1. Et Yahweh fit venir un grand poisson pour engloutir Jonas; et Jonas fut dans les entrailles du poisson trois jours et trois nuits.
2. Et des entrailles du poisson Jonas pria Yahweh, son Dieu.
3. Il dit : De la détresse où j'étais, j'ai invoqué Yahweh, et Il m'a répondu ; du ventre du schéol, j'ai crié: vous avez entendu ma voix.
4. Vous m'aviez jeté dans l'abîme, au coeur des mers, et l'onde m'environnait; tous vos flots et toutes vos vagues ont passé sur moi.
5. Et moi, je disais : je suis chassé de devant vos yeux ; pourtant je contemplerai encore votre saint temple.
6. Les eaux m'avaient enserré jusqu'à l'âme, l'abîme m'environnait, l'algue encerclait ma tête.
7. J'étais descendu jusqu'aux racines des montagnes ; les verrous de la terre étaient tirés sur moi pour toujours ! Et vous avez fait remonter ma vie de la fosse, Yahweh, mon Dieu !
8. Quand mon âme défaillait en mol, je me suis souvenu de Yahweh ; et ma prière est parvenue jusqu'à vous, à votre saint temple.
9. Ceux qui s'attachent à des vanités futiles abandonnent l'auteur de leur grâce.
10. Mais moi, aux accents de louange, Je votre offrirai un sacrifice ; le voeu que j'ai fait, je l'accomplirai. A Yahweh est le salut !
11. Yahweh parla au poisson, et le poisson vomit Jonas sur la terre.
Footnotes:
2:1-2 - The "day of the Lord" is further described as an event of great darkness and destruction. Joel warns of the impending invasion, associating it with divine action and emphasizing God's power and justice (see also Amos 5:18-20 and Isaiah 13:9-10).
2:12-14 - The call to sincere repentance is central to this passage. Joel exhorts the people to turn to God with all their hearts, with fasting, weeping, and lamentation. The appeal emphasizes that God is merciful and desires to restore what was lost (see also 2 Chronicles 7:14 and Jeremiah 3:12).
2:18-19 - God promises to restore the land and bless the people who repent. This moment of divine mercy contrasts with the judgment described earlier, showing that repentance leads to restoration and peace (see also Isaiah 55:7 and Psalm 30:5).
2:28-32 - Joel prophesies the coming of God's Spirit upon all people, a promise that will be fulfilled at Pentecost, as described in Acts 2:17-21. This outpouring of the Spirit brings hope of spiritual renewal and universal salvation (see also Acts 2:17-18 and Luke 24:49).
02:32 - The promise of salvation is extended to all who call on the name of the Lord, highlighting the universality of God's grace and the importance of faith in times of tribulation (see also Romans 10:13 and Acts 2:21).
Verses related to Joël, 2:
Joel chapter 2 intensifies the message of judgment and hope. How should the imminent “Day of the Lord” shape our response to God? This powerful text describes an invading army, possibly symbolizing divine judgment, followed by a call for genuine repentance. The chapter promises restoration and outpouring of the Spirit for those who turn to God. Joel 2 balances stern warning with glorious promise. Consider with us five biblical passages that elucidate the crucial themes of this transformative chapter.
Acts 2:16-21: "Rather, this is what was said by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, says God, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...'." - Peter directly quotes Joel 2:28-32 on the day of Pentecost, interpreting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as the fulfillment of this prophecy.
Malachi 4:5: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes;" - This verse echoes the "day of the Lord" theme mentioned in Joel 2, connecting it with the coming of a prophetic forerunner.
Revelation 6:12: "I saw when the Lamb opened the sixth seal. There was a big earthquake. The sun turned dark like black mane cloth, the whole moon turned red like blood," - The apocalyptic language used here is reminiscent of the descriptions of the "day of the Lord" in Joel 2, particularly the cosmic signs.
Ezekiel 36:26-27: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take away your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you will keep my judgments and do them." - This promise of spiritual renewal in Ezekiel aligns with the promise of the outpouring of the Spirit in Joel 2:28-29.
Zechariah 12:10: "And upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem I will pour out the spirit of grace and of supplications; they will look at the one they pierced; They will mourn for him as one mourns for an only-begotten, and they will weep for him as one weeps bitterly for the first-born." - This verse also promises a spiritual outpouring, echoing themes from Joel 2 and connecting them with the coming of the Messiah.
FAQ:
What does the "great and terrible" invasion mentioned in Joel 2 mean?
The invasion of a locust-like army represents an impending divine judgment, a demonstration of God's power to punish and at the same time restore His people. (Joel 2:2)
What is Joel's call in chapter 2 regarding repentance?
Joel calls the people to genuine repentance, with broken hearts, fasting, and crying out, so that God, in His mercy, can restore them. (Joel 2:12-13)
How does God promise to restore the land after Israel's repentance?
God promises to restore prosperity to the land, send abundant rains, and restore the crops as a sign of His mercy after the people repent. (Joel 2:18-27)
What is the "day of the Lord" mentioned in Joel 2?
The "day of the Lord" is an expression that refers to the time when God will directly intervene in history, bringing judgment on Israel's enemies and blessing to those who repent. (Joel 2:31-32)
What does God promise regarding His Spirit in Joel 2?
God promises to pour out His Spirit on all flesh, enabling sons and daughters to prophesy, old men to dream dreams, and young men to see visions, as a sign of His grace. (Joel 2:28-29)
