Joel 3:10
What does Joel 3:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 3:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 3:10 means
The Lord taunts the nations to exhaust every resource: beat plowshares into swords, pruning-hooks into spears; let the weak boast, “I am strong.” This is the grim reverse of the peace envisioned elsewhere. Here, humanity pours its productivity into instruments of conflict, summoning even the frail to swagger. God gives them their day to pose as powerful. Yet the very call exposes the futility of their strength against Him. If the best they can muster is forged from farm tools and emboldened by bravado, they will not stand. The verse highlights the tragic misdirection of human energy when set against God’s rule.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Get your plough-blades hammered into swords, and your vine-knives into spears: let the feeble say, I am strong.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Beat your ploughshares to swords, And your pruning-hooks to javelins, Let the weak say, `I <FI>am<Fi> mighty.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Cut your ploughshares into swords, and your spades into spears. Let the weak say: I am strong.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Beat your ploughshares into swords, and your pruning-knives into spears; let the weak say, I am strong.
Context
This command continues the war-muster begun in verse 9. It clarifies that the gathering is comprehensive: no one sits out. It also prepares the reader for the stark contrast in verses 11–12, where God brings down His “mighty ones” and then seats Himself to judge. Human might will soon meet divine majesty in the valley of Jehoshaphat.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zechariah 12:8
In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.
- 2 Chronicles 25:8
But if thou wilt go, do valiantly, be strong for the battle: God will cast thee down before the enemy; for God hath power to help, and to cast down.
- Micah 4:3
and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
- Luke 22:36
And he said unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise a wallet; and he that hath none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword.
- Isaiah 2:4
And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
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