Joel 3
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Commentaries
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GOD'S VENGEANCE ON ISRAEL'S FOES IN THE VALLEY OF JEHOSHAPHAT. HIS BLESSING ON THE CHURCH. (Joel 3:1-21) bring again the captivity--that is, reverse it. The Jews restrict this to the return from Babylon. Christians refer it to the coming of Christ. But the prophet comprises the whole redemption, beginning from the return out of Babylon, then continued from the first advent of Christ down to the last day (His second advent), when God will restore His Church to perfect felicity [CALVIN].
Open source ↗For, behold, in those days, and at that time,.... Which Kimchi refers to the times of the Messiah; and is true of the latter times of the Messiah, of his spiritual reign yet to come: when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem: not from the Edomites, Tyrians, and Philistines, that had carried them captive in the times of Ahaz; nor from Babylon, where they had been carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar; for nothing of what is after foretold followed upon the return of these captivities: but this designs the present captivity of the Jews, and the restoration of them to their own land; of which see Isa 52:8.
Open source ↗(Heb. Bib. ch. 4.) Judgment upon the World of Nations, and Glorification of Zion- Joe 3:1, Joe 3:2. "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall turn the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather together all nations, and bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will contend with them there concerning my people and my inheritance Israel, which they have scattered among the nations, and my land have they divided. Joe 3:3. And for my people they cast the lot; and gave the boy for a harlot, and the maiden they have sold for wine, and drunk (it)." The description of the judgment-day predicted in Joe 2:31 commences with an explanatory כּי. The train of thought is the following: When the day of the Lord comes, there will be deliverance upon Zion only for those who call upon the name of the Lord; for then will all the heathen nations that have displayed hostility to Jehovah's inheritance be judged in the valley of Jehoshaphat. By hinnēh, the fact to be announced is held up as something new and important. The notice as to the time points back to the "afterward" in Joe 2:28 : "in those days," viz., the days of the outpouring of the Spirit of God. This time is still further described by the apposition, "at that time, when I shall turn the captivity of Judah," as the time of the redemption of the people of God out of their prostrate condition, and out of every kind of distress. שׁוּב את שׁבוּת is not used here in the sense of "to bring back the prisoners," but, as in Hos 6:11, in the more comprehensive sense of restitutio in integrum, which does indeed include the gathering together of those who were dispersed, and the return of the captives, as one element, though it is not exhausted by this one element, but also embraces their elevation into a ne…
Open source ↗We have often heard of the year of the redeemed, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion; now here we have a description of the transactions of that year, and a prophecy of what shall be done when it comes, whenever it comes, for it comes often, and at the end of time it will come once for all. I. It shall be the year of the redeemed, for God will bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, Joe 3:1. Though the bondage of God's people may be grievous and very long, yet it shall not be everlasting. That in Egypt ended at length in their deliverance into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Let my son go, the he may serve me. That in Babylon shall likewise end well. And the Lord Jesus will provide for the effectual redemption of poor enslaved souls from under the dominion of sin and Satan, and will proclaim that acceptable year, the year of jubilee, the release of debts and servants, and the opening of the prison to those that were bound. There is a day, there is a time, fixed for the bringing again of the captivity of God's children, for the redeeming of them from the power of the grave; and it shall be the last day and the end of all time. II. It shall be the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion. Though God may suffer the enemies of his people to prevail against them very far and for a long time, yet he will call them to an account for it, and will lead captivity captive (Psa 68:18), will lead those captive that led his people captive, Rev 13:10. Observe, 1. Who those are that shall be reckoned with - all nations, Joe 3:2. This intimates, (1.) That all the nations had made themselves liable to the judgment of God for wrong done to his people. Persecution is the reigning crying sin of the world; that lying in wickedness itself is s…
Open source ↗3:1-16 Joel here foretold divine judgment on the nations, particularly those that had oppressed God’s people.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שְׁבוּת (shᵉbûwth, H7622) — exile, concretely, prisoners; figuratively, a former state of prosperity יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נַחֲלָה (nachălâh, H5159) — properly, something inherited, i.e. (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom;… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity פָּזַר (pâzar, H6340) — to scatter, whether in enmity or bounty חָלַק (châlaq, H2505) — to be smooth (figuratively); by implication (as smooth stones were used for lots) to… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗יָדַד (yâdad, H3032) — properly, to handle, i.e. to throw, e.g. lots גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יֶלֶד (yeled, H3206) — something born, i.e. a lad or offspring זָנָה (zânâh, H2181) — to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely… מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… יַלְדָּה (yaldâh, H3207) — a lass יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine צִידוֹן (Tsîydôwn, H6721) — Tsidon, the name of a son of Canaan, and of a place in Palestine גְלִילָה (gᵉlîylâh, H1552) — a circuit or region פְּלֶשֶׁת (Pᵉlesheth, H6429) — Pelesheth, a region of Syria שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… גְּמוּל (gᵉmûwl, H1576) — treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital גָּמַל (gâmal, H1580) — to treat a person (well or ill), i.e. benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to… קַל (qal, H7031) — light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial) מְהֵרָה (mᵉhêrâh, H4120) — properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… מַחְמָד (machmâd, H4261) — delightful; hence, a delight, i.e. object of affection or desire
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… יְוָנִי (Yᵉvânîy, H3125) — a Jevanite, or descendant of Javan רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the…
Open source ↗עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… גְּמוּל (gᵉmûwl, H1576) — treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗מָכַר (mâkar, H4376) — to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שְׁבָאִי (Shᵉbâʼîy, H7615) — a Shebaite or descendant of Sheba גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) נָגַשׁ (nâgash, H5066) — to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a… עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of…
Open source ↗כָּתַת (kâthath, H3807) — to bruise or violently strike אֵת (ʼêth, H855) — a hoe or other digging implement חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… מַזְמֵרָה (mazmêrâh, H4211) — a pruningknife רֹמַח (rômach, H7420) — a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point חַלָּשׁ (challâsh, H2523) — frail אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
Open source ↗עוּשׁ (ʻûwsh, H5789) — to hasten בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant נָחַת (nâchath, H5181) — to sink, i.e. descend; causatively, to press or lead down יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God
Open source ↗גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עוּר (ʻûwr, H5782) — to wake (literally or figuratively) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מַגָּל (maggâl, H4038) — a sickle קָצִיר (qâtsîyr, H7105) — severed, i.e. harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or figuratively; also… בָּשַׁל (bâshal, H1310) — properly, to boil up; hence, to be done in cooking; figuratively to ripen בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… גַּת (gath, H1660) — a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יֶקֶב (yeqeb, H3342) — a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the… שׁוּק (shûwq, H7783) — to run after or over, i.e. overflow רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
Open source ↗הָמוֹן (hâmôwn, H1995) — a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression) חֲרוּץ (chărûwts, H2742) — properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָרוֹב (qârôwb, H7138) — near (in place, kindred or time)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares the LORD. I will restore them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it.’”
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore Jacob from captivity and will have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name.
I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.
I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore you from captivity and gather you from all the nations and places to which I have banished you, declares the LORD. I will restore you to the place from which I sent you into exile.”
You showed favor to Your land, O LORD; You restored Jacob from captivity.
then He will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you and gather you from all the nations to which the LORD your God has scattered you.
This is what the LORD says: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings. And the city will be rebuilt on her own ruins, and the palace will stand in its rightful place.
Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come from Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad!
Instead they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.’ For I will return them to their land that I gave to their forefathers.
But I will restore Sodom and her daughters from captivity, as well as Samaria and her daughters. And I will restore you along with them.