diff --git a/tn_JOL.tsv b/tn_JOL.tsv index 11051b0812..a5c74fca7f 100644 --- a/tn_JOL.tsv +++ b/tn_JOL.tsv @@ -1,33 +1,33 @@ Reference ID Tags SupportReference Quote Occurrence Note -front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the book of Joel\n\n1:1–20 Joel describes the effects of the locust attack and calls the people to mourn\n2:1–11 Joel depicts the locust swarm as an army and the attack as the “day of Yahweh”\n2:12–17 Joel and Yahweh call the people of Judah to repentance\n2:18–27 Yahweh promises to have mercy on his people and restore them\n2:28–32 Yahweh says that in the future he will pour out his Spirit\n3:1–21 Yahweh declares that he will judge the nations\n\n### What is the book of Joel about?\n\nThe main idea in the book of Joel is how the people of Judah should understand the spiritual significance of an unprecedented locust attack. The prophet Joel told them to understand it as an expression of the “day of Yahweh,” the occasion on which Yahweh would judge people and punish them for disobedience or reward them for obedience. Joel did not mean that the end of the world had come, but that the people should recognize that Yahweh was acting in judgment as he would at the end of the world. As the book progresses, Joel moves from his spiritual interpretation of the current locust plague to talking about the actual end of the world and final judgment. The apostles of Jesus understood some of Joel’s prophecies to have been fulfilled in their own day. In Acts 2:17 and 2:21, Peter quoted Joel 2:28 and 2:32, where Yahweh says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” and “everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved.”\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThe traditional title of this book is “The Book of Joel” or just “Joel.” Translators may also call it the “The Message from Joel” or “The Sayings of Joel.”\n\n### Who wrote the book of Joel?\n\nThis book contains the prophecies of an Israelite named Joel. The title of the book states that he was the “son of Pethuel,” but it gives no further information about him. The book also does not tell when Joel prophesied.\n\n## Part 2: Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### The locust attack\n\nLocust attacks occurred often in the ancient Near East. Certain kinds of grasshoppers would come in countless numbers. There would be so many that they would darken the sky like a black cloud that blocked the sunlight. They often came after a long period of no rain. They came down on whatever crops were surviving in the fields and stripped them bare of their leaves. The locusts could not be stopped and they caused terrible damage. There are various names for locusts in the original language of the Old Testament. It is uncertain whether these refer to different kinds of locusts or to the same kind of locust in different stages of growth. For this reason, versions of the Bible differ in how they translate these terms. See the note to 1:4 for a suggestion of how you might do this in your translation.\n\n## Part 3: Translation Issues\n\n### Representing the poetry of the Book of Joel in your translation\n\nThe poetry in the book of Joel consists almost entirely of paired phrases that both mean basically the same thing. The second phrase emphasizes the meaning of the first phrase by repeating the same idea in different words. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. It may be clearer in your language to connect the phrases with a word other than **and** in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. For example, in 1:2, you might say, “Hear this, you elders! Yes, listen, all of the dwellers of the land!” In 1:5, you might say, “Wake up, drunkards, and weep! Indeed, wail, all of the drinkers of wine.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])\n\n### Litanies\n\nIn two places in the book, 1:4 and 2:9, Joel uses a repetitive series of similarly structured sentences for emphasis. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” While in each case these brief litanies consist of two lines of poetry, in your translation you may wish to represent them as separate shorter lines, as illustrated here. This would show the rhetorical device that Joel is employing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]])\n\n1:4 The residue of the cutting locust,\n\nthe swarming locust has eaten,\n\nand the residue of the swarming locust,\n\nthe hopping locust has eaten,\n\nand the residue of the hopping locust,\n\nthe destroying locust has eaten.\n\n2:9 Upon the city they rush,\n\non the wall they run,\n\ninto the houses they climb,\n\nthrough the windows they enter like thieves.\n\n### Speakers describe results before giving reasons\n\nThroughout their speeches in the book, Joel and Yahweh typically describe a result before giving the reason for it. If it would be more natural in your language, in all or some of these cases, you could reverse the order and first present the phrase or clause that gives the reason and then present the phrase or clause that presents the result. For example, in 1:17, instead of saying, “The storehouses are desolate, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up,” you could say, “Because the grain has dried up, the storehouses are desolate, the granaries have been broken down.” In 2:21, rather than saying, “Do not fear, land! Be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has been great in doing,” you could say, “Yahweh has been great in doing! So do not fear, land. Be glad and rejoice.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])\n\n### Travel descriptions marked for change in elevation\n\nIn several places in the book (1:6, 3:2, 3:9, 3:11, 3:12), the ULT has the terms “up” or “down” in descriptions of travel. That shows how Hebrew marked such descriptions for changes in elevation. If your language does not do that, you can use expressions without “up” and “down,” for example, in 1:6, “a nation has come against my land” rather than “a nation has come up against my land.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) -1:intro q2ev 0 # Joel 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Joel describes the effects of the locust attack and calls the people to mourn.\n\nAfter the book title in 1:1, the ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than its usual text because it is poetry.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Locusts\n\nThis book starts very dramatically with the imagery of the locusts and the devastation that they produce. There are five different kinds of locusts that appear to come, and they progressively destroy the vegetation including the crops, vineyards, and even the trees. It was common for farmers in the ancient Near East to experience large locust swarms that would come and eat all crops in their fields. Translators should translate simply, presenting the scenes of locusts as Joel describes them.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “House” meaning “temple”\n\nSeveral times in this chapter (1:9, 1:13, 1:14, 1:16), Joel uses the term “house” to mean Yahweh’s “temple.” He speaks of this temple as if it were a house in which God lived, since God’s presence was there. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\n\n### Outline of the book of Joel\n\n1:1–20 Joel describes the effects of the locust attack and calls the people to mourn\n2:1–11 Joel depicts the locust swarm as an army and the attack as the “day of Yahweh”\n2:12–17 Joel and Yahweh call the people of Judah to repentance\n2:18–27 Yahweh promises to have mercy on his people and restore them\n2:28–32 Yahweh says that in the future he will pour out his Spirit\n3:1–21 Yahweh declares that he will judge the nations\n\n### What is the book of Joel about?\n\nThe main idea in the book of Joel is how the people of Judah should understand the spiritual significance of an unprecedented locust attack. The prophet Joel told them to understand it as an expression of the “day of Yahweh,” the occasion on which Yahweh would judge people and punish them for disobedience or reward them for obedience. Joel did not mean that the end of the world had come, but that the people should recognize that Yahweh was acting in judgment as he would at the end of the world. As the book progresses, Joel moves from his spiritual interpretation of the current locust plague to talking about the actual end of the world and final judgment. The apostles of Jesus understood some of Joel’s prophecies to have been fulfilled in their own day. In Acts 2:17 and 2:21, Peter quoted Joel 2:28 and 2:32, where Yahweh says, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” and “everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be saved.”\n\n### How should the title of this book be translated?\n\nThe traditional title of this book is “The Book of Joel” or just “Joel.” Translators may also call it the “The Message from Joel” or “The Sayings of Joel.”\n\n### Who wrote the book of Joel?\n\nThis book contains the prophecies of an Israelite named Joel. The title of the book states that he was the “son of Pethuel,” but it gives no further information about him. The book also does not tell when Joel prophesied.\n\n## Part 2: Religious and Cultural Concepts\n\n### The locust attack\n\nLocust attacks occurred often in the ancient Near East. Certain kinds of grasshoppers would come in countless numbers. There would be so many that they would darken the sky like a black cloud that blocked the sunlight. They often came after a long period of no rain. They came down on whatever crops were surviving in the fields and stripped them bare, eating all their leaves. The locusts could not be stopped, and they caused terrible damage. There are various names for locusts in the original language of the Old Testament. It is uncertain whether these refer to different kinds of locusts or to the same kind of locust in different stages of growth. For this reason, versions of the Bible differ in how they translate these terms. See the note to 1:4 for a suggestion of how you might do this in your translation.\n\n## Part 3: Translation Issues\n\n### Representing the poetry of the book of Joel in your translation\n\nThe poetry in the book of Joel consists almost entirely of paired phrases that both mean basically the same thing. The second phrase emphasizes the meaning of the first phrase by repeating the same idea in different words. Hebrew poetry was based on this kind of repetition, and it would be good to show this to your readers by including both phrases in your translation rather than combining them. It may be clearer in your language to connect the phrases with a word other than "and" in order to show that the second phrase is repeating the first one, not saying something additional. For example, in 1:2, you might say, “Hear this, you elders! Yes, listen, all of the dwellers of the land!” In 1:5, you might say, “Wake up, drunkards, and weep! Indeed, wail, all of the drinkers of wine.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])\n\n### Litanies\n\nIn two places in the book, 1:4 and 2:9, Joel uses a repetitive series of similarly structured sentences for emphasis. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” While in each case these brief litanies consist of two lines of poetry, in your translation you may wish to represent them as separate, shorter lines, as illustrated here. This would show the rhetorical device that Joel is employing. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany]])\n\n1:4 The residue of the cutting locust,\n\nthe swarming locust has eaten,\n\nand the residue of the swarming locust,\n\nthe hopping locust has eaten,\n\nand the residue of the hopping locust,\n\nthe destroying locust has eaten.