Joel 3:12 kjv
Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
Joel 3:12 nkjv
"Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
Joel 3:12 niv
"Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.
Joel 3:12 esv
Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
Joel 3:12 nlt
"Let the nations be called to arms.
Let them march to the valley of Jehoshaphat.
There I, the LORD, will sit
to pronounce judgment on them all.
Joel 3 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Joel 3:2 | "I will gather all nations...and will enter into judgment with them..." | God gathers nations for judgment. |
| Joel 3:14 | "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near..." | The Valley of Decision for final judgment. |
| Psa 9:8 | "He judges the world in righteousness; he judges the peoples with equity." | God's righteous judgment. |
| Psa 50:4-6 | "He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people..." | God summons for judgment. |
| Isa 2:4 | "...he shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples..." | God as ultimate judge among nations. |
| Isa 24:21-22 | "On that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven, and the kings of the earth..." | Universal scope of divine judgment. |
| Isa 66:16 | "For by fire will the LORD enter into judgment... with all flesh..." | God's fiery judgment on all. |
| Jer 25:31 | "...the LORD has a controversy with the nations; he will execute judgment on all flesh..." | God's legal dispute and judgment with nations. |
| Ezek 38:18-23 | "On that day, when Gog comes... my wrath will flare up..." | Divine judgment on hostile nations (Gog). |
| Dan 7:9-10 | "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat... The court sat in judgment..." | Description of heavenly judicial assembly. |
| Zech 12:2-3 | "...I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of staggering... On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples." | Nations gather against Jerusalem, then face judgment. |
| Zech 14:2 | "For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle..." | Nations gathered against Jerusalem before divine intervention. |
| Matt 25:31-32 | "When the Son of Man comes... all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them..." | Christ's future judgment of all nations. |
| Acts 17:31 | "He has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed..." | God appointed a day for judgment. |
| Rom 2:6 | "He will render to each one according to his works..." | Basis of judgment for all. |
| 2 Cor 5:10 | "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ..." | All, including believers, face judgment. |
| Rev 16:14-16 | "...for the battle of the great day of God Almighty... called in Hebrew Armageddon." | The ultimate battle location prefaces final judgment. |
| Rev 19:11 | "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges..." | Christ as the righteous judge. |
| Rev 20:11-13 | "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it... and the dead were judged..." | The Great White Throne judgment. |
Joel 3 verses
Joel 3 12 Meaning
Joel 3:12 prophesies a solemn, definitive gathering of all Gentile nations (often translated "heathen" in older versions) by divine command. This assembly is specifically called to the symbolic "valley of Jehoshaphat," a name meaning "Yahweh judges," where God Himself will take His seat to execute ultimate and righteous judgment upon them for their past actions against His people, particularly Israel, as described earlier in Joel 3. It signifies God's absolute sovereignty and the certain retribution against those who oppose His divine plan.
Joel 3 12 Context
Joel chapter 3 vividly portrays the "Day of the Lord," a recurrent prophetic theme. Following Israel's restoration (Joel 3:1), God declares His intent to execute judgment on all nations (Joel 3:2-8). These nations are indicted for scattering His people, dividing His land, and exploiting them. Verse 12 is a direct summons for these transgressing nations to gather, not for battle as they might perceive, but for divine adjudication. The immediate verses describe the imagery of harvest (Joel 3:13), symbolizing that their wickedness is ripe for judgment, leading into the climactic scene in the "valley of decision" (Joel 3:14), where the multitudes face their definitive verdict. Historically, this prophecy anticipates a future universal judgment that will settle all grievances and establish God's eternal justice and rule.
Joel 3 12 Word analysis
- Let the heathen be wakened / יֵעוֹר֣וּ (ye'oru): The Hebrew verb is 'ur, meaning "to wake up, rouse, stir up." In this context, it is a divine command or challenge, implying an active stirring or a self-rousal of the nations for a purpose decreed by God. It’s an imperative, demanding attention and movement from the nations, preparing them not for their intended war, but for the unexpected reality of divine judgment. "Heathen" (הַגּוֹיִם֮ - haggoyim) refers to the non-Israelite nations, especially those who opposed God and His people.
