Joel 3:9

Proclaim ye The words are addressed to those whose duty it would be to make such a proclamation (comp. on Amós 3:9), i.e. the heralds, whom the prophet pictures as ready to carry Jehovah's command to the nations.

this i.e. the following command.

Gentiles nations, as Joel 3:2 (twice).

sanctify (or consecrate) war i.e. beginwar; the phrase having reference to the custom of opening a campaign by means of sacrifices. So Miqueas 3:5; Jeremias 6:4; also Isaías 13:3; Jeremias 22:7; Jeremias 51:27-28, where the warriors are spoken of similarly as "sanctified."

stir up the mightymen] i.e. arouse the warriors (Joel 2:7) from the inactivity of peace.

let, &c. with a dramatic change of person, such as the Hebrew poets love (e.g. Isaías 34:1; Isaías 41:1). In the Heb., let draw near, let them come up, consists of two short words only, the second following rapidly upon the first: the concise and forcible style can be better represented in Greek or Latin (accedant, ascendant), than in English.

come up the expression used of an attacking or invading army (Joel 1:6).