Joel 3:16 kjv
The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.
Joel 3:16 nkjv
The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; The heavens and earth will shake; But the LORD will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.
Joel 3:16 niv
The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Joel 3:16 esv
The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.
Joel 3:16 nlt
The LORD's voice will roar from Zion
and thunder from Jerusalem,
and the heavens and the earth will shake.
But the LORD will be a refuge for his people,
a strong fortress for the people of Israel.
Joel 3 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Amos 1:2 | The LORD roars from Zion... | Direct parallel for God's roar and origin |
| Jer 25:30 | The LORD will roar from on high... | God's powerful roar signifying judgment |
| Hos 11:10 | He will roar like a lion; when He roars... | God's strong, protective, and summoning roar |
| Isa 42:13 | The LORD goes out like a warrior... cries out, yes, shouts a war cry | God as an active, warring judge |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength... | God as a trusted protector and help |
| Ps 9:9 | The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed... | God's protective role for His people |
| Prov 18:10 | The Name of the LORD is a strong tower... | Security and salvation found in God |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble... | God's reliable protection during distress |
| 2 Sam 22:3 | God, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer... | Personal testimony of God's secure nature |
| Jer 16:19 | O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble | God as an ultimate source of security |
| Isa 25:4 | For You have been a stronghold to the poor... | God's special care for the vulnerable |
| Mal 4:1-3 | For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven... for you who fear My name... | Contrasting judgment and salvation |
| Exod 19:18 | Mount Sinai quaked greatly... | Earthly shaking at God's manifestation |
| Ps 18:7 | Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the mountains trembled | Cosmic reaction to God's presence |
| Hag 2:6, 7 | Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth... | Prophecy of cosmic shaking |
| Heb 12:26 | His voice then shook the earth, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more..." | New Covenant understanding of cosmic shaking |
| Isa 13:13 | Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken | Eschatological shaking in judgment |
| Nah 1:5 | The mountains quake before Him; the hills melt... | God's overwhelming power affecting creation |
| Rev 16:18 | And there were flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder, and a great earthquake | End-time cosmic disturbances |
| Matt 24:30 | ...then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds... | Global mourning contrasting with the protected |
| Deut 33:27 | The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms | God as perpetual refuge for His people |
| Zech 14:4 | ...and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two... | Literal shaking of the earth in a Day of the Lord context |
Joel 3 verses
Joel 3 16 Meaning
Joel 3:16 encapsulates the awe-inspiring dual nature of the Day of the Lord: a universal display of divine power leading to cosmic judgment for the nations and an assured, impenetrable sanctuary for God's covenant people. It describes God's dramatic and authoritative announcement of His presence, a declaration that causes the very fabric of creation to tremble, yet simultaneously guarantees the safety and protection of Israel from His holy dwelling place.
Joel 3 16 Context
Joel 3:16 appears at the climax of Joel's prophetic book concerning the "Day of the Lord." Chapters 1 and 2 describe an immediate threat (the locust plague) as a preview or "type" of the more encompassing and dreadful future Day of the Lord, calling the people to repentance. Chapter 3 then transitions to this final, ultimate Day of the Lord, where God gathers the nations into the "Valley of Jehoshaphat" (the "Valley of the Lord's judgment") to execute judgment against them for their injustices, particularly against Israel. Within this grand, terrifying divine assize, verse 16 vividly portrays the dramatic manifestation of Yahweh as both an avenging judge over the earth and an unwavering protector for His chosen covenant people, Israel, with His divine power emanating directly from Jerusalem. Historically, this prophecy would have resonated with an audience familiar with divine interventions and the understanding of God's covenant loyalty.
Joel 3 16 Word analysis
- The Lord (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is God's covenant name, underscoring His self-existence, eternal nature, and personal relationship with Israel. It highlights His unchanging character as the one who fulfills His promises and executes His decrees.
- roars (יִשְׁאָג, yish'ag): From the verb sha'ag, meaning "to roar like a lion." This vivid imagery conveys absolute power, terrifying authority, and imminent judgment. It is an audible warning of God's active presence and formidable might.
