The Church Fathers on this verse

Joel 2:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

They shall leap like the noise of chariots upon the tops of mountains, like the noise of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, as a strong people prepared to battle.

Douay-Rheims

כְּק֣וֹל מַרְכָּב֗וֹת עַל־רָאשֵׁ֤י הֶֽהָרִים֙ יְרַקֵּד֔וּן כְּקוֹל֙ לַ֣הַב אֵ֔שׁ אֹכְלָ֖ה קָ֑שׁ כְּעַ֣ם עָצ֔וּם עֱר֖וּךְ מִלְחָמָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Cyrill of Alexandria

5th centuryChurch Father

Just as the vision of horses and the sight of horsemen, so will they appear: like the clamor of chariots racing across the peaks and as the sound of flames consuming the reeds, like countless strong warriors who remain silent in battle. Swarms of locusts and grasshoppers, when they invade lands and cities, are no less formidable than a fearsome cavalry. They move so swiftly upon the ground that it can be said their noise mimics that of chariots; they ascend every mountain crest, descend upon every hill, and resemble the crackling of fires that burn the dry grasses. Indeed, it is noted that their assault on the fields is far from quiet; as they gnash their jaws on their prey, they produce a deafening noise akin to a wind igniting flames.

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To liken them to a multitude of foes would not be strange: they surge forth, immense in number and unyielding, resembling valiant fighters because they are a ravenous creation, overwhelming in their sheer numbers, posing a challenge that seems insurmountable. This description equally fits the Assyrians, and it would not be unfitting to apply it to the Roman legions themselves, who, like locusts, devastated Israel, which had strayed from Christ.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

In reflecting on the Assyrians and Babylonians, we grasp the term kako (ως) not as a comparison but as an enhancement of expression, akin to the declarations of the blessed David: kol (ὡς) good, meaning exceedingly good is the God of Israel (Ps. 72:1); and: kol (ὡς) beloved, indicating highly cherished are Your villages, O Lord, who is mighty (Ps. 83:1); also: kol (ὡς) beloved, emphasizing that Your villages, Lord of hosts, are deeply loved (Psalm 83:1); and: kako magnified, denoting greatly magnified are Your works, Lord of hosts (Psalm 91:5).

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In a similar manner, when we analyze the statements regarding the adversaries, we interpret the phrase ‘A kind of horses’ to signify that they will possess numerous horses and riders, arriving with many chariots, and the charioteers will exhibit such skill that they will ascend to the highest mountains and maneuver through difficult terrain as if on flat plains. When we apply this understanding to the references concerning the rods, the phrase ‘Like the appearance of a horse’ can be deciphered with practical insight. For anyone who inspects the head of a locust will find it strikingly similar to that of a horse. Locusts are notably swift in flight, comparable to horses; they easily traverse mountains and plains, invading fields and consuming grain as if in flames. Whether in flight or movement on the ground, they embody an army in disciplined formation; for all that the Prugi undertake, they execute with cohesive strength, resembling a tight-knit military unit.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.