John Gill Commentary Joel 2:4

"The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so do they run." — Joel 2:4 (ASV)

The appearance of them [is] as the appearance of horses in their running, as Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it; they came with as much swiftness and eagerness, with as much fierceness and courage, as horses rush into the battle. Bochart^F8 has shown, from various writers, that the head of a locust is in shape like that of a horse; and Theodoret on the text observes, that whoever thoroughly examines the head of a locust will easily perceive that it is very like the head of a horse; see (Revelation 9:7). The Chaldeans are often represented as strong and mighty, fierce and furious, and riding on horses exceeding swift, (Jeremiah 4:13) (5:15) (Habakkuk 1:6–8); and as horsemen, so shall they run; with great agility and swiftness. The particle "as" is observed by some, against those interpreters that apply this wholly to the enemies of the Jews, and not the locusts; and it seems indeed best to favour them; but Theodoret observes, that the "as" here may be taken, not as a note of similitude, but as used for the increase and vehemency of the expression.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F8: Hierozoic. par. 2. l. 4. c. 5. p. 474, 475.