[1] 1:4 locust Insects like grasshoppers that could destroy a large crop very quickly. Here, Joel might be talking about an enemy's army.

[2] 1:4 cutting locusts . destroying locusts These are the different names for the locusts. These may be different names for the same kind of locusts-only at different times of the locust's growth period.

[3] 1:9 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable "Holy Tent" that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Isa. 56:7).

[4] 1:13 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also "golden altar."

[5] 1:14 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable "Holy Tent" that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Isa. 56:7).

[6] 1:18 dying Literally, "being punished."

[7] 2:1 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

[8] 2:5 chariot A small, two-wheeled cart pulled by horses and used in war.

[9] 2:5 chaff The seed coverings and stems separated from the seeds of plants like wheat or barley. Farmers saved the seeds but let the wind blow the useless chaff away.

[10] 2:13 Tear your hearts, not your clothes People tore their clothes to show their sadness. Here, God wants the people to be very sad for the bad things they did.

[11] 2:15 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

[12] 2:17 porch An open area in front of the Temple.

[13] 2:17 altar A raised area, pile of stones, or table where sacrifices were offered as gifts to God. An important altar was the one in front of the Temple in Jerusalem. See also "golden altar."

[14] 2:20 north The Babylonian army came from this direction to attack Judah. Armies from countries north and east of Israel often came this way to attack Judah and Israel.

[15] 2:23 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

[16] 2:24 threshing Putting newly harvested wheat or other grain on a hard floor and walking on it or beating it with special tools to separate the hulls from the grain.

[17] 2:25 swarming locusts . cutting locusts See Joel 1:4.

[18] 2:28 prophesy To speak or teach things from God.

[19] 2:28 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.

[20] 2:32 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

[21] 3:2 Jehoshaphat Valley This name means "The Lord judges."

[22] 3:3 lots Stones, sticks, or bones used like dice for making decisions. See Prov. 16:33.

[23] 3:4 You are not important to me Literally, "What are you to me?"

[24] 3:5 temples Buildings used for worship. Here, the temples were used to worship idols.

[25] 3:8 Sabeans A group of people from the Arabian Desert.

[26] 3:10 pruning hooks These tools were used to prune (cut) branches of trees. Read Isa. 2:4.

[27] 3:13 sickle A tool with a curved blade for harvesting grain and other crops.

[28] 3:13 harvest is ripe This time of judgment is compared to harvest time.

[29] 3:14 Valley of Decision This is like the name "Jehoshaphat Valley."

[30] 3:16 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

[31] 3:18 Temple The permanent building in Jerusalem that replaced the portable "Holy Tent" that was used by the Israelites from the time of their wandering in the desert to the reign of king Solomon, when the first Temple was built. Like the Holy Tent, the Temple was the center of Israelite worship, although provision was made for it to be "a house of prayer for all nations" (Isa. 56:7).

[32] 3:19 killed innocent people Literally, "shed innocent blood."

[33] 3:21 Zion The southeastern part of the mountain that Jerusalem is built on. Sometimes it means the city of Jerusalem, the people of God living there, or the Temple.

© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.