Joel 3:3

Translations

Modern

They cast lots for My people; they bartered a boy for a prostitute and sold a girl for wine to drink.

Traditional

And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

Literal

And for My people they have cast lots, and they have given a boy for a prostitute, and a girl they have sold for wine, that they may drink.

Latin

Et super populum meum miserunt sortem; et posuerunt puerum in prostibulo, et puellam vendiderunt pro vino ut biberent.

Original

Hebrew

English

They cast lots for My people; they bartered a boy for a prostitute and sold a girl for wine to drink.

Notes

Joel 3:2–3

The Lord would gather the armies of the world (literally all the nations) in the valley of Jehoshaphat. This valley is not related to King Jehoshaphat of Judah (1 Kings 22:41). Instead, it means “the valley where the Lord judges.” It is the place where God would decide the fate of the nations (see Joel 3:14).
The sins of the nations included driving God’s covenant people into exile. They also included abusing helpless boys and girls by selling them as slaves (compare Ezekiel 27:13; Revelation 18:13).

Joel 3:1–16

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

Joel 2:28–3:21

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

God’s Justice Holy War

Events

Prophecies of Joelc. 820 BC

Related verses

Nahum 3:10
Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her dignitaries, and all her nobles were bound in chains.
Amos 2:6
This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Israel, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they sell the righteous for silver and the needy for a pair of sandals.
Obadiah 1:11
On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them.
Revelation 18:13
…of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves.
2 Chronicles 28:8–9
Then the Israelites took 200,000 captives from their kinsmen—women, sons, and daughters. They also carried off a great deal of plunder and brought it to Samaria.

Glossary

Book of Joel Valley of Decision Valley of Jehoshaphat

Topics

Drunkenness: General Scriptures Concerning Jerusalem of Pestilence, Famine, and War In Joel: Denounces Judgments Against the Enemies of God Lasciviousness: General Scriptures Concerning The Lot: General Scriptures Concerning Wine: The Jews Frequently Drank, to Excess Wine: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Joel 3:3

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