\n\n2:9 Upon the city they rush,\n\non the wall they run,\n\ninto the houses they climb,\n\nthrough the windows they enter like thieves.\n\n### Speakers describe results before giving reasons\n\nThroughout their speeches in the book, both Joel and Yahweh typically describe a result before giving the reason for it. If it would be more natural in your language, in all or some of these cases, you could reverse the order and first present the phrase or clause that gives the reason, and then present the phrase or clause that gives the result. For example, in 1:17, instead of saying, “The storehouses are desolate, the granaries have been broken down, for the grain has dried up,” you could say, “Because the grain has dried up, the storehouses are desolate, the granaries have been broken down.” In 2:21, rather than saying, “Do not fear, land! Be glad and rejoice, for Yahweh has been great in doing,” you could say, “Yahweh has been great in doing! So do not fear, land. Be glad and rejoice.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])\n\n### Travel descriptions marked for change in elevation\n\nIn several places in the book (1:6, 3:2, 3:9, 3:11, 3:12), the ULT includes the terms “up” or “down” in descriptions of travel. That shows how Hebrew marked such descriptions for changes in elevation. If your language does not do that, you could use expressions without “up” and “down.” For example, in 1:6, you could use “a nation has come against my land” rather than “a nation has come up against my land.” (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) +1:intro q2ev 0 # Joel 1 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\nIn this chapter, Joel describes the effects of the locust attack and calls the people to mourn.\n\nBecause it is poetry, after the book title in 1:1, the ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than its usual text.\n\n## Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter\n\n### Locusts\n\nThis book starts very dramatically with the imagery of the locusts and the devastation that they produce. Five different kinds of locusts appear to come, and they progressively destroy the vegetation, including the crops, vineyards, and even the trees. It was common for farmers in the ancient Near East to experience large locust swarms that would come and eat all the crops in their fields. Translators should translate simply, presenting the scenes of locusts as Joel describes them.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “House” meaning “temple”\n\nSeveral times in this chapter (1:9, 1:13, 1:14, 1:16), Joel uses the term “house” to mean Yahweh’s “temple.” He speaks of this temple as if it were a house in which God lived, since God’s presence was there. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) 1:1 a3b2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Pethuel 1 The word **Pethuel** is the name of a man. -1:1 a3b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The word of Yahweh that was 1 Joel is using the term **word** to mean the message that Yahweh gave, by association with the way words are used to communicate messages. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The message that Yahweh gave” +1:1 a3b7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy The word of Yahweh that was 1 Joel is using the term **word** to mean "the message that Yahweh gave" by association with the way words are used to communicate messages. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The message that Yahweh gave” 1:1 ltl4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom The word of Yahweh that was 1 This is an idiom meaning that Yahweh spoke or communicated his message in some way to the prophet Joel. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The message of Yahweh that came” or “The message that Yahweh spoke” 1:2 d6e9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Hear this, you elders, and listen, all of the dwellers of the land 1 See the discussion in the General Introduction to Joel of how Hebrew poetry consisted of paired phrases that meant basically the same thing. Decide as a translation team how you will represent this poetry in your translation throughout the book of Joel. Alternate translation: “Hear this, you elders! Yes, listen, all of the dwellers of the land!” 1:2 q3r8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Has this been in your days or in the days of your fathers? 1 Joel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “This has not happened in your days or in the days of your fathers!” -1:2 c9d2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in your days or in the days of 1 Joel is using the term **days** to mean a period of time, by association with the way days make up longer periods of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in your time or in the time of” -1:2 j001 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor your fathers 1 Joel is not referring to the literal **fathers** of the Israelites he is addressing. He is using that term to mean their ancestors. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your ancestors” -1:3 d4e9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and your sons to their sons, and their sons to the generation after 1 Joel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and let your sons recount it to their sons, and let their sons recount it to the generation after” +1:2 c9d2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in your days or in the days of 1 Joel is using the term **days** to mean a period of time by association with the way days make up longer periods of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in your time or in the time of” +1:2 j001 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor your fathers 1 Joel is not referring to the literal **fathers** of the Israelites whom he is addressing. He is using that term to mean their ancestors. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your ancestors” +1:3 d4e9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and your sons to their sons, and their sons to the generation after 1 Joel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need to be complete. You could supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and let your sons recount about it to their sons, and let their sons recount about it to the generation after” 1:3 f7g5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations to your sons, and your sons to their sons, and their sons 1 Here the masculine term **sons** has a generic sense that includes both male and female children. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “to your children, and your children to their children, and their children” 1:3 s9t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular Recount about it to your sons, and your sons 1 The imperative **Recount** and the word **your** are plural here because Joel is addressing the “elders” and “dwellers” mentioned in the previous verse. So use plural forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction. 1:4 h9j4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun The residue of the cutting locust, the swarming locust has eaten, and the residue of the swarming locust, the hopping locust has eaten, and the residue of the hopping locust, the destroying locust has eaten 1 Joel is not referring to specific locusts of these types. He means locusts of these types in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “The residue of the cutting locusts, swarming locusts have eaten, and the residue of the swarming locusts, hopping locusts have eaten, and the residue of the hopping locusts, destroying locusts have eaten” -1:4 m9p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany The residue of the cutting locust, the swarming locust has eaten, and the residue of the swarming locust, the hopping locust has eaten, and the residue of the hopping locust, the destroying locust has eaten 1 See the discussion in the General Introduction to Joel of the litany form and how you might format this verse in your translation to show that Joel is using it. +1:4 m9p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany The residue of the cutting locust, the swarming locust has eaten, and the residue of the swarming locust, the hopping locust has eaten, and the residue of the hopping locust, the destroying locust has eaten 1 In the General Introduction to Joel, see the discussion of the litany form and how you might format this verse in your translation to show that Joel is using that form. 1:4 r2s6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown The residue of the cutting locust, the swarming locust has eaten, and the residue of the swarming locust, the hopping locust has eaten, and the residue of the hopping locust, the destroying locust has eaten 1 The terms **cutting**, **swarming**, **hopping**, and **destroying** describe different kinds of locusts. Interpreters are not certain specifically what kinds of locusts these were. You may wish to use more general expressions in your translation. Alternate translation: “The residue of one kind of locust, another kind of locust has eaten, and the residue of that kind of locust, yet another kind of locust has eaten, and the residue of that kind of locust, still another kind of locust has eaten” 1:5 f2g7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result Wake up, drunkards, and weep! And wail, all of the drinkers of wine, upon the sweet wine, for it has been cut off from your mouth 1 See the discussion in the General Introduction to Joel of places such as this where the speaker describes a result before giving the reason for it. If it would be more natural in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that the first phrase describes. Alternate translation: “The sweet wine has been cut off from your mouth, so wail upon it, all of the drinkers of wine” -1:5 q7n2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom it has been cut off from your mouth 1 This is an expression that means that something is no longer available. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “it is no longer available for you to drink” +1:5 q7n2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom it has been cut off from your mouth 1 This is an expression that means that something is no longer available. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “it is no longer available for you to drink” 1:5 v7w2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns from your mouth 1 Since Joel is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **mouth**. Alternate translation: “from your mouths” 1:5 w4x8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive it has been cut off from your mouth 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the locusts have cut it off from your mouth” 1:6 j003 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases For 1 Joel is using the word **For** to introduce the reason for what he described in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “This has happened because” 1:6 z8a3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a nation has come up against my land 1 See the discussion in the General Introduction to Joel of travel descriptions marked for change in elevation. Alternate translation: “a nation has come against my land” -1:6 j002 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor a nation 1 Joel is speaking as if this locust swarm were literally a **nation**, meaning in this context an “army.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a great swarm of locusts” +1:6 j002 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor a nation 1 Joel is speaking as if this locust swarm were literally a **nation**, meaning, in this context, an “army.