Joel 2:4

4 quasi aspectus equorum aspectus eorum et quasi equites sic current

Joel 2:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joel 2:4

The appearance of them [is] as the appearance of horses
in their running, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; they came with, as much swiftness and eagerness, with as much fierceness and courage, as horses rush into the battle. Bochart ^F8 has shown, from various writers, that the head of a locust is in shape like that of a horse; and Theodoret on the text observes, that whoever thoroughly examines the head of a locust will easily perceive that it is very like the head of a horse; see ( Revelation 9:7 ) . The Chaldeans are often represented as strong and mighty, fierce and furious, and riding on horses exceeding swift, ( Jeremiah 4:13 ) ( 5:15 ) ( Habakkuk 1:6-8 ) ; and as horsemen, so shall they run;
with great agility and swiftness. The particle "as" is observed by some, against those interpreters that apply this wholly to the enemies of the Jews, and not the locusts; and it seems indeed best to favour them; but Theodoret observes, that the "as" here may be taken, not as a note of similitude, but as used for the increase and vehemency of the expression.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Hierozoic. par. 2. l. 4. c. 5. p. 474, 475.

Joel 2:4 In-Context

2 dies tenebrarum et caliginis dies nubis et turbinis quasi mane expansum super montes populus multus et fortis similis ei non fuit a principio et post eum non erit usque in annos generationis et generationis

3 ante faciem eius ignis vorans et post eum exurens flamma quasi hortus voluptatis terra coram eo et post eum solitudo deserti neque est qui effugiat eum

4 quasi aspectus equorum aspectus eorum et quasi equites sic current

5 sicut sonitus quadrigarum super capita montium exilient sicut sonitus flammae ignis devorantis stipulam velut populus fortis praeparatus ad proelium

6 a facie eius cruciabuntur populi omnes vultus redigentur in ollam