Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss here is the incredible, almost eerie, orderliness of this invasion. It’s not just a chaotic swarm, but a perfectly synchronized force that doesn't falter, swerve, or get confused, like a highly disciplined army executing a flawless maneuver. This precision isn't due to human planning, but a divine orchestration, revealing God's complete control even in destructive events.
Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a vivid description of the terrifying "day of the Lord," which Joel portrays as an invading force like a massive swarm of locusts. Before this verse, the prophet warns of impending darkness and destruction, comparing the enemy to horses and chariots. Following this, the description intensifies, detailing how the invaders will penetrate homes and cause the earth and heavens to tremble.
Imagine an enemy so organized, so determined, that no obstacle can stop them. Joel paints a picture of judgment that isn't just destructive, but terrifyingly effective.
Joel 2:7 vividly portrays the locusts (and by extension, the invading armies they represent) as a force of nature, relentless and perfectly coordinated.
Like Mighty Warriors
They don't just move; they charge ('run like mighty men'). This isn't a hesitant advance, but a full-on assault. The imagery of 'mighty men' or 'warriors' conveys strength, aggression, and a complete lack of fear. They are not easily deterred.
Scaling Immovable Objects
The phrase 'climb the wall like soldiers' is powerful. Walls were the ultimate defense of ancient cities. For these invaders to 'scale the wall' means they bypass conventional defenses, showing their destructive power is beyond what human fortifications can typically withstand. It suggests they will breach any barrier.
Perfect Formation
The most striking part might be 'they march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths.' This speaks to incredible order and unity. Unlike human armies that can fall into confusion, these march in perfect synchronization, like a single, unstoppable entity. Each knows its course and stays the line, making them a unified, terrifying force.
These aren't just random bugs or invading armies. Joel reveals a deeper truth: this overwhelming force is actually an instrument in God's hand.
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While the description in Joel 2:7 focuses on the terrifying effectiveness of the locusts/invaders, the surrounding context makes it clear this is not chaos, but divine judgment.
Directed Destruction
The commentators note that this march is not haphazard. Each locust, each soldier, moves with a purpose ordained by God. They don't 'swerve from their paths' because their paths are divinely appointed. The judgment is precise, reaching exactly those whom God intends to discipline.
The Scourge of God
This force acts as God's 'scourge.' Even though the invaders are likely acting out of their own ambition and greed, God uses their actions to accomplish His purposes. They are powerful, not in themselves, but because they are commissioned by the Almighty. Their 'order' and 'strength' reflect the deliberate and powerful execution of God's justice.
No Chance, Only Appointment
Every judgment, big or small, is directed and measured by God's infinite wisdom. Nothing happens by chance. The devastation is a calculated response to sin, ensuring that the consequence reaches precisely the intended recipient.
Understand the original words
gibbôr · Hebrew Noun
In biblical imagery, warriors represent agents of divine judgment or military discipline. Their appearance often signals the arrival of God's instruments of wrath or discipline against a rebellious people.
Joel uses the terrifyingly organized and destructive advance of a locust swarm as a metaphor for God's judgment. The description of the locusts as charging warriors scaling walls and marching in perfect ranks emphasizes the unstoppable, overwhelming, and terrifying nature of divine retribution, mirroring the fears stirred by historical invasions from empires like Assyria and Babylon.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria to Assyria
The northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Neo-Assyrian Empire under Sargon II, leading to the deportation of many Israelites and the settlement of foreigners in their land. This event would have been a stark warning to Judah about the power of Assyria.
701 BC
Assyrian Invasion of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria invades Judah, conquering many cities and besieging Jerusalem. While Jerusalem is miraculously spared (as described in 2 Kings 19), the devastation serves as a powerful example of Assyrian military might.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon defeats the Egyptians at Carchemish and begins his campaigns against Judah, initiating the first deportation of Judean nobles and skilled workers to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar again besieges Jerusalem and deports more of the population, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel. This further weakens the kingdom and heightens the sense of impending doom.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, finally destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining population to Babylon. This marks the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and a period of profound national trauma.
c. 400 BC— this verse
Prophecy of Joel
The prophet Joel delivers his message, likely after the return from exile but before the full restoration of Jerusalem's glory. He vividly describes a devastating locust plague, using it as a powerful metaphor for God's judgment.
This passage describes Gideon's small, disciplined army using unusual tactics to overcome a larger foe, highlighting how God can use organized, determined forces, much like the locusts' relentless march.
Exodus 10:13-15This narrative describes the plague of locusts in Egypt, emphasizing their overwhelming numbers and destructive power, paralleling the description in Joel of an unstoppable force.
Jeremiah 50:9This verse likens the invading forces from the north (often identified as Babylonians) to a great assembly of powerful destroyers, echoing Joel's depiction of a formidable and organized enemy.
Proverbs 30:27This proverb directly mentions that locusts have no king but 'go out all of them in bands,' underscoring the organized, unified movement described in Joel 2:7.
Nahum 3:15-17This passage vividly describes the destructive and overwhelming nature of an invading army (often associated with Assyria/Babylon), comparing them to locusts that swarm and cannot be resisted, fitting the imagery of Joel's relentless attackers.
barnesJoel 2:7: "They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:"
They shall run like mighty men - They are on God's message, and they linger not, "but rejoice to run their course" Psalm 19:5 . "The height of walls cannot hinder the charge of the mighty; they enter not by the gates but over the walls" , as of a city taken by assault. People can mount a wall few at a time; the locusts scale muc…
pulpitJoel 2:7: "They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:"
Verses 7-9. - The prophet, having mentioned the consternation and terror occasioned by the approach of locusts, proceeds to compare them to an army well equipped and overcoming all impediments. Verse 7. - They shall run like mighty men. This either refers to their extreme nimbleness or rapidity of motion (compare the Homeric πόδ…
What's easy to miss here is the incredible, almost eerie, orderliness of this invasion. It’s not just a chaotic swarm, but a perfectly synchronized force that doesn't falter, swerve, or get confused, like a highly disciplined army executing a flawless maneuver. This precision isn't due to human planning, but a divine orchestration, revealing God's complete control even in destructive events.
This passage is part of a vivid description of the terrifying "day of the Lord," which Joel portrays as an invading force like a massive swarm of locusts. Before this verse, the prophet warns of impending darkness and destruction, comparing the enemy to horses and chariots. Following this, the description intensifies, detailing how the invaders will penetrate homes and cause the earth and heavens to tremble.
This passage is part of a vivid description of the terrifying "day of the Lord," which Joel portrays as an invading force like a massive swarm of locusts. Before this verse, the prophet warns of impending darkness and destruction, comparing the enemy to horses and chariots. Following this, the description intensifies, detailing how the invaders will penetrate homes and cause the earth and heavens to tremble.
"Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths." — What's easy to miss here is the incredible, almost eerie, orderliness of this invasion. It’s not just a chaotic swarm, but a perfectly synchronized force that doesn't falter, swerve, or get confuse…
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Last reviewed October 2026