Joe 2:25-26 | NETfull | STEP | I will make up for the years that the ‘arbeh -locust consumed your crops – the yeleq -locust, the hasil -locust, and the gazam -locust

Joel 2:25-26

25 I will make up for the years ^{▼▼ Heb “I will restore to you the years.”} ^{▼▼ The plural years suggests that the plague to which Joel refers was not limited to a single season. Apparently the locusts were a major problem over several successive years. One season of drought and locust invasion would have been bad enough. Several such years would have been devastating.}
that the ‘arbeh-locust ^{▼▼ The same four terms for locust are used here as in 1:4, but in a different order. This fact creates some difficulty for the notion that the four words refer to four distinct stages of locust development.} consumed your crops ^{▼▼ The term “your crops” does not appear in the Hebrew, but has been supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.} –
the yeleq-locust, the hasil-locust, and the gazam-locust –
my great army ^{▼▼ Here Joel employs military language to describe the locusts. In the prophet’s thinking this invasion was far from being a freak accident. Rather, the Lord is pictured here as a divine warrior who leads his army into the land as a punishment for past sin and as a means of bringing about spiritual renewal on the part of the people.} that I sent against you.
26 You will have plenty to eat,
and your hunger will be fully satisfied; ^{▼▼ Heb “you will surely eat and be satisfied.”}
you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
who has acted wondrously in your behalf.
My people will never again be put to shame.