Joel 2:20

Northern army. Locusts have been reported occasionally entering Palestine from the northeast, though more generally they come from the arid regions to the south of Judah. Here the north is obviously selected because many of Judah’s enemies entered Palestine from the north. The locust invasion, though probably real, was presumably also a figure of the invasion of hostile armies (see on ch. 1:4). Some who hold to an early date for Joel (see p. 21) see a reference here to the Assyrians. Those who hold to a date in the time of Josiah see a reference to the Babylonians (see Jer. 1:14; 4:6). The devastation caused by the Babylonians might have been averted by sincere repentance and reform (see p. 31).

Drive him. A vivid description of the speedy and total destruction of the locusts.

With his face. The Hebrews frequently designated directions of the compass, from the standpoint of facing east. Thus the west would be behind them, the south on the right hand, and the north on the left.

East sea. The Dead Sea.

Utmost sea. That is, the Mediterranean.

His stink. Observers have noted the sickening stench arising from the putrefying bodies of masses of locusts.

He hath done. That is, the locust army in its destructiveness.