locust maintains its course. Halak (הָלַךְ, "walk/go/march") describes steady, determined advance. This phrase parallels military formations where soldiers maintain ranks and positions during advance.

And they shall not break their ranks (Hebrew velo ye'abbetun orchotam, וְלֹא יְעַבְּטוּן אָרְחֹתָם)—abat (עָבַט, "pledge/exchange/break") here means to deviate from or break formation. Orchah (אֹרַח) means path, way, or rank. The phrase emphasizes disciplined formation—no individual locust breaks ranks or deviates from assigned path. This military precision demonstrates that the swarm operates under divine command, not random instinct.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Israel's military relied primarily on infantry, with elite units like David's mighty men. Soldiers trained to maintain formation during combat—breaking ranks meant vulnerability and defeat. Disciplined armies defeated larger but disorganized forces (Gideon's 300 defeating Midianites, Judges 7; Jonathan and armor-bearer routing Philistines, 1 Samuel 14). Joel's description of locusts maintaining perfect formation despite numbering in billions emphasizes supernatural discipline.

City walls were primary defense against invaders. Fortified cities like Jerusalem, Jericho, and Lachish had massive stone walls—some 20-30 feet high and 15-20 feet thick. During siege, defenders fought from walls while attackers used ladders, ramps, and siege towers to scale them. Joel's description of locusts climbing walls like warriors would resonate with audiences familiar with siege warfare. The implication: even Jerusalem's walls provide no protection against God's army.

The description of individual discipline within massive swarm reflects observed locust behavior. Entomologists note that swarming locusts maintain remarkable coordination despite numbering in billions. They move in same direction, maintain spacing, and respond collectively to environmental cues. Ancient observers, lacking scientific explanation, could only describe this as military-like discipline. Joel correctly interprets this natural phenomenon as evidence of divine sovereignty—God commands even insects with precision.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the locusts' perfect discipline and formation teach about God's meticulous sovereignty over all creation?
  2. How does Joel's description of invaders scaling walls challenge false securities (fortified cities, walls, human defenses)?
  3. In what ways do modern people trust false securities (wealth, technology, military might) that will prove as useless as walls against locusts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
כְּגִבּוֹרִ֣ים1 of 12

“like mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

יְרֻצ֔וּן2 of 12

“They shall run”

H7323

to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush)

וְאִ֤ישׁ3 of 12

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

מִלְחָמָ֖ה4 of 12

“of war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

יַעֲל֣וּ5 of 12

“they shall climb”

H5927

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

חוֹמָ֑ה6 of 12

“the wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

וְאִ֤ישׁ7 of 12

“every one”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בִּדְרָכָיו֙8 of 12

“on his ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יֵֽלֵכ֔וּן9 of 12
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְלֹ֥א10 of 12
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְעַבְּט֖וּן11 of 12

“and they shall not break”

H5670

to pawn; causatively, to lend (on security); figuratively, to entangle

אֹרְחוֹתָֽם׃12 of 12

“their ranks”

H734

a well-trodden road (literally or figuratively); also a caravan

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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 30:272 Samuel 5:8Isaiah 5:26-292 Samuel 2:18-192 Samuel 1:23Joel 2:9

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