Joel 2:4
New International Version
They have the appearance of horses; they gallop along like cavalry.

New Living Translation
They look like horses; they charge forward like warhorses.

English Standard Version
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run.

Berean Standard Bible
Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.

King James Bible
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

New King James Version
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like swift steeds, so they run.

New American Standard Bible
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.

NASB 1995
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.

NASB 1977
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.

Legacy Standard Bible
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses; And like war horses, so they run.

Amplified Bible
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, And they run like war horses.

Christian Standard Bible
Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like war horses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like war horses.

American Standard Version
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.

Contemporary English Version
They look like horses and charge like cavalry.

English Revised Version
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The soldiers look like horses. They run like war horses.

Good News Translation
They look like horses; they run like war-horses.

International Standard Version
As to their form, they're like horses; and like chariot horses, how they can run!

Majority Standard Bible
Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds.

NET Bible
They look like horses; they charge ahead like war horses.

New Heart English Bible
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and as horsemen, so do they run.

Webster's Bible Translation
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

World English Bible
Their appearance is as the appearance of horses, and they run as horsemen.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
As the appearance of horses [is] its appearance, "" And as horsemen, so they run.

Young's Literal Translation
As the appearance of horses is its appearance, And as horsemen, so they run.

Smith's Literal Translation
His appearance as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen so shall they run.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses, and they shall run like horsemen.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and they will rush forward like horsemen.

New American Bible
Their appearance is that of horses; like war horses they run.

New Revised Standard Version
They have the appearance of horses, and like war-horses they charge.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and like horsemen so they run;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Its appearance is like the appearance of horses and like horsemen thus they run
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; And as horsemen, so do they run.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Their appearance is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they pursue.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Army of Locusts
3Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—surely nothing will escape them. 4Their appearance is like that of horses, and they gallop like swift steeds. 5With a sound like that of chariots they bound over the mountaintops, like the crackling of fire consuming stubble, like a mighty army deployed for battle.…

Cross References
Revelation 9:7-9
And the locusts looked like horses prepared for battle, with something like crowns of gold on their heads; and their faces were like the faces of men. / They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions. / They also had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the roar of many horses and chariots rushing into battle.

Nahum 3:17
Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where.

Jeremiah 51:27
“Raise a banner in the land! Blow the ram’s horn among the nations! Prepare the nations against her. Summon the kingdoms against her—Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a captain against her; bring up horses like swarming locusts.

Isaiah 5:28-29
Their arrows are sharpened, and all their bows are strung. The hooves of their horses are like flint; their chariot wheels are like a whirlwind. / Their roaring is like that of a lion; they roar like young lions. They growl and seize their prey; they carry it away, and no one can rescue it.

Habakkuk 1:8
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Job 39:19-25
Do you give strength to the horse or adorn his neck with a mane? / Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? / He paws in the valley and rejoices in his strength; he charges into battle. ...

Ezekiel 1:7
Their legs were straight, and the soles of their feet were like the hooves of a calf, gleaming like polished bronze.

Amos 5:19
It will be like a man who flees from a lion, only to encounter a bear, or who enters his house and rests his hand against the wall, only to be bitten by a snake.

Zechariah 10:3
“My anger burns against the shepherds, and I will punish the leaders. For the LORD of Hosts attends to His flock, the house of Judah; He will make them like His royal steed in battle.

2 Kings 7:6
For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.”

Revelation 6:2
So I looked and saw a white horse, and its rider held a bow. And he was given a crown, and he rode out to overcome and conquer.

Revelation 19:11-14
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Psalm 147:10
He does not delight in the strength of the horse; He takes no pleasure in the legs of a man.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Jeremiah 4:13
Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined!


Treasury of Scripture

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run.

Revelation 9:7
And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

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Appearance Cavalry Form Horsemen Horses Run Running War War-Horses
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Appearance Cavalry Form Horsemen Horses Run Running War War-Horses
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.














Their appearance
The Hebrew word for "appearance" is "מַרְאֵיהֶם" (mar'ehhem), which refers to the visual aspect or form. In the context of Joel, this word emphasizes the striking and formidable presence of the invading force. Historically, the imagery of an army with a fearsome appearance would resonate with the Israelites, who were familiar with the terror of invading armies. This phrase sets the tone for the overwhelming and awe-inspiring nature of the locusts or the army described.

is like that of horses
The comparison to "horses" (סוּסִים, susim) is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context. Horses were symbols of strength, speed, and war. In the Bible, horses often represent military power and might (e.g., Exodus 15:1, where the Lord triumphs over the horse and rider). This simile underscores the power and determination of the invaders, whether they are literal locusts or a metaphorical army, suggesting an unstoppable force.

and they gallop
The verb "gallop" (יְרוּצוּן, yerutsun) conveys a sense of rapid movement and urgency. In Hebrew, this word is often associated with swift and determined action. The imagery of galloping suggests not only speed but also a relentless advance, evoking the sound and sight of an approaching army. This would instill a sense of impending doom and urgency in the original audience, urging them to prepare and repent.

like swift steeds
The phrase "swift steeds" (כַּפָּרָשִׁים, kapparashim) further emphasizes speed and agility. "Steeds" refers to war horses, known for their ability to move quickly and efficiently in battle. The use of "swift" highlights the unstoppable nature of the force described. In the biblical context, this imagery would remind the Israelites of the swift and decisive nature of God's judgment, as well as the need for swift repentance and return to God.

(4) As the appearance of horses.--So also are locusts described in the Revelation: "And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle" (from this likeness the Italians call a locust cavalletta) . . . "and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots, of many horses running to battle" (Revelation 9:7; Revelation 9:9).

Verses 4-6. - These verses describe the appearance of the locusts and the alarm which their presence causes. Verse 4. - The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses. They arc said to resemble horses in the shape of the head; hence the Germans call them Heupferde, or hay-horses, and the Italians cavalette. This resemblance had been noticed long ago by Theodoret, who says, "If any one should examine accurately the head of the locust, he will find it exceedingly like that of a horse." And as horsemen, so shall they run. In rapidity of motion they resembled running horses (parashim). Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap. This is the next circumstance noticed about them, viz. the noise of their motion. Their motion was peculiar; it was springing or leaping, and, when they sprang or leaped, the noise they made resembled the rattling of a jerky two-wheeled war-chariot over a rough mountain-road.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Their appearance
כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה (kə·mar·’êh)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

is like that
מַרְאֵ֑הוּ (mar·’ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4758: Sight, appearance, vision

of horses,
סוּסִ֖ים (sū·sîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5483: A swallow, swift (type of bird)

and they gallop
יְרוּצֽוּן׃ (yə·rū·ṣūn)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun
Strong's 7323: To run

like swift steeds.
וּכְפָרָשִׁ֖ים (ū·ḵə·p̄ā·rā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry


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OT Prophets: Joel 2:4 The appearance of them is as (Jl Joe.)
Joel 2:3
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