Joel 2:23
New International Version
Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.

New Living Translation
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the LORD your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.

English Standard Version
“Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.

Berean Standard Bible
Be 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.

King James Bible
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

New King James Version
Be glad then, you children of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the former rain faithfully, And He will cause the rain to come down for you— The former rain, And the latter rain in the first month.

New American Standard Bible
So shout for joy, you sons of Zion, And rejoice in the LORD your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has brought down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before.

NASB 1995
So rejoice, O sons of Zion, And be glad in the LORD your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before.

NASB 1977
So rejoice, O sons of Zion, And be glad in the LORD your God; For He has given you the early rain for your vindication. And He has poured down for you the rain, The early and latter rain as before.

Legacy Standard Bible
So rejoice, O sons of Zion, And be glad in Yahweh your God, For He has given you the early rain in righteousness. And He has poured down for you the rain, The early and late rains as before.

Amplified Bible
So rejoice, O children of Zion, And delight in the LORD, your God; For He has given you the early [autumn] rain in vindication And He has poured down the rain for you, The early [autumn] rain and the late [spring] rain, as before.

Christian Standard Bible
Children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the LORD your God, because he gives you the autumn rain for your vindication. He sends showers for you, both autumn and spring rain as before.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Children of Zion, rejoice and be glad in the LORD your God, because He gives you the autumn rain for your vindication. He sends showers for you, both autumn and spring rain as before.

American Standard Version
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in Jehovah your God; for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month.

Contemporary English Version
People of Zion, celebrate in honor of the LORD your God! He is generous and has sent the autumn and spring rains in the proper seasons.

English Revised Version
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he giveth you the former rain in just measure, and he causeth to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, in the first month.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
People of Zion, be glad and find joy in the LORD your God. The LORD has given you the Teacher of Righteousness. He has sent the autumn rain and the spring rain as before.

Good News Translation
"Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice at what the LORD your God has done for you. He has given you the right amount of autumn rain; he has poured down the winter rain for you and the spring rain as before.

International Standard Version
And so be glad, children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, because he has given you the right amount of early rain, and he will cause the rain to fall for you, both the early rain and the later rain as before.

Majority Standard Bible
Be 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.

NET Bible
Citizens of Zion, rejoice! Be glad because of what the LORD your God has done! For he has given to you the early rains as vindication. He has sent to you the rains--both the early and the late rains as formerly.

New Heart English Bible
"Be glad then, you people of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD, your God; for he gives you the former rain in just measure, and he causes the rain to come down for you, the former rain and the latter rain, as before.

Webster's Bible Translation
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

World English Bible
“Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in Yahweh, your God; for he gives you the early rain in just measure, and he causes the rain to come down for you, the early rain and the latter rain, as before.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And you sons of Zion, "" Be glad and rejoice in your God YHWH, "" For He has given to you the Teacher for righteousness, "" And causes a shower to come down to you, "" Early rain and spring rain [as] in the beginning.

Young's Literal Translation
And ye sons of Zion, joy and rejoice, In Jehovah your God, For He hath given to you the Teacher for righteousness, And causeth to come down to you a shower, Sprinkling and gathered -- in the beginning.

Smith's Literal Translation
Ye sons of Zion rejoice and be glad in Jehovah your God; for he gave to you the early rain for justice, and he will bring down to you the rain, the early and latter rain in the first.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And you, O children of Sion, rejoice, and be joyful in the Lord your God: because he hath given you a teacher of justice, and he will make the early and the latter rain to come down to you as in the beginning.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you, sons of Zion, exult and rejoice in the Lord your God. For he has given you a teacher of justice, and he will make the early and the late rains descend to you, just as it was in the beginning.

New American Bible
Children of Zion, delight and rejoice in the LORD, your God! For he has faithfully given you the early rain, sending rain down on you, the early and the late rains as before.

New Revised Standard Version
O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Be glad then, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he has given you food of righteousness, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Children of Zion, dance and rejoice in LORD JEHOVAH your God, who gave to you the food of righteousness, and descends to you spring rain and late rain, as from the first
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice In the LORD your God; For He giveth you the former rain in just measure, And He causeth to come down for you the rain, The former rain and the latter rain, at the first.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Rejoice then and be glad, ye children of Sion, in the Lord your God: for he has given you food fully, and he will rain on you the early and the latter rain, as before.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Restoration Promised
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. 24The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.…

Cross References
James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.

Hosea 6:3
So let us know—let us press on to know the LORD. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the earth.

Zechariah 10:1
Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.

Deuteronomy 11:14
then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil.

Jeremiah 5:24
They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

Psalm 65:9-13
You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. / You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth. / You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty. ...

Isaiah 30:23
Then He will send rain for the seed that you have sown in the ground, and the food that comes from your land will be rich and plentiful. On that day your cattle will graze in open pastures.

