Joel 2:31

Celestial portents. The imagery may be suggested partly by eclipses (cf. on Amos 8:9), partly by unusual obscurations of sun or moon through atmospheric disturbances, for instance, sand-storms, cyclones, flights of locusts, &c. "A dreadful whirlwind occurred here [in Allahabad] on June 2, 1838. The whole sky was blood-red, not with clouds, for there was not a cloud to be seen. Overhead moved immense masses of dust; but below there was not a breath of wind. Shortly after, the wind rose, carrying with it sand and dust. It soon became extremely dark, although the sun was still up. The darkness was not only visible but tangible. The wind wrought immense damage" (Asiatic Journal, Nov. 1838, p. 155, referred to by Ewald).

into darkness comp. Joel 2:10, with the passages there cited.

into blood comp. Revelation 6:12 (the imagery of which is based upon this passage, as that of Joel 2:13 is upon Isaiah 34:4). Ovid (quoted by Credner), among the celestial portents which he describes as preceding the death of Caesar, includes sparsi lunares sanguine currus(Met.xv. 790).

before&c. exactly the same words as in Malachi 4:5.