The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

JOEL 2:31KJV
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Joel 2:31 (KJV)

What does Joel 2:31 mean?

Joel 2:31 describes a dramatic sign: the sun will become dark and the moon will appear red like blood before a great and awe-inspiring day when the LORD acts in judgment. This verse points to striking changes in the sky as warnings or signals before an important event involving God.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah, warning them about a coming time of God’s intervention, often called “the day of the LORD.” The language uses vivid images—darkened sun and blood-red moon—to show that this day will be unmistakable and serious, not an ordinary event. The verse is part of a larger passage describing both judgment and the hope of deliverance for those who turn to God.

The Hebrew behind Joel 2:31

  • “Sun” (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh) and “moon” (יָרֵחַ, yareach) are the ordinary Hebrew words for these lights in the sky, emphasizing that these are real, visible signs, not just symbols.
  • “Turned” (הָפַךְ, hafakh) means to change or transform completely, stressing that the sun and moon will not just look a little different, but will be dramatically altered.
  • “Darkness” (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshekh) and “blood” (דָּם, dam) are strong, concrete words. “Darkness” points to a total loss of light, and “blood” suggests a deep red color, not literal blood, but a striking, unsettling appearance.
  • “Great” (גָּדוֹל, gadol) and “terrible” (נוֹרָא, nora) together mean this day will be both impressive and fearsome, not just big but also awe-inspiring and alarming.

Why Joel 2:31 matters

  • Joel 2:31 clarifies that the signs in the sky are meant as warnings before God’s decisive action, not just random natural events.
  • The verse connects the cosmic signs to the theme of “the day of the LORD,” a key idea in Joel and other prophets, showing that God’s intervention will be obvious and impossible to ignore.
  • Understanding the original words helps show that these are not just poetic images, but descriptions meant to grab attention and signal a real, coming change in history.

Where else these words appear

“moon” Hebrew H3394 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
  • Psalms 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
  • Ecclesiastes 12:2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

“darkness” Hebrew H2822 · used in 77 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Job 19:8 He hath fenced up my way that I cannot pass, and he hath set darkness in my paths.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:14 The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all.

“turned” Hebrew H2015 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 1 Kings 22:34 And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.
  • Psalms 105:29 He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.