Matthew 5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Leviticus 26:4
I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit.

Job 5:10
He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields.

Ezekiel 34:26
I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season—showers of blessing.

Psalm 68:9
You sent abundant rain, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36
then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.

Isaiah 55:10
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,


Treasury of Scripture

Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he has given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

ye children.

Psalm 149:2
Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.

Lamentations 4:2
The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter!

Zechariah 9:13
When I have bent Judah for me, filled the bow with Ephraim, and raised up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece, and made thee as the sword of a mighty man.

rejoice.

Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

Psalm 32:11
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Psalm 33:1
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

the former, etc.

Joel 2:28,29
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: …

Deuteronomy 32:2
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Job 33:23
If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:

moderately.

Leviticus 26:4
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Deuteronomy 11:14
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.

Deuteronomy 28:12
The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

in.

Amos 4:7
And also I have withholden the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece was rained upon, and the piece whereupon it rained not withered.

Jump to Previous
Abundant Autumn Cause Causes Causeth Children Early First Former Gives Glad Latter Measure Poured Rain Rains Rejoice Righteousness Sends Showers Vindication Zion
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Abundant Autumn Cause Causes Causeth Children Early First Former Gives Glad Latter Measure Poured Rain Rains Rejoice Righteousness Sends Showers Vindication Zion
Joel 2
1. He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.
12. He exhorts to repentance;
15. prescribes a fast;
18. promises a blessing thereon.
21. He comforts Zion with present,
28. and future blessings.














Be glad
The Hebrew root for "be glad" is "שָׂמַח" (samach), which conveys a deep sense of joy and exultation. In the context of Joel, this call to gladness is not merely an emotional response but a spiritual directive. It is a command to the people of Zion to recognize and celebrate the faithfulness of God. Historically, this joy is rooted in the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God's provision and protection are reasons for celebration.

O children of Zion
"Zion" refers to the hill of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built, and by extension, it represents the people of Israel. The phrase "children of Zion" emphasizes a familial relationship with God, highlighting their identity as His chosen people. This term is rich with covenantal significance, reminding the Israelites of their unique position and the promises God made to their forefathers.

and rejoice in the LORD your God
The word "rejoice" is closely related to "be glad," but it carries a connotation of outward expression. The Hebrew root "גִּיל" (gil) suggests a spinning or leaping for joy. This rejoicing is directed "in the LORD your God," indicating that the source of their joy is not in their circumstances but in their relationship with Yahweh. This phrase underscores the personal and communal relationship with God, who is both a personal deity ("your God") and the sovereign LORD.

for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication
The "autumn rains" are the early rains that prepare the ground for planting. In Hebrew, "מוֹרֶה" (moreh) refers to these rains, which are essential for agricultural success. The phrase "for your vindication" suggests that these rains are a sign of God's favor and a reversal of previous judgments. Historically, the withholding of rain was seen as a divine punishment, so the giving of rain signifies restoration and blessing.

He sends you showers, both autumn and spring rains
The "showers" refer to the abundant provision of rain necessary for a successful harvest. The "spring rains," or "מַלְקוֹשׁ" (malkosh), are the latter rains that ensure the crops reach maturity. Together, the autumn and spring rains represent the fullness of God's provision. This agricultural imagery is deeply rooted in the agrarian society of ancient Israel, where the cycles of rain were critical for survival and prosperity.

as before
This phrase indicates a return to a previous state of blessing and normalcy. It suggests a restoration to the conditions that existed before the locust plague and drought described earlier in Joel. Theologically, it points to God's faithfulness in restoring His people to a state of blessing and abundance, reaffirming His covenant promises.

(23) Ye children of Zion--i.e., they were called upon to manifest their rejoicings in the place where the trumpet had been sounded for the proclamation of the fast.

The former rain moderately.--St. Paul adduces the gift of the rain as a witness to the people of Lystra of the existence and beneficence of God, who "gave us rain from heaven, filling our hearts with food and gladness." The possibility of the interpretation of "the former rain moderately" out of the Hebrew words by a "teacher of righteousness," as in the Vulg. and in our margin, has led to the connection of this passage with a prophetic intimation of the advent of the Messiah.

In the first month.--Better, as at first, as before.

