Joel 3:2
What does Joel 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 3:2 means
God announces a universal summons: all nations will be gathered and brought down to the valley of Jehoshaphat—literally, “Yahweh judges.” There the Lord Himself will prosecute a case on behalf of “my people” and “my heritage Israel.” The specific indictments are grave: they scattered His people among the nations and carved up “my land,” treating what is God’s as their own to divide. This is no random battlefield; it is the Lord’s courtroom. The wrongs against Israel are ultimately sins against Israel’s God. He claims the people and the land as His, and He will vindicate both in open sight of the assembled nations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land,
KJV
King James Version · 1611I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment upon them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I will get together all the nations, and make them come down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and there I will take up with them the cause of my people and of my heritage Israel, whom they have sent wandering among the nations, and of my land which has been parted by them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then I have gathered all the nations, And caused them to go down unto the valley of Jehoshaphat, And I have been judged with them there, Concerning My people and Mine inheritance--Israel, Whom they scattered among nations, And My land they have apportioned.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I will gather together all nations and will bring them down into the valley of Josaphat: and I will plead with them there for my people, and for my inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and have parted my land.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I will also gather all the nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of my people and mine inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land;
Context
Following the promise of restoration, the focus shifts to the gathering of the Gentile powers for judgment. Verse 2 establishes the place and purpose: a divine tribunal convened by God. The next verses detail the nations’ crimes with shocking specificity, highlighting enslavement and sacrilege. Keeping this judicial setting in view will help interpret the later images of harvest and winepress as the execution of the verdict rendered here.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 49:1
Of the children of Ammon. Thus saith Jehovah: Hath Israel no sons? hath he no heir? why then doth Malcam possess Gad, and his people dwell in the cities thereof?
- Isaiah 66:16
For by fire will Jehovah execute judgment, and by his sword, upon all flesh; and the slain of Jehovah shall be many.
- Ezekiel 38:22
And with pestilence and with blood will I enter into judgment with him; and I will rain upon him, and upon his hordes, and upon the many peoples that are with him, an overflowing shower, and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
- Revelation 19:19
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
- Jeremiah 25:31
A noise shall come even to the end of the earth; for Jehovah hath a controversy with the nations; he will enter into judgment with all flesh: as for the wicked, he will give them to the sword, saith Jehovah.
- Zephaniah 3:8
Therefore wait ye for me, saith Jehovah, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Joel 3
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Joel 3.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
Topic
Bible Verses About Being Filled with the Spirit
The Bible encourages believers to be filled with the Spirit, a divine empowerment for Christian life and witness
Topic
Bible Verses About The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is God’s presence, power, and wisdom, guiding believers into truth, empowering them for service, and transforming their lives