- and come up / וְיַעֲל֣וּ (veyau'lu): From the root 'alah, meaning "to go up, ascend." This implies movement towards a specific location, often a higher ground or a place of assembly. Here, it denotes their convergence to the appointed judgment site.
- to the valley / אֶל־עֵ֣מֶק (el-'emeq): 'Emeq signifies a low, flat expanse between hills or mountains. This literal geological feature often contrasts with high places of worship or battle, making the valley a significant, observable gathering point.
- of Jehoshaphat / יְהוֹשָׁפָ֔ט (Yehoshaphat): This name holds immense theological weight, meaning "Yahweh judges" or "the Lord has judged." While some historical sites bear this name or are associated with it (e.g., Kidron Valley near Jerusalem), it primarily functions symbolically here as the archetypal place of God's universal judgment, where His justice is meted out decisively. Its mention reinforces the central theme of the entire chapter.
- for there / כִּי־שָׁם֙ (ki-sham): "For there" emphasizes the designated location for God's judicial action. The conjunction ki ("for" or "because") introduces the reason or purpose for their summons: God's judgment.
- will I sit / אֵשֵׁ֔ב (eshev): From the verb yashab, meaning "to sit, dwell, remain." Here, it signifies the posture of a judge taking His seat on a throne or judgment bench to preside over a legal proceeding. It conveys divine authority, stability, and preparation for an official, unchallengeable verdict.
- to judge / לִשְׁפּ֥וֹט (lishpot): From the verb shaphat, meaning "to judge, govern, decide." This is the ultimate purpose of their summons. It entails not just pronouncing a verdict but also executing justice and establishing righteous order. God's judgment is absolute and just.
- all the heathen round about / אֶת־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֖ם מִסָּבִֽיב (et-kol-haggoyim missaviv): This phrase signifies the global and comprehensive nature of this judgment. "All the heathen" (kol-haggoyim) ensures no nation is exempt, while "round about" (missaviv) further emphasizes their encirclement, gathered from every direction for the precise purpose of standing before the divine Judge. This universality highlights God's dominion over all peoples.
Joel 3 12 Bonus section
The "Valley of Jehoshaphat" as a literal place remains ambiguous in Scripture. Some scholars suggest it could be the Kidron Valley east of Jerusalem, given its historical significance as a burial place and a path for prophetic figures. However, its primary emphasis lies in its symbolic meaning: the place where "Yahweh judges." This is a profound polemic against any notion that earthly powers or pagan gods could defy or escape the supreme judgment of the one true God. The scene depicted echoes the later "Valley of Decision" in Joel 3:14, solidifying the idea that this is a conclusive, undeniable reckoning. This prophetic image assures God's people throughout history of His ultimate vindication and the certainty of His justice over all earthly wickedness and oppression. The concept of God gathering nations for judgment is a recurring motif in both Old and New Testaments, consistently pointing to an eschatological time when all humanity will face the just Judge of all the earth.
Joel 3 12 Commentary
Joel 3:12 encapsulates a profound message of divine accountability. It reveals God's authoritative summons to all hostile nations to convene at a chosen location—symbolically the "Valley of Jehoshaphat"—not for their intended conflict, but as a judicial assembly. Here, God asserts His absolute sovereignty, declaring that He will personally sit as the Judge, presiding over the accusations against them for their injustices towards His people and land. This scene is a dramatic reversal of human power dynamics, where the nations that oppressed God's chosen ones are now themselves subjected to His unchallengeable judgment. It's a vivid declaration of ultimate justice, affirming that God will indeed settle all accounts, demonstrating His righteous character and unfailing vindication of His covenant people.