Verse 23. - Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God. They had keenly felt and deeply bewailed the unparalleled catastrophe which had befallen laud and cattle and inhabitants, and also themselves among the number. The sons of Zion are the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the capital, in which was the national sanctuary for the worship of Jehovah. Not only are the inhabitants of Jerusalem included, but, as the capital often stood for the whole country, all the inhabitants of Judah are comprehended under the "children of Zion." The ground of their gladness and joy in God is: For he hath given you the former rain moderately (margin, a teacher of righteousness, or for righteousness), and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Omitting for the present the disputed word hammoreh, we have the great blessing which was so much needed. The blessing bestowed was twofold - negative in the destruction of the locusts and deliverance from their ravages; and positive in the plentiful rainfall, geshem, the great and beneficent fertilizer of the dried-up and desolated land. But this abundant rain is more closely particularized as the early or October rain, moreh, which, falling at the seed-time in autumn, promoted the germination and growth of the seed just sown; and as the latter, or March rain, malqosh, which, bestowed in the spring season a short time before harvest, matured the crops. The geshem, or shower, may be regarded here as the generic name, and of these the two species are the moreh and malqosh, from laqash, to be ripe or late, just explained. The word hammoreh in the early part of the verse is translated

(1) "teacher" in the Chaldee and Vulgate, by Jerome, by Abar-banel among the Hebrew commentators, who refers it to Messiah; among modern commentators by Hofman, referring it to Joel himself, by Hengstenberg, who understands it of the ideal teacher or collective body of messengers from God. Keil also renders, "the teacher for righteousness," and applies the expression to the instructions of Moses, the priests, and the prophets, not excluding Messiah himself. He also understands the prophet to speak of both spiritual and material blessings, giving a fuller exposition of the latter in vers. 23-27, and of the former in vers. 28-32 and in the last chapter. The two considerations that seem to have most weight with Keil in inclining him to this exposition arc the presence of the article with moreh, and the non-physical sense of litsdaqah; hence Ewald's "rain for righteousness," i.e. a sign from God of their being adopted again into righteousness. But weight-stones and scales have tsedeq attached in the physical sense of correctness, while ethical rightness is only an inference or subordinate notion (see Leviticus 19:36; Psalm 23:3). The translation

(2) of "rain" is, we think, justly entitled to the preference from the context. Among promises of repairing the damage done by the locusts, it would be obviously out of place to introduce the notion of "a teacher." Of the Hebrew expositors, Aben Ezra and Kimchi both understand the word in the sense of rain; the former says, "In my opinion it is the same as yoreh;" and the latter, "Hammoreh is the same as yoreh." So also Calvin, Rosenmuller, Hitzig, and Wunsche. The etymology also is favourable to this view, for both yoreh and moreh are from the verb yorah, to throw (Hiph., cause to throw), throw down as drops, wet, besprinkle, equivalent to זרק, and as the Qal and Hiph. sometimes coincide in meaning, we may safely conclude moreh synonymous with yoreh, the meaning of which is unquestionably "rain," specially ὑετὸς πρώιμος. (a) Rain in right measure, then, we take to be the true meaning; not (b) rain according to righteousness, as though God, in accordance with his righteousness, repented of the evil he thought to do unto them, and, in consequence of their forsaking their sins, sent the fertilizing rains. Again, barishon is rendered by some (a) as if keba-rishon were equivalent to "as in the former time;" thus the LXX., καθὼς ἔμπροσθεν; Vulgate, Sicuti in principio. But we prefer (b) the rendering, "in the first month;" so the Chaldee, "In the month Nisan, or March." The Hebrew commentators explain it in like manner; thus Rashi, "In the first month - in Nisan;" Aben Ezra, "And the meaning of 'in the first' is in the first month;" Kimchi, "The explanation of the rain that is called moreb, he sends it down to you in its season, which is Marchesvan (or October), and he causes to descend to you in like manner the malqosh (the latter rain) in its season in the first month, which is Nisan." The blessing of the rain was thus greatly enhanced by being sent in the right measure and at the suitable season.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Be glad,
גִּ֤ילוּ (gî·lū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 1523: To spin round, rejoice, fear

O children
וּבְנֵ֣י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Zion,
צִיּ֗וֹן (ṣî·yō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6726: Zion -- a mountain in Jerusalem, also a name for Jerusalem

and rejoice
וְשִׂמְחוּ֙ (wə·śim·ḥū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

in the LORD
בַּיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God,
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

He has given
נָתַ֥ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

you
לָכֶ֛ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

the autumn rains
הַמּוֹרֶ֖ה (ham·mō·w·reh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4175: An archer, teacher, teaching, the early rain

for your vindication.
לִצְדָקָ֑ה (liṣ·ḏā·qāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6666: Rightness, subjectively, objectively

He sends
וַיּ֣וֹרֶד (way·yō·w·reḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

you
לָכֶ֗ם (lā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

showers,
גֶּ֛שֶׁם (ge·šem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1653: Rain, shower

both autumn
מוֹרֶ֥ה (mō·w·reh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4175: An archer, teacher, teaching, the early rain

and spring rains,
וּמַלְק֖וֹשׁ (ū·mal·qō·wōš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4456: The spring rain, eloquence

as before.
בָּרִאשֽׁוֹן׃ (bā·ri·šō·wn)
Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank


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OT Prophets: Joel 2:23 Be glad then you children of Zion (Jl Joe.)
Joel 2:22
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