Joel 2:7-9

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks:

Depicting the regular military order of their advance, 'One locust not turning a nail's breadth out of his own place in the march' (Jerome). Compare Proverbs 30:27, "The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands."

Verse 8. Neither shall one thrust another - i:e., press upon so as to thrust his next neighbour out of his place, as usually occurs in a large multitude.

When they fall upon the sword - literally, among the darts or missiles. They shall not be wounded - because they are protected by defensive armour (Grotius). They had a kind of gorget round their neck, and a soldier-like helm on their heads. Maurer translates, 'Their (the locusts') ranks are not broken [ yibtsaa`uw (H1214)] when they rush among missiles' (cf. Daniel 11:22, "They shall be broken").

Verse 9. They shall run to and fro in the city - greedily seeking what they can devour. "The city" is Jerusalem, which implies that human foes, not mere insects, are meant.

They shall run upon the wall - surrounding each house in Eastern buildings.

They shall enter in at the windows - though barred.

Like a thief - the symbol of the coming Antichrist (John 10:1; cf. Jeremiah 9:21, "Death is come up into our windows, and is entered into our palaces"). As these symbolical locusts, the precursory instruments of God's judgments, come unawares as a thief, so Christ, the judge, Himself saith, "Behold, I come as a thief" (Revelation 16:15; cf. Revelation 3:3; Matthew 24:33; Luke 12:39; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Peter 3:10).