Joel 3:16

The LORD Judges the Nations · Joel 3:1–16
Read Joel 3

Translations

Modern
The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And YHWH will roar from Zion, and from Jerusalem He will give forth His voice, and the heavens and the earth will quake, and YHWH will be a refuge for His people and a stronghold for the sons of Israel.
Latin
Et Dominus de Sion rugiet, et de Jerusalem dabit vocem suam, et movebuntur cæli et terra; et Dominus spes populi sui, et fortitudo filiorum Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Notes

The Lord’s voice would sound like the roar of a lion. It would come from Zion and shake heaven and earth. This roar would terrify those who oppose God (see Amos 1:2). Yet the same Lord, strong like a lion, would also be a place of safety for his people.

Here, Joel spoke about God’s coming judgment on the nations, especially those that had oppressed God’s people.

In the distant future, God will restore his people's spiritual lives. He will give his Spirit to all who respond to him with faith. He will judge the peoples and nations that refuse to recognize his authority.

Theme notes and profiles

Holy War The Day of the Lord Zion

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Jerusalem: The capital of Israel, a holy city for three religions

Glossary

Book of Joel Day of the Lord Fort, Fortification Last Judgment

Topics

Faith: Enjoined God: Grace of God: Power of God: Saviour Hope: General Scriptures Concerning Joel: Denounces Judgments Against the Enemies of God