OET interlinear JOEL 2:28

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: writing-newevent

וְ⁠הָיָ֣ה אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵ֗ן

(və⁠hāyāh ʼaḩₐrēy-kēn)

Yahweh is using this phrase to introduce a new event in the story that he goes on to describe. Use a word, phrase, or other method in your language that is natural for introducing a new event.

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אֶשְׁפּ֤וֹךְ אֶת־רוּחִ⁠י֙ עַל־כָּל־בָּשָׂ֔ר

(ʼeshpōk ʼet-rūḩi⁠y ˊal-kāl-bāsār)

Yahweh is speaking as if he would literally pour out his Spirit like a liquid. He means that he will give his Spirit generously. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [I will generously give my Spirit to very many people]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

עַל־כָּל־בָּשָׂ֔ר

(ˊal-kāl-bāsār)

Yahweh is using the term flesh to mean people, by association with the way human bodies are made of flesh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [on very many people]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

עַל־כָּל־בָּשָׂ֔ר

(ˊal-kāl-bāsār)

Yahweh says all here as a generalization for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: [on very many people]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / merism

וְ⁠נִבְּא֖וּ בְּנֵי⁠כֶ֣ם וּ⁠בְנֽוֹתֵי⁠כֶ֑ם

(və⁠nibʼū bənēy⁠kem ū⁠ⱱənōtēy⁠kem)

Yahweh is speaking of the two major components of something in order to mean everything it includes. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [all of your children will prophesy]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / merism

זִקְנֵי⁠כֶם֙ חֲלֹמ֣וֹת יַחֲלֹמ֔וּ⁠ן בַּח֣וּרֵי⁠כֶ֔ם חֶזְיֹנ֖וֹת יִרְאֽוּ

(ziqnēy⁠kem ḩₐlomōt yaḩₐlomū⁠n baḩūrēy⁠kem ḩezyonōt yirʼū)

Yahweh is speaking of two things in order to refer to them and everything in between. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [your men of all ages will see prophetic images]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

חֲלֹמ֣וֹת

(ḩₐlomōt)

Joel assumes that his listeners will know that by dreams he means dreams with prophetic significance. You could say that explicitly if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [dreams with prophetic significance]