Joel 2:21
Joel 2:21 in Multiple Translations
Do not be afraid, O land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things.
¶ Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice; for Jehovah hath done great things.
Have no fear, O land; be glad with great joy; for the Lord has done great things.
Don't be afraid, people of the land! Be happy and celebrate, for the Lord has done incredible things!
Feare not, O land, but be glad, and reioyce: for the Lord wil do great things.
Do not fear, O land! joy and rejoice, For Jehovah hath exerted Himself to work.
Land, don’t be afraid. Be glad and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things.
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.
Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice: for the Lord hath done great things.
He does wonderful things! So even the ground should rejoice!
Berean Amplified Bible — Joel 2:21
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joel 2:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַל
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
אֲדָמָ֑ה
גִּ֣ילִי
וּ/שְׂמָ֔חִי
כִּֽי
הִגְדִּ֥יל
יְהוָ֖ה
לַ/עֲשֽׂוֹת
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
yârêʼ
H3372
to fear
V-Qal-Juss-2fs
אֲדָמָ֑ה
ʼădâmâh
H127
land
N-fs
גִּ֣ילִי
gîyl
H1523
to rejoice
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
וּ/שְׂמָ֔חִי
sâmach
H8055
to rejoice
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2fs
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
הִגְדִּ֥יל
gâdal
H1431
to magnify
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
לַ/עֲשֽׂוֹת
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joel 2:21
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּֽירְאִ֖י
yârêʼ
H3372
"to fear"
V-Qal-Juss-2fs
This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.
Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour
Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.
אֲדָמָ֑ה
ʼădâmâh
H127
"land"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to the earth or soil, often describing the ground as a source of sustenance. It is used to describe the physical earth, a plot of land, or even a whole country. The KJV translates it as 'country', 'earth', or 'land'.
Definition: : soil 1) ground, land 1a) ground (as general, tilled, yielding sustenance) 1b) piece of ground, a specific plot of land 1c) earth substance (for building or constructing) 1d) ground as earth's visible surface 1e) land, territory, country 1f) whole inhabited earth 1g) city in Naphtali
Usage: Occurs in 211 OT verses. KJV: country, earth, ground, husband(-man) (-ry), land. See also: Genesis 1:25; 1 Kings 8:40; Psalms 49:12.
גִּ֣ילִי
gîyl
H1523
"to rejoice"
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
This Hebrew word means to rejoice or be glad, often expressing strong emotions like joy or fear, as seen in the KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, exult, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to tremble (from fear)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:31; Proverbs 23:25; Psalms 2:11.
וּ/שְׂמָ֔חִי
sâmach
H8055
"to rejoice"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2fs
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 1a3) to rejoice (religiously) 1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 4:14; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 5:12.
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
הִגְדִּ֥יל
gâdal
H1431
"to magnify"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To make something or someone great, important, or powerful. This Hebrew word means to magnify or grow, and is used in the Bible to describe God's power and greatness. The KJV translates it as 'magnify' or 'great'.
Definition: 1) to grow, become great or important, promote, make powerful, praise, magnify, do great things 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to grow up 1a2) to become great 1a3) to be magnified 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to cause to grow 1b2) to make great, powerful 1b3) to magnify 1c) (Pual) to be brought up 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to make great 1d2) to magnify 1d3) to do great things 1e) (Hithpael) to magnify oneself
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to... estate, [phrase] things), grow(up), increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower. See also: Genesis 12:2; Psalms 35:27; Psalms 18:51.
יְהוָ֖ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
לַ/עֲשֽׂוֹת
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Study Notes — Joel 2:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joel 2:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joel 2:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joel 2:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joel 2:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Joel 2:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Joel 2:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joel 2:21
- Cambridge Bible on Joel 2:21
- Barnes' Notes on Joel 2:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Joel 2:21
- Sermons on Joel 2:21
Context — Restoration Promised
19And the LORD answered His people: “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil, and by them you will be satisfied. I will never again make you a reproach among the nations.
20The northern army I will drive away from you, banishing it to a barren and desolate land, its front ranks into the Eastern Sea, and its rear guard into the Western Sea. And its stench will rise; its foul odor will ascend. For He has done great things.
