Joel 3 5

Joel 3:5 kjv

Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things:

Joel 3:5 nkjv

Because you have taken My silver and My gold, And have carried into your temples My prized possessions.

Joel 3:5 niv

For you took my silver and my gold and carried off my finest treasures to your temples.

Joel 3:5 esv

For you have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried my rich treasures into your temples.

Joel 3:5 nlt

You have taken my silver and gold and all my precious treasures, and have carried them off to your pagan temples.

Joel 3 verses

Joel 3 5 Meaning

Joel 3:5 prophesies a future state for God's people centered on Jerusalem, where His abiding presence guarantees recognition of His supreme authority, enduring sanctity for the city, and inviolable security from all outside threats. It declares that through God's decisive actions, His people will experientially "know" Him as the faithful, covenant Lord who dwells eternally in Zion, transforming Jerusalem into a place of ultimate holiness and perpetual peace, forever protected from hostile, defiling invaders.

Joel 3 5 Context

Joel chapter 3 primarily focuses on the Day of the Lord's judgment upon the nations for their past mistreatment of Judah and Jerusalem, including scattering God's people and plundering His inheritance. This judgment precedes a period of unparalleled blessing and restoration for Judah. After describing divine retribution in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the prophet pivots to the glorious future of Judah and Jerusalem. Verse 5 is the climax of these promises, explicitly stating the divine rationale and outcomes for God's people following this judgment. It affirms God's unique identity as the covenant God who actively intervenes to establish His ultimate sovereignty, ensuring the permanent security and sanctity of His dwelling place and people. This verse promises an ideal, restored Jerusalem after the Day of the Lord's judgments have purified the land and vindicated God's people.

Joel 3 5 Word analysis

• Then you will know (כִּי יְדַעְתֶּם – kî yedaʿtem): Implies an experiential, verifiable understanding that comes as a direct consequence of God's preceding and promised actions. It is not mere intellectual assent but a profound recognition, perhaps even acknowledgement of His absolute sovereignty and unique power in establishing Judah's vindication. This "knowing" often carries covenantal connotations, reflecting a deep relationship and adherence (e.g., Jer 24:7, Hos 2:20).

• that I am the Lord your God (כִּי אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם – kî ʾănî YHWH ʾělōhêḵem):

  • I am the Lord (YHWH): Refers to God's personal, covenantal name, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature (Ex 3:14) and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. This divine declaration (an "I AM" statement) asserts His unique identity, distinguishing Him from all false gods (polemical).
  • your God: The possessive "your" signifies a special, exclusive relationship with Israel, rooted in the covenant (Ex 19:5-6). It highlights God's particular commitment to defend, bless, and relate to them as His chosen people.

• who dwells (שֹׁכֵן – šōkhēn): The verb implies a continuous, abiding, and permanent presence. It denotes tabernacling or settling, signifying God's decision to reside amongst His people, rather than a transient visit. This presence is the source of blessing and security.

• in Zion, my holy mountain (בְּצִיּוֹן הַר קָדְשִׁי – bĕṣîyôn har qāḏšî):

  • Zion: Originally a stronghold in Jerusalem, it became synonymous with Jerusalem itself and, more broadly, with God's spiritual dwelling place and kingdom. It is God's chosen earthly seat (Ps 132:13-14).
  • my holy mountain: "Holy" (qāḏēš) means set apart, consecrated, or sacred for divine use. God’s ownership of the mountain makes it uniquely sacred, a place distinct from the profane, signifying its purity and inviolability under His protection.

• and Jerusalem will be holy (וְהָיְתָה יְרוּשָׁלַם קֹדֶשׁ – wĕhāyəṯāh yĕrūšālaim qōḏeš): A direct consequence of God's dwelling within it. Its previous defilement (e.g., Lam 1:8-9) is completely reversed. This holiness signifies absolute purity, inviolability, and consecration exclusively for God, reflecting His character and presence within it. Nothing impure or common can remain or enter.

• and foreigners will never again invade her (וְזָרִים לֹא יַעַבְרוּ בָהּ עוֹד – wĕzārîm lōʾ yaʿăḇrū vāh ʿôḏ):

  • foreigners: (zārîm) Not merely non-Israelites, but often denotes those who are alien, unholy, ritually impure, or hostile invaders (e.g., Isa 52:1). These are entities that threaten purity or security.
  • will never again invade her: Literally, "will not pass through her anymore." This is a definitive promise of permanent peace, security, and freedom from any hostile, defiling, or oppressive incursions. God's holiness applied to Jerusalem implies impenetrable protection.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain": This phrase encapsulates God's ultimate self-revelation. His decisive acts in judgment and restoration will lead His people to an undeniable, experiential knowledge of His covenant fidelity and His permanent, sanctifying presence among them from His holy seat in Zion.
  • "Jerusalem will be holy, and foreigners will never again invade her": This forms the grand consequence of God's active presence and self-revelation. The city's intrinsic sanctity and absolute security are directly derived from His dwelling within it. This foresees a perfect future where physical purity reflects spiritual holiness, utterly free from external threats and defilement.

Joel 3 5 Bonus section

• This prophecy stands as a stark contrast to Israel's past, which was often marked by invasion, defilement of Jerusalem, and periods where God's presence seemed to depart (e.g., Eze 10-11). It offers a definitive and permanent reversal of such misfortunes.
• The eschatological nature of this verse is paramount; while glimpses of this restoration might have occurred in post-exilic periods, its complete fulfillment points beyond historical events to a spiritual reality ultimately embodied in Christ and the New Creation.
• The assurance "I am the Lord your God" serves as a foundational declaration that binds God to His covenant promises, assuring His people that their future security and holiness are not dependent on their own strength, but solely on His unchangeable character and powerful actions.

Joel 3 5 Commentary

Joel 3:5 presents a culminating promise for God's people after the dramatic events of the "Day of the Lord." It fundamentally pivots on the enduring, active presence of God. The phrase "Then you will know that I am the Lord your God" signifies not intellectual knowledge, but an experiential recognition born from witnessing God's powerful intervention on their behalf. This recognition confirms His unique identity as "YHWH," the faithful, covenant-keeping God, distinct from all pagan deities. His dwelling "in Zion, my holy mountain," underscores His commitment to Jerusalem as His chosen dwelling place and the seat of His ultimate rule.

The promise that "Jerusalem will be holy" points to a profound transformation, elevating the city to a state of complete consecration and purity, directly emanating from God's presence. This divine holiness ensures an absolute security: "foreigners will never again invade her." This goes beyond merely military protection; "foreigners" also carries the connotation of the ritually impure or ungodly. Thus, the prophecy envisions an end to both hostile invasions and spiritual defilement. This ideal state, rooted in God's perfect sovereignty and protective presence, finds its ultimate and full realization in the New Jerusalem of Revelation 21, where God truly tabernacles among His people, and "nothing impure will ever enter it."