King James Version

What Does Joel 3:17 Mean?

Joel 3:17 in the King James Version says “So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there... — study this verse from Joel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. holy: Heb. holiness

Joel 3:17 · KJV


Context

15

The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.

16

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. hope: Heb. place of repair, or, harbour

17

So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more. holy: Heb. holiness

18

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim. flow: Heb. go

19

Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain (viydata'tem ki ani YHWH Eloheikhem shochen be-Tsion har qodshi)—The knowledge of God (da'at) is experiential, not merely intellectual. Israel will know YHWH through His acts of judgment and salvation. God 'dwelling' (shochen) in Zion establishes His real presence—not distant, but enthroned among His people (Psalm 132:13-14).

Then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more (ve-hayeta Yerushalayim qodesh ve-zarim lo ya'avru vah od)—'Holy' (qodesh) means set apart, sacred. 'Strangers' (zarim) are foreigners, often hostile invaders. The promise anticipates eschatological purity (Revelation 21:27: 'there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth'). Isaiah 52:1 and Nahum 1:15 contain parallel promises of a holy, unviolated Jerusalem.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem was repeatedly invaded: by Babylonians (586 BC), Greeks (168 BC), Romans (AD 70, 135). Joel's prophecy awaits ultimate fulfillment in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:2), where God dwells eternally with His people, and no unclean thing enters. The church, as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16), is becoming that holy dwelling.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to 'know' God experientially versus merely knowing about Him?
  2. How does God's promise to dwell in Zion (His people) comfort believers facing hostility or spiritual attack?
  3. In what sense is the church the 'holy' Jerusalem where 'no strangers pass through'—protected from ultimate defilement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֗ם1 of 17

So shall ye know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

כִּ֣י2 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֤י3 of 17
H589

i

יְהוָה֙4 of 17

that I am the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם5 of 17

your God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

שֹׁכֵ֖ן6 of 17

dwelling

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

בְּצִיּ֣וֹן7 of 17

in Zion

H6726

tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem

הַר8 of 17

mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

קֹ֔דֶשׁ9 of 17

be holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְהָיְתָ֤ה10 of 17
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙11 of 17

then shall Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

קֹ֔דֶשׁ12 of 17

be holy

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְזָרִ֥ים13 of 17

and there shall no strangers

H2114

to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery

לֹא14 of 17
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַֽעַבְרוּ15 of 17

pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בָ֖הּ16 of 17
H0
עֽוֹד׃17 of 17
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more


Study Guide

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 3:17 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 3:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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