- from Zion (מִצִיּוֹן, mitsTsiyon): Zion is synonymous with Jerusalem, God's chosen city and the site of His temple. This indicates that God's power and decrees emanate from His dwelling place among His people, reinforcing His sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant.
- utters (וְקוֹל֣וֹ יִתֵּ֔ן, veqolow yitten): Literally "and gives His voice." This emphasizes the intentional, powerful, and decisive proclamation by God. It signifies His absolute authority and that His words carry immense force and consequence.
- His voice from Jerusalem (וְקוֹלוֹ מִירוּשָׁלַ֫יִם, veqolow miYerushalayim): A parallelism reinforcing "from Zion," reiterating that God's powerful proclamation originates from the very heart of His holy land and covenant community.
- and the heavens and the earth quake (וְרָעֲשׁ֤וּ שָׁמַ֣יִם וָאָ֔רֶץ, vera'ashu shamayim va'aretz): The entire cosmos responds to God's roar. The verb ra'ashu means "to shake, tremble, quake." This depicts the overwhelming scale and impact of God's majestic presence and judgment, affecting all creation, not merely symbolic.
- But (וְ, we): This conjunction introduces a sharp contrast, a turning point in the verse. Despite the universal shaking and terrifying judgment, there is a clear distinction made for God's chosen people.
- The Lord is a refuge (וַיהוָה מַחֲסֶ֣ה, vayahweh machaseh): Machaseh denotes a shelter, asylum, or safe place. It speaks to God's protective nature, offering secure haven for His people amidst cosmic chaos and external threats.
- to his people (לְעַמּוֹ, le'ammo): Refers to Israel, God's covenant people. The phrase emphasizes the special relationship and covenant loyalty between God and those He has chosen.
- a stronghold (וּמָעוֹז, uma'oz): Ma'oz means "fortress, fortified place, strength." This reinforces the concept of refuge, depicting God as an impregnable defense that shields and strengthens His people against any adversary.
- to the people of Israel (לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל, livne Yisra'el): A direct, explicit reiteration of "to His people," underscoring the specific identity of those who will experience God's protection amidst the surrounding devastation.
Joel 3 16 Bonus section
- The lion's roar in ancient Near Eastern contexts was not only a sound but a declaration of territorial ownership, authority, and imminent danger for any intruders. When Yahweh roars from Zion, it signifies His rightful dominion over the earth and His righteous indignation against those who oppose Him and mistreat His people.
- The "Day of the Lord" in prophecy is consistently portrayed as both a day of dreadful darkness and judgment for the wicked, and a day of light, deliverance, and salvation for the righteous. Joel 3:16 perfectly encapsulates this dual aspect.
- The imagery of heavens and earth quaking is a recurring motif associated with God's visible presence (theophany), particularly when He descends to intervene in human history or to execute judgment, often reminding the reader of the awesome display at Mount Sinai.
- The assurance of God as a "refuge" and "stronghold" would have provided immense comfort and stability to ancient Israel, a people frequently besieged and facing powerful external threats, reminding them of God's faithfulness in previous deliverances.
- The ultimate fulfillment of God's "refuge" may extend to the secure presence of the New Jerusalem where believers dwell safely with God (Rev 21), experiencing His protection in eternal rest, contrasted with the final judgment of all who reject Him.
Joel 3 16 Commentary
Joel 3:16 provides a panoramic view of divine sovereignty, contrasting God's terrifying judgment with His steadfast salvation. The "roar from Zion" is God's battle cry, a mighty declaration emanating from His holy dwelling that signals an all-encompassing judgment on the nations, causing the entire created order to reel in cosmic upheaval. Yet, in striking contrast, this very manifestation of God's awesome power becomes the source of unwavering security for His covenant people. For them, He transforms from an intimidating judge into an impregnable refuge and stronghold. The verse thus serves as a powerful assurance that no matter the scale of tribulation or the severity of divine wrath poured out upon the ungodly, God's people find guaranteed protection and salvation under His unwavering hand, emphasizing His faithfulness even amidst cosmic collapse.