21Do not be afraid, O land; rejoice and be glad, for the LORD has done great things.
22Do not be afraid, O beasts of the field, for the open pastures have turned green, the trees bear their fruit, and the fig tree and vine yield their best. 23Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zephaniah 3:16–17 | On that day they will say to Jerusalem: “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands fall limp. The LORD your God is among you; He is mighty to save. He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.” |
| 2 | Isaiah 54:4 | Do not be afraid, for you will not be put to shame; do not be intimidated, for you will not be humiliated. For you will forget the shame of your youth and will remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. |
| 3 | Isaiah 41:10 | Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. |
| 4 | Psalms 126:1–3 | When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers. Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 33:3 | Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know. |
| 6 | Isaiah 35:1 | The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 30:9–10 | Instead, they will serve the LORD their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. As for you, O Jacob My servant, do not be afraid, declares the LORD, and do not be dismayed, O Israel. For I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their captivity! Jacob will return to quiet and ease, with no one to make him afraid. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 12:16 | Now, therefore, stand and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 12:24 | Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 4:32 | Indeed, ask now from one end of the heavens to the other about the days that long preceded you, from the day that God created man on earth: Has anything as great as this ever happened or been reported? |
Joel 2:21 Summary
[Joel 2:21 is a message of hope and comfort, reminding us that God has done great things and we don't have to be afraid. This is because He is our provider and protector, as seen in Joel 2:19, where He promises to send grain, new wine, and oil to His people. Just like the land is told to rejoice and be glad, we can trust in God's goodness and love, and celebrate the great things He has done in our lives, as David did in Psalms 9:1-2.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the context of Joel 2:21 and why is the land being told not to be afraid?
The context of Joel 2:21 is a promise of restoration and redemption, as seen in Joel 2:19, where God promises to send grain, new wine, and oil to His people, and in Joel 2:20, where He promises to drive away the northern army, thus the land has no reason to fear because the Lord has done great things.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's care for His creation?
This verse shows God's care for the land and its inhabitants, much like Psalm 104:10-14, where God is seen providing for all creatures, demonstrating His loving provision and care for all of creation.
What does it mean for the Lord to have 'done great things' as mentioned in Joel 2:21?
The phrase 'done great things' likely refers to God's acts of salvation and redemption, similar to what is described in Exodus 15:11, where God's great deeds are celebrated in the context of the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt.
How can believers today apply the message of Joel 2:21 to their lives?
Believers can apply this message by trusting in God's goodness and provision, just as the Israelites were called to do, and by rejoicing in His great deeds, as encouraged in Psalms 9:1-2, where David praises God for His wonderful works.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'great things' that God has done in my life, and how can I rejoice and be glad about them?
- How does the promise of God's presence and care in Joel 2:21 comfort me in times of fear or uncertainty?
- In what ways can I, like the land in Joel 2:21, be restored and renewed by God's power and love?
- What does it mean for me to 'rejoice and be glad' in the Lord, and how can I cultivate this attitude in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land,.... O land of Israel, as the Targum, and the inhabitants of it; neither of the locusts, who had so terrified them, and had done so much mischief, and threatened more; nor of their
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things. Fear not, O land ... Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field ... Be glad then, ye children of Zion.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land. In , the land is said to quake at the approach of this devouring army; now at the approach of mercy it is encouraged, and commanded not to fear; by the same figure and in the same sense, it should not fear now as before it did quake. Be glad and rejoice: this tells us that fear not was a meosis; shout for joy, express the greatest confidence. For the Lord, who is your God whom you seek, who by me assureth you it is his gracious purpose to do great things for your good, will do great things: either this explains that last clause, , or is antitheton to it; the locusts, God’ s messengers and servants. did great things against, but now God will recall these, and do great things for Israel.
