King James Version
What Does Joel 3:10 Mean?
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. pruninghooks: or, scythes”
Context
8
And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
9
Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Prepare: Heb. Sanctify
10
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. pruninghooks: or, scythes
11
Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD. cause: or, the LORD shall bring down
12
Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(10) **Beat your plowshares** . . .—When the contest was over, and the victory of the Lord achieved, Micah foresaw the reversal of this order: the weapons of offence were once more to resume their peaceful character. “They “—*i.e.*, the nations—“shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Micah 4:3).
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Joel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Joel 3:10 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Joel 3:10
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge