Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophecy vividly describes the effect of the approaching dread. It's not just about fear, but about a physical transformation: faces aren't merely pale, they become "black" or "sooty," a chilling visual of terror so profound it drains all life and hope. This intense imagery underscores that this isn't a natural disaster, but a divine judgment that fundamentally alters the appearance of those facing it.
Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The prophet Joel describes a terrifying locust plague as God's judgment, portraying it as an unstoppable army advancing on the land. This impending disaster is so overwhelming that it causes widespread panic and despair, leading to the collapse of civil order and rendering any human defense utterly useless. The people are left in anguish, their faces drained of color, as they face utter destruction.
Imagine seeing an unstoppable force approaching, one that promises utter devastation. Joel uses vivid imagery to capture this absolute dread.
Joel 2:6 describes a scene of profound terror. The phrase 'peoples are in anguish' uses a strong Hebrew word often associated with the intense pain of childbirth. This isn't just mild worry; it's a deep, visceral suffering.
The Physical Manifestation of Fear
'All faces grow pale' speaks to the physical effects of extreme fear. The color drains from their faces, a sign of shock and the body's overwhelming response to impending doom. This imagery paints a picture of total helplessness in the face of an overwhelming threat. The ancient commentators noted this could mean faces turning dark, like a pot blackened by fire, or literally losing their healthy color and becoming deathly pale. Either way, the message is clear: this is a scene of ultimate despair.
While Joel uses the imagery of a devastating locust swarm, the true terror he describes points to something even greater.
Joel’s description of the approaching force is so terrifying that it can be compared to the pain of childbirth (anguish) and the physical paling of fear. However, the context of Joel 2 reveals this is not just about locusts.
A Divine Judgment is Coming
The verses leading up to and following this one describe the 'day of the LORD' (Joel 2:1, 11). This refers to a time when God actively intervenes in history to judge sin and vindicate His righteousness. The locusts, or any invading army, become a potent symbol of this divine judgment.
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Therefore, the 'anguish' and 'pale faces' aren't merely reactions to insects or an enemy army; they are the response of humanity to the awesome, terrifying holiness of God making His presence known through judgment. The sheer scale and inevitability of this divine action leave people utterly undone.
Understand the original words
chîylâh · Hebrew Noun
Refers to severe mental or physical distress, often associated with judgment, divine visitation, or impending doom. It describes the overwhelming reaction of creatures when confronted by the holiness or wrath of God.
pānîym qāḇṣû pā’rûr · Hebrew Verb phrase
In a biblical context, it often refers to the fading of color or vitality in the face of fear, judgment, or death. It serves as a physical indicator of profound terror or human helplessness before divine power.
Joel's vivid description of an invading force, whether literal locusts or a metaphor for human armies like the Assyrians or Babylonians, paints a picture of overwhelming terror. The 'blackness' on people's faces reflects a profound, visceral fear stemming from the very real historical experiences of invasion, destruction, and exile that shaped their understanding of divine judgment.
c. 800-750 BC— this verse
Prophetic Ministry of Joel
Joel prophesied during a time of agricultural crisis and potential foreign threat, likely in the Southern Kingdom of Judah. His message blends immediate concerns with eschatological visions of judgment and restoration.
c. 740-701 BC
Assyrian Empire's Height
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under rulers like Tiglath-Pileser III and Sargon II, expanded aggressively, conquering vast territories and intimidating smaller kingdoms in the Levant. Their military might was legendary and instilled fear across the region.
c. 701 BC
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah
The Assyrian king Sennacherib invaded Judah, conquering many fortified cities. Jerusalem was besieged but miraculously spared, a pivotal event that deeply affected the collective memory and prophetic imagination of the people.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon began its rise, culminating in the first deportation of Jewish exiles, including prominent figures and King Jehoiachin. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This catastrophic event represented the shattering of national identity and religious hope for many Jews.
This passage describes the devastating locust plague in Egypt, directly paralleling the description in Joel of a swarming, destructive force that causes widespread terror and ruin.
Jeremiah 30:6This verse vividly depicts the same kind of widespread panic and distress, with people in anguish and their faces growing pale, mirroring the reaction to the impending judgment described in Joel.
Nahum 2:10This passage uses almost identical imagery to describe the terror of an invading army, noting that 'all faces grow pale' and 'all loins are in anguish,' reinforcing the visceral fear associated with overwhelming destruction.
Isaiah 13:8This verse speaks of the terror associated with the day of the Lord, stating that 'all faces grow pale' and that people will be in anguish like a woman in labor, connecting the immediate fear in Joel to the broader eschatological judgment.
jfbJoel 2:6: "Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness."
- much pained—namely, with terror. The Arab proverb is, "More terrible than the locusts."faces shall gather blackness—(Isa 13:8; Jer 30:6; Na 2:10). Maurer translates, "withdraw their brightness," that is, wax pale, lose color (compare Joe 2:10; Joe 3:15).
pulpitJoel 2:6: "Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness."
Verse 6. - Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. Peoples or nations writhe in pain or tremble at the sight of them, lest they should settle on their fields and gardens, destroying the "golden glories" of the one, and the "leafy honours" of the other. In the second member the word פָארוּר is (1) generally connected with פָרוּר, a pot, rad. פדר, to break…
The prophecy vividly describes the effect of the approaching dread. It's not just about fear, but about a physical transformation: faces aren't merely pale, they become "black" or "sooty," a chilling visual of terror so profound it drains all life and hope. This intense imagery underscores that this isn't a natural disaster, but a divine judgment that fundamentally alters the appearance of those facing it.
The prophet Joel describes a terrifying locust plague as God's judgment, portraying it as an unstoppable army advancing on the land. This impending disaster is so overwhelming that it causes widespread panic and despair, leading to the collapse of civil order and rendering any human defense utterly useless. The people are left in anguish, their faces drained of color, as they face utter destruction.
The prophet Joel describes a terrifying locust plague as God's judgment, portraying it as an unstoppable army advancing on the land. This impending disaster is so overwhelming that it causes widespread panic and despair, leading to the collapse of civil order and rendering any human defense utterly useless. The people are left in anguish, their faces drained of color, as they face utter destruction.
"Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale." — The prophecy vividly describes the effect of the approaching dread. It's not just about fear, but about a physical transformation: faces aren't merely pale, they become "black" or "sooty," a chilli…
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Last reviewed October 2026