Joel 2:4
"The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses,.... in their running, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; they came with, as much swiftness and eagerness, with as much fierceness and courage, as horses rush into the

battle. Bochart (h) has shown, from various writers, that the head of a locust is in shape like that of a horse; and Theodoret on the text observes, that whoever thoroughly examines the head of a locust will easily perceive that it is very like the head of a horse; see Rev 9:7 . The Chaldeans are often represented as strong and mighty, fierce and furious, and riding on horses exceeding swift, Jer 4:13 ; and as horsemen, so shall they run; with great agility and swiftness. The particle "as" is observed by some, against those interpreters that apply this wholly to the enemies of the Jews, and not the locusts; and it seems indeed best to favour them; but Theodoret observes, that the "as" here may be taken, not as a note of similitude, but as used for the increase and vehemency of the expression. (h) Hierozoic. par. 2. l. 4. c. 5. p. 474, 475.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (6 words)

H4758 מַרְאֶה
Definition:

3sight, appearance, vision; —׳מabsoluteGenesis 12:11+; constructמַרְאֵהDeuteronomy 28:34+; suffixמַרְאֵהוּJoel 2:4+,מַרְאֶהָLeviticus 13:4+; apparently plural constructמַרְאֵיEcclesiastes 11:9(Köii. 1 3sight, appearance, vision; —׳מabsoluteGenesis 12:11+; constructמַרְאֵהDeuteronomy 28:34+; suffixמַרְאֵהוּJoel 2:4+,מַרְאֶהָLeviticus 13:4+; apparently plural constructמַרְאֵיEcclesiastes 11:9(Köii. 1

Possible Meanings:
  • phenomenon (semantic_range)
H5483 סוּס
Definition:

Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow

H4758 מַרְאֶה
Definition:

3sight, appearance, vision; —׳מabsoluteGenesis 12:11+; constructמַרְאֵהDeuteronomy 28:34+; suffixמַרְאֵהוּJoel 2:4+,מַרְאֶהָLeviticus 13:4+; apparently plural constructמַרְאֵיEcclesiastes 11:9(Köii. 1 3sight, appearance, vision; —׳מabsoluteGenesis 12:11+; constructמַרְאֵהDeuteronomy 28:34+; suffixמַרְאֵהוּJoel 2:4+,מַרְאֶהָLeviticus 13:4+; apparently plural constructמַרְאֵיEcclesiastes 11:9(Köii. 1

Possible Meanings:
  • phenomenon (semantic_range)
H6571 פָרָשׁ
Definition:

Fromparash; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting (comparecuwc)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry -- horseman.see HEBREWparashs Fromparash; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting (comparecuwc)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry -- horseman.see HEBREWparashs

Possible Meanings:
  • make distinct (semantic_range)
H3651 כֵּן
Definition:

29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ 29+ (on possibly construct see2near the end); pluralכֵּנִיםGenesis 42:11,19,31,33,34; —1right, usually indecl., often as substantivea right thing, especially with vbb.dicendiExodus 10:29(J)כֵּן דִּבַּ

Possible Meanings:
  • thus (semantic_range)
  • as follows (semantic_range)
H7323 רוּץ
Definition:

7; 2masculine singularרַצְתָּהJeremiah 12:5, etc.;ImperfectיָרוּץHabakkuk 2:2+,יָרֻץJob 16:14,וַיָּ֫רָץGenesis 18:2+,וַיָּר֑ץ2 Samuel 18:21.; 1singular suffixארוצםJeremiah 50:44Kt (but < Qr. Hiph`il, 7; 2masculine singularרַצְתָּהJeremiah 12:5, etc.;ImperfectיָרוּץHabakkuk 2:2+,יָרֻץJob 16:14,וַיָּ֫רָץGenesis 18:2+,וַיָּר֑ץ2 Samuel 18:21.; 1singular suffixארוצםJeremiah 50:44Kt (but < Qr. Hiph`il,

Possible Meanings:
  • run (semantic_range)
  • run (semantic_range)
  • the runners (semantic_range)
  • out-runners (semantic_range)
  • runner (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

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