Joel 3:1

The Lord Plans to Judge the Nations

3:1 (4:1) For look! In those days and at that time

I will return the exiles to Judah and Jerusalem.

Joel 3:20

3:20 But Judah will reside securely forever,

and Jerusalem will be secure from one generation to the next.


sn Joel 3:1 in the English Bible is 4:1 in the Hebrew text (BHS). See also the note at 2:28.

tc The MT and LXX read “in those days,” while MurXII reads “in that day.”

tc The Kethib reads אָשִׁיב (’ashiv, “return the captivity [captives]), while the Qere is אָשׁוּב (’ashuv, “restore the fortunes”). Many modern English versions follow the Qere reading. Either reading seems to fit the context. Joel refers to an exile of the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem in 3:2-6 and their return from exile in 3:7. On the other hand, 2:25-26 describes the reversal of judgment and restoration of the covenant blessings. However, the former seems to be the concern of the immediate context.

map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

tn The phrase “will be secure” does not appear in the Hebrew, but are supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.