Joel 3:4
What does Joel 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Joel 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Joel 3:4 means
The Lord turns directly to Tyre, Sidon, and all Philistia. His question, “What are ye to me?” exposes their presumption. If they imagine they are repaying an injury from God, or evening a score, they are deeply deceived. Any attempt at recompense will rebound “swiftly and speedily” on their own heads. Their hostility toward Judah is treated as hostility toward the Lord Himself. He rejects their claim to retaliate as if they were wronged; instead, He asserts the right to repay them. The forceful tone underscores that no coastal wealth, alliances, or military bravado can shield them from the immediate justice of Israel’s God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yea, and what are ye to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yea, and what are ye to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And further, what are you to me, O Tyre and Zidon and all the circle of Philistia? will you give me back any payment? and if you do, quickly and suddenly I will send it back on your head,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And also, what <FI>are<Fi> ye to Me, O Tyre and Zidon, And all circuits of Philistia? Recompence are ye rendering unto Me? And if ye are giving recompence to Me, Swiftly, hastily, I turn back your recompence on your head.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But what have you to do with me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the coast of the Philistines? will you revenge yourselves on me? and if you revenge yourselves on me, I will very soon return you a recompense upon your own head.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Yea also, what have ye to do with me, O Tyre and Zidon, and all the districts of Philistia? Will ye render me a recompence? But if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I bring your recompence upon your own head;
Context
The narrative now names offenders who profited from Judah’s distress. After listing general crimes, Joel spotlights the Phoenician cities and Philistia—historic oppressors and traders. The verse establishes God’s readiness to act swiftly, a theme that continues as He specifies their pillaging and slave trading. Next, verses 5–6 state the concrete acts that warrant the promised payback.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 59:18
According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, wrath to his adversaries, recompense to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompense.
- Jeremiah 51:6
Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and save every man his life; be not cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of Jehovah’s vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.
- Zechariah 9:2
and Hamath, also, which bordereth thereon; Tyre and Sidon, because they are very wise.
- Luke 18:7
And shall not God avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them?
- Amos 1:6
Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Gaza, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they carried away captive the whole people, to deliver them up to Edom.
- 2 Chronicles 28:17
For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.
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