The execution of the sentence is represented under two figures, the reaping of a harvest, and the treading of grapes in the wine-press. Comp. the same figures in Revelation 14:15 f. and 19 f.

Put ye in The command is addressed to the -mighty ones" of Joel 3:11.

the sickle Heb. maggâl, only besides Jeremiah 50:16. The same word (in the fem., magaltâ) is common in Syriac, and the Arab. manjalis current in Palestine at the present day (P.E.F.Q. St[51] 1891, p. 112). The other Heb. word for sickleis ḥermçsh(only Deuteronomy 16:9 Deuteronomy 23:26).

[51] .E.F.Q. St.Palestine Exploration Fund, Quarterly Statements.

get you down viz. into the wine-press (gâth), for the purpose of treading the grapes (on Joel 2:24), here figuratively of the destruction of foes, exactly as Isaiah 63:3 [52].

[52] The rendering tread(from רדה) is questionable.

the vats overflow The same words (in a literal sense) Joel 2:24. Here they are meant as a significant indication of the numbers to be judged, as also of their ripeness for judgement: the grapes in the wine-press represent the nations; and the vats overflow with the expressed juice, not in consequence of the grapes being trodden, but before they have been trodden, simply through the weight of the superincumbent mass of grapes themselves.

for their wickednessis great A second reason, expressed without metaphor, why the judgement is to be put into execution.

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