Joel 2:20

Joel 2:20, in plain English

God will drive away that devastating northern army, scattering them—front ranks into the eastern sea, rear guard into the western sea—and their stench will rise as a testimony to what the Lord has done.

Why it's here

The 'northern army' refers back to the locust plague, but now it's being removed completely, driven into the seas on both sides. The stench rising is a sign of their utter destruction and an announcement that God has acted decisively.

Who's speaking

Joel, describing God's final action

Where it sits in the story

This is the culmination of the whole prophetic word: warning of judgment, call to repentance, God's merciful response, and complete restoration with the enemy destroyed. It shows that following God through repentance leads to victory and peace.

The scholarly reading

God will drive away the northern army entirely, banishing it to desolate lands and into the seas, allowing its stench to rise as testimony that the LORD has accomplished great things.

Language and setting

The 'northern army' (הַצְּפוֹנִי, hatzfoni) is a direct reference back to the locusts—identified by their approach from the north, typical for locust swarms affecting the Levant. The banishment 'to a barren and desolate land' (אֶל־הָאָרֶץ הַצִּיָּה וְהַשּׁוּמָמָה, el-ha'aretz hatziyah v'hashumamah) employs the very language used to describe the devastated land in verse 3—poetic justice. The specific mention of 'Eastern Sea' (יַם־הַמִּזְרָח, yam-hamizrach—the Dead Sea) and 'Western Sea' (יַם הָאַחֲרוֹן, yam ha'acharon—the Mediterranean) suggests complete reversal: what invaded from all directions is expelled in all directions, utterly removed from Israelite territory. The rising stench (בְאוּשׁוֹ עָלָה, be'usho alah) is the only remnant—a memorial of judgment and deliverance, not of devastation.

Voice

The LORD, through Joel, describing the complete reversal and banishment of the plague.

Significance

The chapter concludes with complete restoration: judgment is enacted, repentance is responded to, and the threat is utterly removed. This cyclical pattern—judgment, repentance, restoration—becomes the interpretive lens through which later Judaism understands history and anticipates final eschatology. It also establishes the theological conviction that God's purposes always move toward restoration, making Joel a text of hope despite its terrifying opening.

18Then the LORD became jealous for His land, and He spared His people.

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.

Read all of Joel 2 — Blow the trumpet in Zion. A great army advances like nothing ever seen. But even now — return to me with all your heart. Rend your hearts, not your garments.