Joel 2:7 - Exposition

They shall run like mighty men . This either refers to their extreme nimbleness or rapidity of motion (compare the Homeric πόδας ὠκὺσ ̓αχιλλεύς ποδάρκης , and the like), or describes their running to an assault with intrepid valour and unwearied vigour. They shall climb the wall like men of war . This marks the success of their assault; they scale the walls and make good their attack. And they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks . Their march is as irresistible as it is orderly. In their onward march each pursues his way, allowing no obstacle to arrest or retard his course; while in a collective body they proceed and maintain their serried ranks unbroken. The verb עבט is probably cognate with עבת , to twist, and thus to turn aside. Thus the LXX .: "They shall not turn aside their tracks;" so also the Syriac and Jerome translate it; but the Chaldee compares it with עבוט , a pledge, and, as the deposit is detained till the pledge is redeemed, takes in the meaning of delay. Rosenmuller explains it in the sense of change or exchange, from the Qal, signifying "to receive on loan," and the Hiph; "to give on loan." Otherwise it is to "interweave" (equivalent to עבת ), "change." The sense of the whole is their not diverging to either side, nor straggling out of rank.