Definition: A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Joel 2:2. It's a really important and somewhat dramatic passage in the Book of Joel, which is part of the Old Testament Bible. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a time of great upheaval and destruction ā a time when the world will be filled with intense suffering and despair. It's predicting a significant turning point that will fundamentally change everything. Let's unpack it piece by piece: āA day of darkness and of gloominessā¦ā : This isnāt just a normal, cloudy day. Itās a deep kind of darkness ā a feeling of hopelessness and despair. Think of the darkest night youāve ever experienced. āā¦a day of clouds and of thick darknessā¦ā : The clouds represent trouble, challenges, and obstacles. The "thick darkness" symbolizes a complete lack of light, hope, and understanding. It's a period where things are incredibly difficult to see through. āAs the morning spread upon the mountainsā¦ā : This is a metaphor. Imagine a mountain range. The āmorningā represents a new beginning, a fresh start, or a moment of renewal. The "spreading" suggests that this darkness isnāt just a temporary thing; itās lasting for a long time. āā¦a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after itā¦ā : This is where it gets really powerful. āGreat peopleā refers to a large group of people ā likely referring to Israel at that time. āA strongā means a powerful and influential group. The verse emphasizes that this isn't just any difficult period; itās a unique and overwhelming situation unlike anything the world has ever seen before. It's so intense that it won't last long, and it will continue for many generations. ā[even] to the years of many generationsā : This is the key part ā this darkness and suffering are going to last forever . Itās not just a few years; itās a significant period of hardship that will profoundly impact humanity. What does it mean in a broader sense? Many people interpret this verse as a prediction of the coming destruction of Israel, possibly during the time of King Josiah. However, it's often seen as a warning about the overall spiritual and moral state of humanity ā a time when wickedness and rebellion are at their peak, and God is calling for a cleansing and restoration. In short, Joel 2:2 describes a period of intense suffering, despair, and upheaval that will last for many generations. --- Resources if you want to learn more: Bible Gateway: [https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/bible/Joel/2](https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/bible/Joel/2) Wikipedia - Joel 2: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_2) Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other Bible stories or themes?