Joel 3:17
What does Joel 3:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 3:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 3:17 means
The outcome of judgment and refuge is knowledge: “So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain.” God’s presence defines Zion’s holiness. Jerusalem becomes a place set apart to Him, no longer a corridor for invaders—“there shall no strangers pass through her any more.” The emphasis is on security and sanctity, not isolationism. God’s indwelling presence transforms the city’s character and destiny. This anticipates the stable communion between God and His people promised across Scripture, culminating where God dwells with His people forever. Here the promise is concrete: a holy Jerusalem, free from profaning tramplers.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And you will be certain that I am the Lord your God, living in Zion, my holy mountain: and Jerusalem will be holy, and no strange person will ever again go through her.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And ye have known that I <FI>am<Fi> Jehovah your God, Dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain, And Jerusalem hath been holy, And strangers do not pass over into it again.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And you shall know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Sion, my holy mountain: and Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall pass through it no more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And ye shall know that I, Jehovah, [am] yourGod, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain; and Jerusalem shall be holy, and no strangers shall pass through her any more.
Context
Verse 17 interprets the roaring refuge of verse 16: it means God’s known presence in Zion and a purified, secure Jerusalem. With holiness and safety established, the prophecy turns to abundance. The next verse (18) pictures overflowing blessing—wine, milk, and waters—flowing even from the house of Jehovah, signaling life that springs from His presence.
v.16And Jehovah will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but Jehovah will be a refuge unto his people, and a stronghold to the children of Israel.
v.17This passage
v.18And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joel 3:21
And I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed: for Jehovah dwelleth in Zion.
- Zechariah 14:20
In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLY UNTO JEHOVAH; and the pots in Jehovah’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
- Revelation 21:27
and there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
- Micah 4:7
and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nation: and Jehovah will reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever.
- Psalms 76:2
In Salem also is his tabernacle, And his dwelling-place in Zion.
- Daniel 11:45
And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.
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