Joel 2:16
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Cross-reference
2 Chronicles 20:13 describes all Judah with wives and children standing before the Lord, mirroring this call for every family member to assemble.
Matthew 9:15 uses the same bridegroom imagery: the time for fasting and mourning comes when the bridegroom is taken away, mirroring Joel's call.
Zechariah 12:11-14 describes mourning where husbands and wives are separate, directly paralleling Joel's call for the bridegroom and bride to leave their chamber.
In 2 Chronicles 35:6, Josiah commands consecration for Passover — the same directive to sanctify before a sacred assembly.
In 2 Chronicles 29:5, Hezekiah commands Levites to consecrate themselves and the temple — a direct parallel to Joel's call for sanctification.
Exodus 19:10 has Moses consecrate the people before meeting God — mirroring the consecration of the assembly in Joel.
In Joshua 7:13, a similar command to consecrate the people because of hidden sin — both call for sanctification before facing God's judgment.
Deuteronomy 29:11 extends the assembly to include children and resident aliens, matching Joel's inclusive call for even the youngest and newlyweds.
Deuteronomy 29:10 shows a similar solemn assembly of all Israel including leaders and elders before God, echoing the gathering commanded here.
Exodus 19:15 commands preparation and abstinence — directly parallel to the call to consecrate the assembly here.
Joshua 3:5 commands the people to consecrate themselves before the Lord acts, directly paralleling this call to consecrate the assembly for the day of the Lord.
In Ezra 10:1, men, women, and children gather weeping in confession — the same inclusive, penitent assembly as here.
Jonah 3:7 issues a similar urgent decree for repentance (including animals), echoing the solemn assembly commanded here for a national fast.
In 2 Chronicles 30:19, God accepts those who seek Him despite incomplete consecration — contrasting Joel's demand for full sanctification.
In Joshua 8:35, the entire congregation, including women and children, gathers to hear the Law — mirroring the inclusive assembly here for repentance.
In 1 Samuel 16:5, Samuel calls for consecration before a sacrifice — a parallel ritual of preparing to meet God.
In 2 Chronicles 30:17, Levites consecrate those who are unclean — paralleling Joel's call for universal purification before God.