Trapp's Commentary on Joel 2:21
Joe 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.Ver. 21. Fear not, O land] O red earth, or O tilled land, that hast lain bedridden, as it were under the heavy curse of God, ever since the fall of Adam; and wast never beautiful on cheerful since that time, Genesis 3:17. Thou that hast lately been under that great and very terrible day of the Lord, Joe 2:11, who hath made bloody wales upon thy back, and laid thee as a desolate wilderness, Joe 2:3, to thy great grief and terror, cheer up now, and fear not thine inhabitants are penitents, and repentance hath turned their crosses into comforts as scarlet pulls out the teeth of a serpent; as wine draweth a nourishing virtue from the flesh of vipers, as the philosopher’ s stone, they say, turns all into gold. See 1 Peter 1:7. God will turn all thy sadness into gladness: neither shalt thou any more lie to those that manure thee (as the Scripture phrase is, Habakkuk 3:17), that is, disappoint and frustrate their expectation; but "thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee," Deuteronomy 33:29. Spem mentita seges (Virg.). Victum seges aegra negabat (Horat.). For the Lord will do great things] Magnificentius aget Deus; far greater things God will do for thee than the locust hath done against thee: so that thou shalt gain by thy losses and say, Periissem nisi periissem, I had been undone if I had not been undone. Wherefore be glad and rejoice with inward and outward joy. And because fear is a passion opposite to joy (for "fear hath torment," 1 John 4:18. and that was a rare mixture in those good women that returned from our Saviour’ s sepulchre "with fear and great joy," Matthew 28:8 see Psalms 2:11), therefore, "Fear not, O land," quit thine heart of that cowardly passion, and be as merry as mirth can make thee; for the Lord hath done great things for thee, whereof thou hast good cause to be glad.
Faith in God’ s power quelleth and killeth distrustful fears: filling the heart with unspeakable joys "and full of glory," 1 Peter 1:8.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joel 2:21
(21) Fear not, O land . . .—The sentence of the reversal of judgment has gone forth, and all nature—animate and inanimate, rational and irrational—which had been included in the curse is summoned to rejoice in the blessing vouchsafed by the Lord.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joel 2:21
Verse 21. Fear not - for the Lord will do great things.] The words are repeated from the preceding verse; Jehovah will do great things in driving them away, and supernaturally restoring the land to fertility.
Cambridge Bible on Joel 2:21
21–27. The prophet here speaks himself; and developing in jubilant tones the promise of Joe 2:19-20, first of all (Joe 2:21-23) bids in turn the land, the beasts of the field, and the children of Zion, exult on account of the deliverance vouchsafed by Jehovah; and then (Joe 2:24-27) proceeds to dilate upon the felicity which His people will subsequently enjoy.
Barnes' Notes on Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land - Before, they were bidden to tremble Joe 2:1, now they are bidden, “fear not;” before, “to turn in weeping, fasting and mourning;” now, “to bound for joy and rejoice;” before, “the
Whedon's Commentary on Joel 2:21
21. Land — In Joe 1:10, it is represented as mourning; now the danger is past, therefore, it is time for rejoicing. The land rejoices when it greens and brings forth abundant harvest.
Sermons on Joel 2:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
A Stranger Than Fiction Truth - You Can Experience by Ian Paisley | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of God to restore and empower believers. He uses the analogy of a strong swimmer who, with the help of God's omnipotence, can quic |
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Isaiah 44: Unbelief, Faithlessness & Revival by Richard Owen Roberts | In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful testimony of a man named Pete who was transformed by God's grace. Pete, a former drunken tramp, desired a wheelchair to visit others |
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(Joel) Come, Let Us Return to the Lord by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the urgency of making a decision for Jesus Christ. He believes that the end times are near, as evidenced by the current political, economic, |
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Sunday Night Meditations 21 Message and Song - 1950's by Welcome Detweiler | In this sermon, the preacher discusses how people often get caught up in worldly pursuits and forget about God, sin, and eternal matters. However, in times of solitude, sickness, d |
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Faith in the Living Word by Smith Wigglesworth | Smith Wigglesworth emphasizes the transformative power of faith in the living Word of God, asserting that it can change any natural condition through supernatural means. He encoura |
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A God Who Restores Wasted Years by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God promises to restore the years lost to sin and regret, as stated in Joel 2:25. He reassures believers that despite feelings of shame over wasted |
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Bible Survey - Zephaniah by Peter Hammond | Peter Hammond preaches on the prophet Zephaniah, who delivered prophecies during the reign of King Josiah, calling for repentance and seeking righteousness and humility. Zephaniah' |