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a great swarm of locusts” 1:6 u3v7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns my land 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing live in the same land, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **my**. Alternate translation: “our land” 1:6 j7k9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole and without number 1 Joel is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and in huge numbers” 1:6 e5f8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Its teeth {are} the teeth of a lion, and the fangs of a lioness {are} to it 1 Joel is describing the locusts as if they literally had the teeth of lions and lionesses. He means that they have strong teeth that can chew even the toughest of plants. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Like a lion or lioness, these locusts have strong teeth that powerfully grind and chew” 1:6 r35y rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism Its teeth {are} the teeth of a lion,\nand the fangs of a lioness {are} to it 1 These two phrases, **Its teeth {are} the teeth of a lion,\nand the fangs of a lioness {are} to it**, mean similar things. Joel is using repetition to emphasize the idea that the phrases express. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine the phrases and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Its teeth are as strong and sharp as the teeth of a lion” or “Its teeth, like the teeth of a lion, can tear through anything” 1:6 q8r9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession and the fangs of a lioness {are} to it 1 Joel is using a particular possessive form here. A different kind of possessive form may be more natural in your language. Alternate translation: “and it has the fangs of a lioness” -1:7 w9x2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns It has made my vine into a desolation and my fig tree into splinters 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing eat the same crops, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **my**. Alternate translation: “It has made our vines into a desolation and our fig trees into splinters” -1:7 g4h8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns It has made my vine into a waste 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **waste**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “It has laid waste my vine” or “It has ruined my vine” +1:7 w9x2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns It has made my vine into a waste and my fig tree into splinters 1 Since Joel and the people whom he is addressing eat the same crops, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **my**. Alternate translation: “It has made our vines into a waste and our fig trees into splinters” +1:7 g4h8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns It has made my vine into a waste 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **waste**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “It has laid waste my vine” or “It has ruined my vine” 1:7 b5c9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-reduplication Stripping, it has stripped it 1 Joel is repeating the verb “strip” in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “It has stripped it completely” 1:7 g1h4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor thrown {it} away 1 Joel is speaking as if the locusts had literally **thrown … away** the vegetation they had finished eating. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “spit it out” 1:7 j004 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy its branches have become white 1 Joel is using the term **have become white** to mean that the branches have been stripped of their bark, by association with the way the wood underneath the bark is white in color. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “its branches have been stripped of their bark” @@ -36,9 +36,9 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 1:8 g7h3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction like a virgin dressed in sackcloth 1 To wear **sackcloth**, which is clothing made of rough, uncomfortable fabric, is a symbolic action that expresses grief. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “like a virgin dressed in sackcloth to express her grief” 1:8 y6z1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive like a virgin dressed in sackcloth 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “like a virgin who has dressed herself in sackcloth” 1:8 j005 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the husband of her youth 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **the husband of her youth**, he means the fiancé to whom a young woman was betrothed. The word **virgin** indicates that this woman was not yet married, but in this culture, engagement was tanatmount to marriage and a fiancé was considered a **husband**. You could express this relationship with your own culture’s characteristic terms if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the fiancé of her youth” -1:8 j2k6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns the husband of her youth 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **youth**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the man she became engaged to while young” or “the young man to whom she was engaged” +1:8 j2k6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns the husband of her youth 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **youth**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “the man she became engaged to while she was young” or “the young man to whom she was engaged as a maiden” 1:9 j006 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The grain offering and the drink offering have been cut off 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The locusts have cut off the grain offering and the drink offering” -1:9 m5db rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom have been cut off from the house 1 The phrase **have been cut off** is an expression that means that something is no longer available. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “are no longer available for the house” +1:9 m5db rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom have been cut off from the house 1 The phrase **have been cut off** is an expression that means that something is no longer available. Your language may have a comparable expression that you could use in your translation. Alternate translation: “are no longer available for the house” 1:9 t9u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor from the house of Yahweh 1 As the General Notes to this chapter discuss, here and often in this chapter, Joel is using the word **house** to mean “temple.” Alternate translation: “from the temple of Yahweh” 1:10 j007 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The field has been destroyed, the ground mourns, for the grain has been destroyed 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The locusts have destroyed the field, the ground mourns, for the locusts have destroyed the grain” 1:10 k6l2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun The field has been destroyed 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **field**. He means fields in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “The fields have been destroyed” @@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 1:11 m8n5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the field 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **field**. He means fields in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “the fields” 1:12 p3q7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun The vine has dried up and the fig tree has been made weak. The pomegranate tree, also the palm tree and the apple tree 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **vine**, **fig tree**, **pomegranate tree**, **palm tree**, or **apple tree**. He is talking about these kinds of trees in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “The vines have dried up and the fig trees have been made weak. The pomegranate trees, also the palm trees and the apple trees” 1:12 j009 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive has been made weak 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “has become weak” -1:12 kiyn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor 1 Here Joel is speaking of **the fig tree** as if it had been strong and now was **weak**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the fig tree is withered” or “the fig tree is dying” +1:12 kiyn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the fig tree has been made weak 1 Here Joel is speaking of **the fig tree** as if it had been strong and now was **weak**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the fig tree is withered” or “the fig tree is dying” 1:12 m3n5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole all of the trees of the field have dried up 1 Joel is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “trees of the field of every kind have dried up” 1:12 l3m6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor joy has dried up from the sons of man 1 Joel is speaking of **joy** as if it were a liquid that had literally **dried up**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “people no longer feel joyful” 1:12 h2j8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations the sons of man 1 Here the masculine terms **sons** and **man** have a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that is clearly inclusive of both men and women. Alternate translation: “human beings” @@ -57,22 +57,22 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 1:13 i9j5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction lodge in sackcloth 1 To **lodge in sackcloth** is a symbolic action that expresses deep mourning and repentance. