Joel 3 18

Joel 3:18 kjv

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth out of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Joel 3:18 nkjv

And it will come to pass in that day That the mountains shall drip with new wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD And water the Valley of Acacias.

Joel 3:18 niv

"In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house and will water the valley of acacias.

Joel 3:18 esv

"And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.

Joel 3:18 nlt

In that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine,
and the hills will flow with milk.
Water will fill the streambeds of Judah,
and a fountain will burst forth from the LORD's Temple,
watering the arid valley of acacias.

Joel 3 verses

Joel 3 18 Meaning

This verse signifies the ultimate, definitive restoration and blessing that God will bring upon His people. It points to a time of abundant divine provision and spiritual renewal, a stark contrast to former desolations and curses. The "mountain of God" represents His holy dwelling place, and the presence of His people there signifies a perfected and secure relationship.

Joel 3 18 Context

Chapter 3 of Joel is a prophecy concerning the Day of the LORD, a time of judgment and eventual restoration for Israel and surrounding nations. Verse 18 specifically marks the turning point within this prophecy, transitioning from judgment to an era of unparalleled blessing and abundance following the judgment on hostile nations and the vindication of Zion. The preceding verses describe the outpouring of God's Spirit and the establishment of His kingdom on Mount Zion. This verse serves as a vivid depiction of the spiritual and material prosperity that will characterize this Messianic age.

Joel 3 18 Word Analysis

• וְהָיָה (və·hā·yāh): "And it shall come to pass" or "And it will be." This phrase introduces a future event, indicating a commencement or continuation of a new phase. It's a common prophetic formula.
• בַּיּוֹם (bay·yō·w): "in that day." Refers to the specific, future day of the LORD mentioned in previous verses, signifying a decisive period.
• הַהַר (hă·hăr): "the mountain." The definite article "ha" points to a specific, significant mountain, likely Mount Zion, the dwelling place of God.
• יִזְּלוּ־ (yız·lə·î): "shall drop," "shall flow down." A verb suggesting a continuous and abundant outpouring, not a mere trickle.
• מְתִיקִים (mə·ṭî·qîm): "sweet." Describes the quality of the wine, emphasizing its richness and pleasantness, a sign of blessing.
• וְהַגְּבָעוֹת (wə·hag·ḡə·ḇā·ʿōṯ): "and the hills." Plural of "gib'ah" (hill). Complementary to "the mountain," extending the scope of divine bounty to the entire landscape.
• חָלָב (ḥā·lāḇ): "milk." Another element of sustenance and prosperity, symbolizing nourishment and abundance.
• וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl): "and all." Emphasizes completeness; there will be no lack.
• אֲפִיקֵי (ʾă·p̄î·qê): "streams," "brooks," "channels." Suggests pathways or conduits through which water flows, here associated with milk, indicating it will be abundant and accessible.
• יְהוּדָה (yə·hū·ḏāh): "Judah." Refers to the land of Judah, indicating the blessing will be specifically upon the covenant people.
• וּמַעְיָנוֹת (ū·ma·ʿə·yā·nō·wṯ): "and springs." Natural sources of water, again signifying inherent and constant provision from the earth.
• מַּיִם (máy·im): "water." Essential for life and agriculture.
• יַהֲלוּ (ya·ha·lū): "will flow" or "will go forth." Another verb of movement and abundance, suggesting vitality and dynamic growth.
• יֵצֵא (yē·ṣēʾ): "will go forth." Indicates emergence or origin, signifying that the source of life and sustenance is God himself.
• מִבַּיִת (mib·ḇay·iṯ): "from the house." Specifically, the "house of the LORD" (Bayith Yehovah), referring to the Temple on Mount Zion. This highlights God as the ultimate source of these blessings.
• יְהוָה (yə·hô·ḇāh): "the LORD." The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and personal relationship with His people.
• וְהִשְׁקָה (wə·hiš·qāh): "and will water." The Hiphil conjugation emphasizes causing something to drink, signifying active provision.
• אֵת־ (ʾēṯ): "the" (direct object marker).
• עֵמֶק (ʿē·meq): "valley." Another geographical feature that will experience abundant watering, signifying blessing reaching all parts of the land.
• שִׁקּוּץ (šiqq·ûṣ): "Shittim." A specific valley or place known historically, perhaps associated with past sin or barrenness, now transformed. Its transformation underscores the totality of the restoration.

Grouped analysis: The prophetic "and it shall come to pass" sets a future tone. The sequence of "mountain," "hills," "valley," and "streams/springs" paints a comprehensive picture of the entire landscape being blessed. The progression from "sweet wine" and "milk" to "water" shows a layered abundance, covering both life-sustaining essentials and joyful provisions. The ultimate source of these blessings is unequivocally "the house of the LORD," emphasizing God's presence and active involvement. The final mention of watering the "valley of Shittim" highlights the radical nature of the transformation, extending blessing even to places previously associated with something negative.

Joel 3 18 Bonus Section

The concept of natural elements producing miraculously abundant and sweet yields, like wine and milk flowing, can be understood in the Old Testament as symbols of God's covenantal favor and the blessings of His kingdom. In Jewish tradition, such abundant blessings are often seen as fulfilling God's promises to Israel in the Land.

The mention of "sweet wine" (meteq) and "milk" (chalav) evokes imagery found elsewhere in Scripture, such as in Song of Solomon, describing the delights of love and blessing, or in the description of the Promised Land as a land "flowing with milk and honey."

The transformation of the "valley of Shittim" is particularly significant. Shittim was the last stopping place of the Israelites before crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land (Num 33:49). It's also associated with the sin of Baal-peor at Shittim, where Israel engaged in sexual immorality and idolatry with the daughters of Moab, leading to divine judgment (Num 25; Ps 106:28-31). Joel's prophecy that this very valley will be watered, implying fertility and life, symbolizes a complete cleansing and renewal, where even places marked by past sin become recipients of God's overflowing grace and restoration. This echoes the New Testament theme of redemption transforming former states of sin into newness of life through Christ.

Joel 3 18 Commentary

This verse is a powerful testament to God's ultimate promise of restoration and overflowing blessing upon His people. It foretells a time of unparalleled prosperity and spiritual vitality that will emanate directly from God's presence. The imagery of mountains dropping sweet wine and hills flowing with milk points to an abundance of rich sustenance and divine favor. This isn't just about material wealth but also a profound sense of God's presence and provision, transforming the very land itself. The blessing is so comprehensive that it reaches every part of the terrain, including a place like the valley of Shittim, which historically held negative associations. The entire bounty originates from the house of the LORD, emphasizing that all good things flow from our relationship with Him and His dwelling place among His people. This speaks of a perfected redeemed state where the curses of sin are replaced by enduring blessings.