Joel 3 4

Joel 3:4 kjv

Yea, 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;

Joel 3:4 nkjv

"Indeed, what have you to do with Me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Philistia? Will you retaliate against Me? But if you retaliate against Me, Swiftly and speedily I will return your retaliation upon your own head;

Joel 3:4 niv

"Now what have you against me, Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done.

Joel 3:4 esv

"What are you to me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you paying me back for something? If you are paying me back, I will return your payment on your own head swiftly and speedily.

Joel 3:4 nlt

"What do you have against me, Tyre and Sidon and you cities of Philistia? Are you trying to take revenge on me? If you are, then watch out! I will strike swiftly and pay you back for everything you have done.

Joel 3 verses

Joel 3 4 Meaning

This verse signifies God's powerful intervention and judgment upon the nations who have wronged His people, Israel. It speaks of a time of divine retribution and restoration for Zion.

Joel 3 4 Context

The prophet Joel addresses a future time of judgment against the nations surrounding Israel. Chapter 3 sets the scene for this final judgment, often referred to as the "Day of the Lord." Joel describes the nations' actions of taking God's people, Israel, and selling them into slavery, and how God will hold them accountable for this cruelty and injustice, especially their complicity with foreign powers against Judah. This context of Israel's oppression and the divine promise of retribution is crucial for understanding God's coming judgment.

Joel 3 4 Word Analysis

• "What (Mah - מָה): An interrogative pronoun asking for the meaning or reason behind the actions.
• do (ʿasah - עָשָׂה): "to do," "to make," indicating an action taken.
• you (attem - אַתֶּם): Plural "you," referring to the nations.
• mean (pi – פִי): "mouth," "speech," or "meaning." Here it implies "what do you intend by" or "what is the meaning of."
• by (ba'ad - בַּעַד): "concerning," "on account of."
• this (zeh - זֶה): Refers to the actions described that follow.
• you (attem - אַתֶּם): Plural "you," again referring to the nations.
• are taking (leqaḥ - לָקַח): Present tense, indicating ongoing actions of seizing.
• My (ʾabēth - אֲבֹתֵי): "My Father" or "My Fathers." This highlights a close relationship between God and Israel, implying His ownership and protection.
• sons (bên – בֶּן): "sons," representing the people of Israel.
• and (wa - וְ): A conjunction connecting clauses.
• have sold (mākra – מָכַר): Perfect tense, indicating a completed action of selling.
• them (ʾōṯām - אוֹתָם): Refers back to "My sons."
• Daughters (bat - בַּת): "daughters," representing the people of Israel.
• of (šālēm – שָׁלֵם): In this context, it can signify "offering" or "given."
• Zion (ṣiyyôn - צִיּוֹן): The specific name for Jerusalem and the hill upon which it stood, a symbol of God's presence and His people.
• to (lem – לְ): A preposition indicating direction or purpose.
• the (ḥlq – חֲלָק - Hêlem): This is likely a textual issue or variant reading. It might relate to the Greek word for "Phoenicians" or be a corrupted form.
• Greeks (yāwān – יָוָן): Refers to the Hellenistic peoples, a common antagonist in prophetic literature.
• that (wĕlō - וְלוֹ): A conjunction or preposition indicating relation.
• you (ʾant – אַנְתְּ): Singular "you" or potentially plural, context dependent.
• might (mê‘at – מְעַט): "a little," "a small quantity."
• remove (ḥzq – חָזַק): "to be strong," "to seize firmly." In context, "to remove" or "carry away."
• far (mēdarbêkem – מֵרְחַקְתֶּם): "far from," "removed from."

Words Group Analysis:

• "My sons and daughters": Emphasizes God's parental and possessive relationship with Israel, highlighting His concern and the severity of the transgression against them.
• "have sold them": Points to the slave trade and the exploitation of God's people, an act of deep cruelty and a violation of divine covenant.
• "to the Greeks": Indicates specific nations involved in this oppression, the Hellenistic peoples often mentioned in relation to Judah's post-exilic struggles and broader geopolitical conflicts.
• "remove far": Signifies the diaspora and the scattering of God's people, further alienating them from their land and from God's presence.

Joel 3 4 Bonus Section

This verse directly alludes to historical events and prophetic patterns where nations engaged in the slave trade of Israelites, as seen in accounts in Amos and Obadiah. The reference to "Greeks" in some textual traditions highlights the ongoing geopolitical tensions and divine perspective on interactions between nations and Israel throughout biblical history, even into the Hellenistic period and beyond. The "day" spoken of here is consistently understood as a future, final judgment when God will vindicate His people and punish their enemies, mirroring the cosmic justice described in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation. The sentiment echoes in Jesus' statement identifying Himself with the "least of these," implying that harm to His followers is harm to Him.

Joel 3 4 Commentary

The Lord confronts the nations, asking the rhetorical question, "What are you doing to my people?" This challenge underscores God's intimate knowledge and ownership of Israel. Their actions of selling the Israelites, particularly to the Greeks, signify the commodification and dehumanization of God's chosen people. This exploitation, which caused scattering and separation, would not go unnoticed or unpunished by a sovereign God. It highlights His protective love for Zion and His ultimate justice against those who cause His people harm. This principle of God's judgment against oppressors of His people resonates throughout scripture.