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “spend the night wearing sackcloth to show your deep sorrow and repentance” 1:13 j011 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the grain offering and the drink offering have been withheld 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the locusts have taken away the grain offering and the drink offering” 1:13 y5z8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns my God 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **my**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” -1:13 a1b4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns your God 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **your**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” -1:14 k2l7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction Consecrate a fast 1 A **fast** is a time of going without eating. In this context, not eating would be a symbolic action that expressed sorrow for the sins that had caused Yahweh to punish the Israelites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “Consecrate a fast to show your sorrow for your sin” +1:13 a1b4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns your God 1 Since Joel and the people whom he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **your**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” +1:14 k2l7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction Consecrate a fast 1 A **fast** is a time of going without eating. In this context, not eating would be a symbolic action to express sorrow for the sins that had caused Yahweh to punish the Israelites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance of this action. Alternate translation: “Consecrate a fast to show your sorrow for your sin” 1:14 c7d2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns your God 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **your**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” -1:15 f9g3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations Alas for the day 1 Joel is using this phrase as an exclamation to express a strong feeling. There may be an equivalent phrase in your language that you can use in your translation to convey this strong feeling. If not, you could say what Joel was feeling. Alternate translation: “Oh, what a terrible day!” or “I am very distressed about this day” -1:15 j013 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Alas for the day 1 Joel is using the term **day** to mean this particular time of trouble, by association with the way a day is a specific period of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Alas for this time” +1:15 f9g3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations Alas for the day 1 Joel is using this phrase as an exclamation to express a strong feeling. There may be an equivalent phrase in your language that you could use in your translation to convey this strong feeling. If not, you could say what Joel was feeling. Alternate translation: “Oh, what a terrible day” or “What a distressing day” +1:15 j013 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy Alas for the day 1 Joel is using the term **day** to mean "this particular time of trouble," by association with the way a day is a specific period of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Alas for this time” 1:15 j014 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the day of Yahweh 1 Joel is using the term **day** to mean the time when Yahweh will judge and punish his enemies, by association with the way days make up specific periods of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the time when Yahweh will judge and punish his enemies” 1:15 l9m3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns and as destruction it will come from Shaddai 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **destruction**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “when Shaddai will destroy many things” -1:15 j012 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shaddai 1 The word **Shaddai** is another name for God. Some versions choose to translate the name as “The Almighty,” as in the UST. +1:15 j012 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Shaddai 1 The word **Shaddai** is another name for God. Some versions choose to translate the name as “the Almighty,” as in the UST. 1:16 s7t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Has not food been cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God? 1 Joel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Food has been cut off before our eyes, and joy and gladness from the house of our God!” 1:16 j015 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Has not food been cut off before our eyes 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Have not the locusts cut off food before our eyes” 1:16 j016 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy before our eyes 1 Joel is using the term **eyes** to mean sight, by association with the way eyes are used for seeing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “from our sight” -1:16 f1g6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis joy and gladness from the house of our God 1 Joel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and joy and gladness have been cut off from the house of our God” +1:16 f1g6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis joy and gladness from the house of our God 1 Joel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and have not joy and gladness been cut off from the house of our God” 1:16 k2m6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet joy and gladness 1 The terms **joy** and **gladness** mean similar things. Joel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “all celebration” 1:17 n9p4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive the granaries have been broken down 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “the granaries have broken down” -1:17 j017 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the grain has dried up 1 Joel is speaking of **grain** as if it were a liquid that had **dried up**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the grain has disappeared as if it had evaporated” or “the grain has run out” -1:18 h5j7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations How the beast groans 1 Joel is using this phrase as an exclamation to express a strong feeling. There may be an equivalent phrase in your language that you can use in your translation to convey this strong feeling. If not, you could say what Joel was feeling. Alternate translation: “Listen to the animals’ pitiful cries!” or “It makes me sad to hear the beasts groan” +1:17 j017 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the grain has dried up 1 Joel is speaking of **grain** as if it were a liquid that had **dried up**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the grain has disappeared as if it had evaporated” or “the supply of grain has run out” +1:18 h5j7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations How the beast groans 1 Joel is using this phrase as an exclamation to express a strong feeling. There may be an equivalent phrase in your language that you could use in your translation to convey this strong feeling. If not, you could say what Joel was feeling. Alternate translation: “Listen to the animals’ pitiful cries” or “How sad to hear the beasts groan” 1:18 r9s4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun How the beast groans 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **beast**. He means beasts in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “How the beasts groan” 1:18 q5r8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive The herds of cattle are perplexed 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “The locusts have perplexed the herds of cattle” 1:18 j018 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the flocks of sheep are punished 1 Joel is speaking of the sheep dying from hunger as if they were literally being punished. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the flocks of sheep die from hunger, perishing as if they were being punished” @@ -82,20 +82,20 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 1:19 t6u2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun and the flame has burned all of the trees of the field 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **flame** or **field**. He means flames and fields in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “and flames have burned all of the trees of the fields” 1:19 u7v2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor and the flame has burned all of the trees of the field 1 Joel is speaking of the locusts’ destruction as if it were literally a flame burning the **trees**. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “yes, the locusts have eaten all of the leaves and bark from the trees of the field” 1:20 b1c4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youformal you 1 By **you**, Joel means Yahweh, so use the same form of “you” as you used in the previous verse. -1:20 w3x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness 1 See how you translated this same expression in [1:19](../01/19.md). +1:20 w3x9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness 1 See how you translated this similar expression in [1:19](../01/19.md). 2:intro j2gp 0 # Joel 2 General Notes\n\n## Structure and Formatting\n\n2:1–11 Joel depicts the locust swarm as an army and the attack as the “day of Yahweh”\n2:12–17 Joel and Yahweh call the people of Judah to repentance\n2:18–27 Yahweh promises to have mercy on his people and restore them\n2:28–32 Yahweh says that in the future he will pour out his Spirit\n\nThe ULT sets the lines of this chapter farther to the right on the page than its usual text because it is poetry.\n\n## Translation Issues in This Chapter\n\n### “Face” meaning “in front of”\n\nSeveral times in this chapter (2:3, 2:6, 2:10, 2:11, 2:31), phrases with the word **face** mean “in front of” or “before,” by association with the way people can see what is in front of or before their faces. (See: [[rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])\n\n## Textual Issues in This Chapter\n\nIn 2:7, the traditional Hebrew text reads “they do not pledge their paths.” The ULT follows that reading. Some ancient versions suggest that the original reading may have been “they do not turn from their paths.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.\n\nIn 2:17, the traditional Hebrew text reads “for the nations to rule over them.” The ULT follows that reading. The consonantal text also permits the reading “for them to become a byword to the nations.” Several modern versions of the Bible follow that reading. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT. 2:1 j020 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Blow the shofar in Zion, and shout on the mountain of my holiness 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that he wants them to do the things he describes in order to sound an alarm. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Blow the shofar in Zion, and shout on the mountain of my holiness in order to sound an alarm” 2:1 h3j7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown the shofar 1 A **shofar** is a trumpet made from a ram’s horn. If your readers would not be familiar with what a shofar is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “a trumpet” or “a ram’s horn” -2:1 gpe1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun 1 The phrase **the shofar** refers to shofars in general, not to any particular shofar. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “a shofar” or “shofars” +2:1 gpe1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the shofar 1 The phrase **the shofar** refers to shofars in general, not to any particular shofar. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “a shofar” or “shofars” 2:1 n5p7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns on the mountain of my holiness 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **holiness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “on my holy mountain” -2:1 j021 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit tremble 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **tremble**, he means to tremble in fear or awe. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “tremble in fear” or “tremble in awe” +2:1 j021 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit tremble 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **tremble** he means to tremble in fear or awe. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “tremble in fear” or “tremble in awe” 2:1 j022 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the day of Yahweh 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:15](../01/15.md). -2:2 j023 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness 1 Joel is using the term **day** to mean a period of time, by association with the way days make up specific periods of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a time of darkness and gloom, a time of clouds and thick darkness” +2:2 j023 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness 1 Joel is using the term **day** to mean a period of time, by association with the way days make up specific periods of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a time of darkness and gloom, a time of clouds and thick darkness” 2:2 n8p3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet darkness and gloom 1 The terms **darkness** and **gloom** mean similar things. Joel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “deep darkness” 2:2 q7r2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet clouds and thick darkness 1 The terms **clouds** and **thick darkness** mean similar things. Joel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “very dark clouds” 2:2 k4m9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile Like the dawn being spread upon the mountains 1 The point of this comparison is that just as the dawn spreads steadily and inexorably across the mountains, so the army of locusts spreads steadily and inexorably across the land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Like the dawn spreading steadily and inexorably upon the mountains” 2:2 j025 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive Like the dawn being spread upon the mountains 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Like the dawn spreading upon the mountains” -2:2 j024 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy like the dawn 1 Joel is using the term **dawn** by association to mean the light that appears at dawn. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like the light of dawn” or “like the morning sunlight” +2:2 j024 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy like the dawn 1 Joel is using the term **dawn** by association to mean the light that appears at dawn. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like the light of dawn” or “like the early morning sunlight” 2:2 h8i3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis a great and mighty people 1 Joel is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “a great and mighty people is coming” 2:2 s5t9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet a great and mighty people 1 The terms **great** and **mighty** mean similar things. Joel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “a very strong people” 2:2 p8q2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole Like it there has not been from antiquity, and after it there will not be again to years of generation and generation 1 Joel is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “It is worse than anything that has happened in living memory, and nothing like it will happen again for many generations” @@ -105,19 +105,19 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 2:3 x1y5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy A fire is devouring to its face 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of how several phrases with the word **face** mean “in front of.” Alternate translation: “A fire is devouring in front of it” 2:3 n6p3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile To its face the land is like the garden of Eden 1 The point of this comparison is that just as the garden of Eden was very lush, so the land of Israel ahead of the locust invasion is lush. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “To its face the land is lush, like the garden of Eden” 2:3 q1r4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns {is} a wilderness of desolation 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **desolation**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “is a desolate wilderness” -2:3 r6s4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole and indeed {there} is no escape from it 1 Joel is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and indeed it is extremely difficult to escape from it” -2:3 s8t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns {there} is no escape from it 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **escape**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “no one can escape from it” -2:4 q8r5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile Like the appearance of horses {is} its appearance 1 The point of this comparison is that just like war horses, the locusts appear to be strong and fearless. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Like the appearance of strong fearless war horses is their appearance” +2:3 r6s4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole and indeed {there} is no escape from it 1 Joel is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and indeed, it is extremely difficult to escape from it” +2:3 s8t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns {there} is no escape from it 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **escape**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “no one can escape from it” or "no one can get away from it" +2:4 q8r5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile Like the appearance of horses {is} its appearance 1 The point of this comparison is that just like war horses, the locusts appear to be strong and fearless. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Like the appearance of strong, fearless war horses is their appearance” 2:4 g5h1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns {is} its appearance 1 Since the locust swarm is described in verse 2 as a “people” or “army,” it may be more natural in your language to use a plural pronoun. Alternate translation: “is their appearance” -2:4 s1t7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile and like steeds, thus they run 1 The point of this comparison is that just as galloping steeds travel very quickly and seem to be flying as they are running, so the locusts travels quickly as it flies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and like galloping steeds that seem almost to be flying, thus they fly across the land” +2:4 s1t7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile and like steeds, thus they run 1 The point of this comparison is that just as galloping steeds travel very quickly and seem to be flying as they are running, so the locusts travels quickly as it flies. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “and like galloping steeds that seem almost to be flying, thus they fly” 2:5 u3v9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile Like the sound of chariots, they leap on the tops of the hills 1 The point of this comparison is that just as chariots make a loud, rumbling noise, so the locusts make a loud noise as they move across the land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “Making a loud sound like that of chariots, they leap on the tops of the hills” 2:5 j027 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive like a mighty people arrayed {for} war 1 If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “like a mighty people who have arrayed themselves for war” 2:5 y7z4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like a mighty people arrayed {for} war 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a mighty army gives a loud shout once it is arrayed for war, so the locusts are making a loud and terrifying noise. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “making a loud, terrifying sound as a mighty people does when it is arrayed for war” 2:5 w5x2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like the sound of a flame of fire devouring stubble 1 The point of this comparison is that just as a fire makes a crackling sound as it quickly consumes dry stubble, so the locusts make a similar sound as they quickly consume the vegetation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “making a crackling sound like a flame of fire devouring stubble” -2:6 j028 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit writhe 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **writhe**, he means to writhe in agony or fear. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “writhe in agony” or “writhe in fear” -2:6 j029 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy gather beauty 1 Joel is using the term **beauty** to mean paleness, by association with the way pale skin was considered beautiful in that culture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “become pale” -2:7 b9c6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile They run like warriors 1 The point of this comparison is that the locusts rush forward irresistibly, just as warriors do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “They rush forward irresistibly like warriors” -2:7 d1e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like men of war, they climb the wall 1 The point of this comparison is that just as men of war skillfully scale walls in battle, so the locusts surmount obstacles without difficulty. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “like men of war they swarm over walls without difficulty” +2:6 j028 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit writhe 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **writhe** he means to writhe in agony or fear. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “twist and contort in agony” or “squirm in fear” +2:6 j029 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy gather beauty 1 Joel is using the term **beauty** to mean paleness by association with the way pale skin was considered beautiful in that culture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “become pale” +2:7 b9c6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile They run like warriors 1 The point of this comparison is that the locusts rush forward irresistibly, just as warriors do. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “They rush forward, unstoppable, like mighty warriors” +2:7 d1e8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile like men of war, they climb the wall 1 The point of this comparison is that just as men of war skillfully scale walls in battle, so the locusts surmount obstacles without difficulty. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “like men of war, they swarm over walls without difficulty” 2:7 s1t2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-possession like men of war 1 Joel is using this possessive form to describe **men** who take part in **war**. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “warriors” 2:7 v8w5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the wall 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **wall**. He means walls in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “the walls” 2:7 f5t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom a man in his ways 1 In this context, **man** means “each one” and **ways** refers to the ways that a locust is traveling. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “each one in its direction” or “each one according to its pattern” @@ -125,30 +125,30 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 2:7 h7j3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants and they do not pledge their paths 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of an alternate reading for this phrase. Alternate translation: “and they do not turn from their paths” 2:8 k8p4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom And a man does not crowd his brother 1 Here, **man** means “each one” and **brother** means “another one.” This expression describes how the locusts move in an orderly manner. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “And they do not crowd each other” 2:8 w2s7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom they walk, a man in his road 1 As in the previous clause, **man** means “each one” and **road** refers to the direction of travel. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “they move, each one in its own path” -2:8 j031 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Among the weapons they fall, and they do not break off 1 This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “They jump in among the weapons without breaking ranks” or (2) Alternate translation: “Even though weapons may kill some of them, the swarm keeps coming” -2:9 s5t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany Upon the city they rush, on the wall they run, into the houses they climb, through the windows they enter like thieves 1 See the discussion in the General Introduction to Joel of the litany form and how you might format this verse in your translation to show that Joel is using it. -2:9 f3g5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile through the windows they enter like thieves 1 The point of this comparison is that just as thieves enter unexpectedly and undetected through windows, so the locusts get into homes in ways that people do not anticipate and so cannot prevent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “they get into homes in unexpected ways, just as thieves sneak in through windows” +2:8 j031 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Among the weapons they fall, and they do not break off 1 This could mean: (1) Alternate translation: “They burst through defenses without breaking ranks” or (2) Alternate translation: “Even though weapons may stop some of them, the swarm keeps coming” +2:9 s5t1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany Upon the city they rush, on the wall they run, into the houses they climb, through the windows they enter like thieves 1 See the discussion in the General Introduction to Joel of the litany form and how you might format this verse in your translation to show that Joel is using litany. +2:9 f3g5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile through the windows they enter like thieves 1 The point of this comparison is that just as thieves enter unexpectedly and undetected through windows, so the locusts get into homes in ways that people do not anticipate and so, cannot prevent. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “they get into homes in unexpected ways, just as thieves sneak in through windows” 2:10 l5m7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor The earth shakes to their face, the heavens tremble 1 Joel is speaking as if the locust swarm were literally causing the **earth** to shake and the **heavens** to **tremble**. He means that they make such a loud sound and cause such vibration that it seems like this is happening. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “They make such a loud sound and cause such vibration that it is as if the earth is shaking and the heavens are trembling” 2:10 c5d9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor the sun and the moon become dark 1 Joel is speaking as if **the sun and the moon** had literally become **dark**. He means that the locust swarm is blocking their light. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the locust swarm blocks the light of the sun and moon” 2:10 e3f5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification and the stars withdraw their brightness 1 Joel is speaking of **the stars** as if they were living things that could **withdraw their brightness**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the light of the stars is no longer visible” 2:11 j034 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his voice 1 Joel is using the term **voice** to mean Yahweh’s commands, by association with the way authorities use their voices to give commands. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his commands” 2:11 j035 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy is his camp 1 Joel is using the term **camp** to mean Yahweh’s army, by association with the way armies stay in camps. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is his army” -2:11 j032 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his word 1 Joel is using the term **word** to mean Yahweh’s orders, by association with the way people use words to give orders. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his orders” -2:11 u9v4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion For the day of Yahweh is great and very fearful, and who will endure it? 1 Joel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “For the day of Yahweh is great and very terrible, and no one can endure it!” +2:11 j032 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy his word 1 Joel is using the term **word** to mean Yahweh’s orders, by association with the way people use words to give orders or instructions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his commands” +2:11 u9v4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion For the day of Yahweh is great and very fearful, and who will endure it? 1 Joel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “For the day of Yahweh is great and very fearful, and no one will endure it!” 2:11 j033 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the day of Yahweh 1 See how you translated the same expression in [1:15](../01/15.md). -2:12 p9q3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations “Yet even now,” the declaration of Yahweh, “return to me 1 The phrase **the declaration of Yahweh** indicates that this is a direct quotation from Yahweh. You may wish to indicate that in your translation, using a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh declares, ‘Yet even now, return to me” +2:12 p9q3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations “Yet even now,” the declaration of Yahweh, “return to me 1 The phrase **the declaration of Yahweh** indicates that this is a direct quotation from Yahweh. You may wish to indicate that in your translation using a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “Yahweh declares, ‘Yet even now, return to me” 2:12 u3v8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular return 1 The imperative **return** is plural here because Yahweh is addressing the people of Judah. For the same reason, the imperatives and the word “your” are plural in verses 13–16, in which Joel is speaking. So use plural forms in your translation if your language marks that distinction. 2:13 e7f2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor And tear your heart and not your garments 1 Joel is speaking as if people could literally tear their hearts. He is using the contrast with tearing garments, which was a literal sign of mourning, to emphasize internal repentance. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And do not only tear your garments; repent in your hearts” -2:12 c0yn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor return to me with all of your heart 1 Here, Yahweh is speaking of people repenting of their sin as a **return** to him, and he is speaking of their **heart** to represent their thoughts and motives. You may have a similar way to talk about these things, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “sincerely repent of disobeying me in your thoughts and motives” +2:12 c0yn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor return to me with all of your heart 1 Here, Yahweh is speaking of people repenting of their sin as a **return** to him, and he is speaking of their **heart** to represent their thoughts and motives. You may have a similar way to talk about these things, or you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “sincerely repent of disobeying me in your thoughts and motives” or "come back to me in genuine and complete repentance" 2:12 x9y4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns your heart 1 Since Yahweh is referring to a group of people, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **heart**. Alternate translation: “your hearts” -2:13 j036 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations And tear your heart and not your garments, and return to Yahweh your God 1 Some versions end the quotation that begins in verse 12 after this sentence, instead of at the end of verse 12. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to follow the quotation boundaries that it has. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the same boundaries as the ULT. +2:13 j036 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations And tear your heart and not your garments, and return to Yahweh your God 1 Some versions end the quotation that begins in verse 12 after this sentence instead of at the end of verse 12. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to follow the quotation boundaries that it has. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the same boundaries as the ULT. 2:13 rvjd rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom long of nostrils 1 Here, **long of nostrils** is an idiom meaning that the person is slow to get angry. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “long-tempered” or “slow to become angry” 2:13 u6v9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns and great of kindness 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **kindness**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and very kind” 2:14 w1x6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing after him, a grain offering and a drink offering for Yahweh your God 1 Joel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “For all anyone knows, he may turn and relent and leave a blessing after him, a grain offering and a drink offering for Yahweh your God” 2:14 j037 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet He may turn and relent 1 The terms **turn** and **relent** mean similar things. Joel is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “He may indeed change his mind” 2:14 w3x7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns and leave a blessing 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **blessing**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and leave something to bless you” 2:14 j9k6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns your God 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **your**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” -2:16 g7h8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism assemble the elders, gather the children and the ones sucking the breasts 1 Joel is speaking of two things in order to mean them and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “assemble people of all ages” +2:16 g7h8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism assemble the elders, gather the children and the ones sucking the breasts 1 Joel is speaking of two things in order to mean those two extremes and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “assemble people of all ages” 2:15 zn50 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit a fast 1 Joel assumes that his readers will understand that the purpose of **a fast** was to show repentance for sin. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “a fast to show your repentance” 2:15 hrux rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure consecrate a fast, call an assembly 1 If it would be more natural in your language, you could mention calling the assembly and then telling the people to fast. Alternate translation: “call an assembly, consecrate a fast” 2:16 j038 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit May the bridegroom come out from his chamber and the bride from her room 1 Joel means implicitly that while newlyweds are ordinarily excused from public duties, this is an exceptional circumstance that calls for even their attendance. Alternate translation: “Even newly married men and women should come to the assembly under these exceptional circumstances.” @@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 2:17 s4t9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns Why should they say 1 Here, **they** is an indefinite pronoun that refers to people in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this with a different expression that does not use an indefinite pronoun. Alternate translation: “Why should it be said” 2:17 j039 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Why should they say among the peoples 1 Joel is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Do not allow the peoples to say“ 2:17 d3nn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion Where {is} their God? 1 This example of mockery is also using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Their God does not care about them“ or “Their God must be far away!” -2:18 g26p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture Then Yahweh was jealous for his land, and he had pity on his people 1 Joel is using the past tense to describe something that is going to happen in the future, after the people repent. He may be doing this to show that the event will certainly happen. Alternatively, there may have been a gap of time between the writing of verse 17 and verse 18 and in that time, the people repented. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the future tense in your translation of these two verses and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh will be jealous for his land, and he will have pity on his people” +2:18 g26p rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture Then Yahweh was jealous for his land, and he had pity on his people 1 Joel is using the past tense to describe something that is going to happen in the future, after the people repent. He may be doing this to show that the event will certainly happen. Alternatively, there may have been a gap of time between the writing of verse 17 and verse 18, and in that time, the people repented. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the future tense in your translation of these two verses and express the emphasis in another way. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh will be jealous for his land, and he will have pity on his people” 2:18 g5h7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy for his land 1 Joel is using the term **land** by association to mean the people living on the land. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “for his people” 2:19 nu7z rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture And Yahweh answered and said 1 Joel continues using the past tense here to describe something that is going to happen in the future, after the people repent. Alternatively, the people already repented and so Joel tells Yahweh's response here. If you chose to use the future tense in verse 18, then you should also do so here. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh will answer and say” 2:19 a1b2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys And Yahweh answered and said 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **answered** tells for what purpose Yahweh **said** this. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh replied” @@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 2:19 j6r3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom Behold me sending 1 The expression **Behold me** doing something means “I am going to do” what is described. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “I am going to send” 2:19 l3m8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns with it 1 Yahweh is using the pronoun **it** to refer to what he will send to the Israelites. But since he lists **grain**, **wine**, and **oil**, it may be more natural in your language to use a plural pronoun. Alternate translation: “of them” 2:19 b5c1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns and I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **reproach**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and I will no longer make the nations reproach you” -2:20 j1k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the northerner 1 Yahweh is using the term **northerner** to refer to an invading army of some kind, by association with the direction from which invasions often came. It seems that this term is purposely vague, so that it can refer to the current locust invasion as well as to a future military invasion on “the day of Yahweh” (verse 11). If possible, use a term that could refer to both. Alternate translation: “the invader” +2:20 j1k3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the northerner 1 Yahweh is using the term **northerner** to refer to an invading army of some kind, by association with the direction from which invasions often came. It seems that this term is purposely vague so that it can refer to the current locust invasion as well as to a future military invasion on “the day of Yahweh” (verse 11). If possible, use a term that could refer to both. Alternate translation: “the invader” 2:20 d7e3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns a land of dryness and desolation 1 If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of **dryness** and **desolation**, you could express the same ideas in another way. Alternate translation: “a dry and desolate land” 2:20 w1x5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet a land of dryness and desolation 1 The terms **dryness** and **desolation** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “a completely barren land” 2:20 j040 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification his face into the eastern sea and his back into the western sea 1 Yahweh is speaking of the invading army or locust swarm as if it were a living thing that had a **face** and a **back**. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the invaders at the front of the group will fall into the eastern sea and die, and the invaders at the back of the group will fall into the western sea and die” @@ -185,11 +185,11 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 2:22 x3y7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the tree has borne its fruit, the fig tree and the vine have yielded their strength 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **tree**, **fig tree**, or **vine**. He is referring to these plants in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “the trees have borne their fruit, the fig trees and the vines have yielded their strength” 2:22 l9m2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy their strength 1 Joel is using the term **strength** to mean the harvest, by association with the way the land has the capacity to produce crops. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “their harvest” 2:23 n5p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor sons of Zion 1 Joel is speaking as if **Zion**, meaning Jerusalem, were literally the mother of the people who lived in that city. Alternate translation: “residents of Zion” or “citizens of Jerusalem” -2:23 n7p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns your God 1 Since Joel and the people he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **your**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” +2:23 n7p2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns your God 1 Since Joel and the people whom he is addressing worship the same God, it may be more natural in your language to say “our” instead of **your**. Languages that mark the distinction should use the inclusive form of “our.” Alternate translation: “our God” 2:23 e5f1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pastforfuture he has given to you the early rain for vindication and has brought down the shower to you 1 Joel is using the past tense to describe something that is going to happen in the future in order to show that the event will certainly happen. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the future tense. Alternate translation: “he will give to you the early rain for vindication and will bring down the shower to you” 2:23 f2g8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns for vindication 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **vindication**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “to vindicate you” 2:23 z9a4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the shower 1 Joel is not referring to a specific **shower**. He means showers in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “showers” -2:23 j043 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the early rain and the late rain 1 Joel is speaking from the perspective of his own culture and location. By **early rain**, he means the fall rains, and by **late rain**, he means the spring rains. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the fall rains and the spring rains” +2:23 j043 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit the early rain and the late rain 1 Joel is speaking from the perspective of his own culture and location. By **early rain** he means the fall rains, and by **late rain** he means the spring rains. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the fall rains and the spring rains” 2:23 j044 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit in the first 1 Joel is speaking from the perspective of his own culture. By **in the first**, he could mean either (1) Alternate translation: “as at first” or “as before” or (2) Alternate translation: “in the first month of the year” 2:24 t9u7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole and the vats will overflow {with} new wine and oil 1 Joel is making an overstatement for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the emphasis in a different way. Alternate translation: “and the vats will be very full of new wine and oil” 2:25 n4p6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy the years 1 Joel is using the term **years** by association to mean the crops produced in those years. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the crops” @@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 2:28 rlys rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole on all flesh 1 Yahweh says **all** here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “on very many people” 2:28 k2l3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism and your sons and your daughters will prophesy 1 Yahweh is speaking of the two major components of something in order to mean everything it includes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “all of your children will prophesy” 2:28 m4n5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions 1 Yahweh is speaking of two things in order to refer to them and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “your men of all ages will see prophetic images” -2:28 j046 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit dreams 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **dreams**, he means dreams with prophetic significance. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “dreams with prophetic significance” +2:28 j046 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit dreams 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **dreams** he means dreams with prophetic significance. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “dreams with prophetic significance” 2:29 o6p7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism And even on male servants and on female servants 1 Yahweh is speaking of two things in order to mean them and everything in between. This verse continues the thought of the previous verse, that the Spirit will come to a great variety of people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “Yes, even on people of low social status and of both genders” 2:29 u5v9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy in those days 1 Yahweh is using the term **days** to mean a period of time, by association with the way days make up longer periods of time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “at that time” 2:29 u6v4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor I will pour out my Spirit 1 See how you translated this in [2:28](../02/8.md). @@ -233,15 +233,15 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 3:1 c8d4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet in those days and at that time 1 The expressions **in those days** and **at that time** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two expressions together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “when that wonderful time comes” 3:1 k9l5 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns when I return the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem 1 If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of **captivity**, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem” 3:1 p8q4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants when I return the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of an alternate reading for this phrase. Alternate translation: “when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem” -3:2 j052 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate the Valley of Jehoshaphat 1 The word **Jehoshaphat** is the name of a valley. In your translation, you could spell it the way it sounds in your language, as the ULT does, or you could use a word or phrase from your language that expresses the meaning of this name. Alternate translation: “the Valley of Yahweh-Judges” -3:2 c3d4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys my people and my inheritance Israel 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **inheritance** tells what kind of **people** the Israelites are to Yahweh. In this context, the word **inheritance** refers to a portion that someone would choose for himself. Alternate translation: “my chosen people Israel” +3:2 j052 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate the Valley of Jehoshaphat 1 The word **Jehoshaphat** is the name of a valley. In your translation, you could spell it the way it sounds in your language, as the ULT does, or you could use a word or phrase from your language that expresses the meaning of this name, which is "Yahweh judges." Alternate translation: “the Valley of Yahweh-Judges” +3:2 c3d4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys my people and my inheritance Israel 1 This phrase expresses a single idea by using two words connected with **and**. The word **inheritance** tells what kind of **people** the Israelites are to Yahweh. In this context, the word **inheritance** refers to a portion that someone would choose for himself. Alternate translation: “my chosen people, Israel” 3:2 n9p6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and they divided up my land 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and because they divided up my land” -3:3 b6c2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the lot 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **lot**. He means lots in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “lots” +3:3 b6c2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun the lot 1 Yahweh is not referring to a specific **lot**. He means "lots" in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “lots” 3:3 gefn rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun and they traded a boy for a prostitute, and they sold a girl 1 The words **a boy**, **a prostitute**, and **a girl** represent these people in general, not one particular boy or prostitute or girl. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “and they traded boys for prostitutes, and they sold girls” -3:3 d9e2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense and they sold a girl for wine and drank 1 Yahweh means that the people of these nations **sold a girl** into slavery in order to get money for **wine** that they could drink. If this connection would not be clear, you could use a different form of the verb **drank**. Alternate translation: “and they sold a girl for wine to drink” +3:3 d9e2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-tense and they sold a girl for wine, and drank 1 Yahweh means that the people of these nations **sold a girl** into slavery in order to get money for **wine** that they could drink. If this connection would not be clear, you could use a different form of the verb **drank**. Alternate translation: “and they sold a girl for wine to drink” 3:4 b2c7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion And indeed, what {are} you to me, Tyre, Sidon, and all of the regions of Philistia? Are you repaying a recompense to me? 1 Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If a speaker of your language would not use the question form for that purpose, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “And indeed, you have nothing to hold against me, Tyre, Sidon, and all of the regions of Philistia! There is no recompense that you need to pay back to me!” 3:4 b5p9 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom what {are} you to me 1 This is an expression that a person in this culture would commonly use to ask another person why he was treating him with hostility. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. You could also use plain language. Alternate translation: “what do you have against me” or “why are you treating me with hostility” -3:4 a2b8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Are you repaying a recompense to me? And if you are recompensing me 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the nations were literally paying him back for something bad that he did to them. He is asking if they have a grudge against him that they are carrying out. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do you have some grudge against me that you are carrying out? And if you are carrying out a grudge against me” +3:4 a2b8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor Are you repaying a recompense to me? And if you are recompensing me 1 Yahweh is speaking as if the nations were literally paying him back for something bad that he had done to them. He is asking if they have a grudge against him that they are carrying out. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Do you have some grudge against me that you are carrying out? And if you are carrying out a grudge against me” 3:4 e7f3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet swiftly, speedily 1 The terms **swiftly** and **speedily** mean similar things. Yahweh is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “very quickly” 3:4 w7x3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche I will turn your recompense onto your head 1 Yahweh is using one part of a person, his **head**, to mean the entire person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a more general term. Alternate translation: “I will turn your recompense onto you” or “I will directly pay you back” 3:4 z1a6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns onto your head 1 Since Yahweh is referring to multiple nations, it might be more natural in your language to use the plural form of **head**. Alternate translation: “onto your heads” @@ -260,7 +260,7 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 3:8 g8h1 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names Sabeans 1 The word **Sabeans** is the name of a people group. 3:8 r5s7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations to a faraway nation.” For Yahweh has spoken 1 The phrase **For Yahweh has spoken** indicates that this is a direct quotation from Yahweh. You may wish to indicate that in your translation, using a natural way of introducing direct quotations in your language. Alternate translation: “to a faraway nation,’ says Yahweh” 3:9 w7x4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular Proclaim 1 The imperative **Proclaim** is plural here, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction. Joel is addressing generally all those who would be in a position to make this proclamation. -3:9 j055 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Consecrate a war 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **Consecrate a war**, he means to perform the rites with which they would begin a war. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Perform the rites with which you would begin a war” +3:9 j055 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit Consecrate a war 1 Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by **Consecrate a war** he means to perform the rites with which they would begin a war. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “Perform the rites with which you would begin a war” 3:10 k9m2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown your plowshares 1 The word **plowshares** describes blades for plows, which are tools used to break up soil for planting. If your readers would not be familiar with what a plowshare is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “your plow blades” or “your farming tools” 3:10 n5p8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown your pruning hooks 1 The expression **pruning hooks** describes curved blades used for trimming trees and vines. If your readers would not be familiar with what a pruning hook is, in your translation you could use the name of a similar thing that your readers would recognize, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “your curved trimming blades” or “your gardening tools” 3:10 v9w2 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes Let the weak say, ‘I {am} strong.’ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Let the weak say that they are strong” @@ -301,6 +301,6 @@ front:intro aq5w 0 # Introduction to Joel\n\n## Part 1: General Introduction\ 3:20 u7v3 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis and Jerusalem to generation and generation 1 Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and Jerusalem will dwell to generation and generation” 3:20 l1s8 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom to generation and generation 1 Like the expression in [2:2](../02/02.md), this means “for a very long time.” Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “for all generations to come” 3:21 r3s6 rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants And I will acquit their blood {that} I have not acquitted 1 See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of an alternate reading for this phrase. Alternate translation: “And I will avenge their blood {that} I have not avenged” -3:21 j061 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy their blood 1 Yahweh is using the term **blood** to mean the deaths of people, by association with the people may shed their blood when they die. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “their deaths” +3:21 j061 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy their blood 1 Yahweh is using the term **blood** to mean the deaths of people, by association with the loss of blood that usually occurs when people die violently. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “their deaths” 3:21 e1f7 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations for Yahweh {is} dwelling in Zion 1 Some versions do not treat this clause as part of the direct quotation of Yahweh in 3:17–21. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to follow the quotation boundaries that it has. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the same boundaries as the ULT. 3:21 d8e4 rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person for Yahweh {is} dwelling in Zion 1 Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “for I am dwelling in Zion”