Joel 3:1

The Lord Plans to Judge the Nations

3:1 (4:1) ¹  For look! In those ²  days and at that time

I will return the exiles ³  to Judah and Jerusalem. ⁴ 

Joel 3:15-16

3:15 The sun and moon are darkened;

the stars withhold ⁵  their brightness.

3:16 The Lord roars from Zion;

from Jerusalem ⁶  his voice bellows out. ⁷ 

The heavens ⁸  and the earth shake.

But the Lord is a refuge for his people;

he is a stronghold for the citizens ⁹  of Israel.

[3:1]  ¹ sn Joel 3:1 in the English Bible is 4:1 in the Hebrew text (BHS). See also the note at 2:28.

[3:1]  ² tc The MT and LXX read “in those days,” while MurXII reads “in that day.”

[3:1]  ³ tc The Kethib reads אָשִׁיב (’ashiv, “return the captivity [captives]), while the Qere is אָשׁוּב (’ashuv, “restore the fortunes”). Many modern English versions follow the Qere reading. Either reading seems to fit the context. Joel refers to an exile of the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem in 3:2-6 and their return from exile in 3:7. On the other hand, 2:25-26 describes the reversal of judgment and restoration of the covenant blessings. However, the former seems to be the concern of the immediate context.

[3:1]  ⁴ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[3:15]  ⁵ tn Heb “gather in.”

[3:16]  ⁹ map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.

[3:16]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “he sounds forth his voice.”

[3:16]  ¹¹ tn Or “the sky.” See the note on “sky” in 2:30.

[3:16]  ¹² tn Heb “sons.”