Joel 3:1-16

1 "For then, at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Y'hudah and Yerushalayim,
2 I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Y'hoshafat [ADONAI judges]. I will enter into judgment there for my people, my heritage Isra'el, whom they scattered among the nations; then they divided my land.
3 They drew lots for my people, traded boys for whores, sold girls for wine to drink.
4 "Moreover, what have you against me, Tzor, Tzidon, all parts of P'leshet? Are you paying me back for something I did? If you're paying me back for something I did, then easily, quickly, I'll pay you back right on your own head.
5 You took my silver and gold. You brought my good treasures into your temples.
6 The people of Y'hudah and Yerushalayim you sold to the Greeks, so that you could remove them far away from their land.
7 I will rouse them from the place where you sold them and pay you back right on your own head
8 I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Y'hudah; and they will sell them to the men of Sh'va, a nation far off; for ADONAI has spoken.
9 "Proclaim this among the nations: 'Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the fighting men approach and attack.'
10 Hammer your plow-blades into swords and your pruning-knives into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'
11 Hurry, come, you surrounding nations, gather yourselves together!" Bring your warriors down, ADONAI!
12 "Let the nations be roused and come up to the Valley of Y'hoshafat [ADONAI judges]. For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations."
13 Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, and tread, for the winepress is full. The vats are overflowing, for their wickedness is great.
14 Such enormous crowds in the Valley of Decision! For the Day of ADONAI is upon us in the Valley of Decision!
15 The sun and moon have grown black, and the stars have stopped shining.
16 ADONAI will roar from Tziyon, he will thunder from Yerushalayim, the sky and the earth will shake. But ADONAI will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Isra'el.

Joel 3:1-16 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOEL 3

This chapter, which some make the fourth, contains a prophecy of God's judgments on all the antichristian nations at the time of the Jews' conversion, and the reasons of them, Joe 3:1-3; a threatening of Tyre and Zidon, by way of retaliation, for carrying the riches of the Jews into their temples, and selling their persons to the Greeks, Joe 3:4-8; an alarm to prepare for the battle of Armageddon, or the destruction that shall be made in the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joe 3:9-15; and after that an account of the happy state of the church of Christ, their safety and security, plenty, prosperity, and purity, to the end of the world, Joe 3:16-21.

Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.