es among Israel; in ver. 20,
those which it effects among the Gentiles: compare the antithesis
between the beasts of the field and the sons of Zion in ii. 22. In Is.
lvi. 9, the beasts of the field likewise occur as a figurative
designation of the heathen. In Jer. xiv.--a prophecy which has been
distorted by expositors through a too literal interpretation--the image
is, in vers. 5, 6, individualized by the mention of particular wild
beasts--the hind and the wild ass. Joel himself indicates that
the beasts in this description must, in general, be understood
figuratively, by using in ver. 18 the word [Hebrew: nawmv], which can
be explained only by "become guilty," "suffer punishment." (Compare Is.
xxiv. 6: "Therefore curse devoureth the land, and they that dwell in it
become guilty;" and [Pg 314] Hos. xiv. 1.) The word [Hebrew: nanHh],
which is never used of beasts, likewise leads us to think of men. "How
do the beasts groan," is explained by "All the merry-hearted do groan,"
in Is. xxiv. 7. The words [Hebrew: terg aliK], in which there is an
evident allusion to Ps. xlii. 2, must likewise appear strange, if the
description be understood literally. But what is decisive in favour of
the figurative interpretation is ii. 22: "Be not afraid, ye beasts of
the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green with grass, for
the tree beareth her fruit, the fig-tree and vine do yield their
strength." The object of joy is here described, first, figuratively,
and then, literally. The pastures of the wilderness are green with
grass, _i.e._, the tree, etc. It is only thus that the [Hebrew: ki] can
be accounted for; it states the reason, only when the pastures of the
wilderness are not understood literally. _The fruits of the trees are
mentioned here as the ordinary food of the beasts of the field._
_Hitzig_, it is true, remarks on this: "That many beasts of the field
feed upon fruits of trees which they gather up, and that, _e.g._, foxes
eat grapes also." But the point at issue here is the ordinary food; and
Gen. i. 29, 30, where the trees are given to man, and the grass to the
beasts, is decisive as to the literal or figurative interpretation.
Under the image of unclean beasts--especially wild beasts--the Gentiles
appear also in Acts xi. 6.--Nor can "the rivers of water" (ver. 20) be
understood literally. The water of rivers, brooks, and fountains, is,
in Scripture, the ordinary figure for the sources of sustenance, of
thriving, we