King James Version

What Does Joel 3:18 Mean?

Joel 3:18 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, ...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Joel 3:18 · KJV

Context

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.

20

But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. dwell: or, abide

Read Joel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine (ve-hayah va-yom ha-hu yitfefu he-harim asis)—'Drop down' (yitfefu) suggests abundant flow, as if mountains themselves produce wine. 'New wine' (asis) is fresh grape juice, symbolizing blessing. This reverses the drought of Joel 1:10.

And the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters (ve-ha-geva'ot telakhnah chalav ve-chol afiqei Yehudah yelechu mayim)—This is the classic prophetic image of abundance (Exodus 3:8, Amos 9:13). Milk represents pastoral prosperity, water represents the reversal of drought. And a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim (u'ma'yan mibeit YHWH yetse ve-hishqah et-nachal ha-Shittim)—This anticipates Ezekiel 47:1-12's temple river and Revelation 22:1-2's river of life. Shittim (Acacia Valley) was notoriously dry (Numbers 25:1), making this miracle especially dramatic.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Shittim (Abel-Shittim) in the Jordan Valley was Israel's last camp before entering Canaan (Numbers 25:1, Joshua 2:1). It was associated with Baal-Peor's idolatry (Numbers 25). The promise to 'water Shittim' symbolizes redeeming even places of past disgrace. Zechariah 14:8 contains a similar promise of living waters flowing from Jerusalem.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do these abundance images (wine, milk, water) reverse the specific judgments described in Joel 1?
  2. What does the 'fountain from the house of the LORD' teach about worship as the source of spiritual life and blessing?
  3. How is Jesus the ultimate fulfillment of this fountain (John 4:14, 7:37-39), and how does the church experience this water?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיָה֩1 of 22
H1961

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

בַיּ֨וֹם2 of 22

“And it shall come to pass in that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֜וּא3 of 22
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִטְּפ֧וּ4 of 22

“shall drop down”

H5197

to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration

הֶהָרִ֣ים5 of 22

“that the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

עָסִ֗יס6 of 22

“new wine”

H6071

must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out)

וְהַגְּבָעוֹת֙7 of 22

“and the hills”

H1389

a hillock

תֵּלַ֣כְנָה8 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

חָלָ֔ב9 of 22

“with milk”

H2461

milk (as the richness of kine)

וְכָל10 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲפִיקֵ֥י11 of 22

“and all the rivers”

H650

properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero

יְהוּדָ֖ה12 of 22

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

יֵ֣לְכוּ13 of 22
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

מָ֑יִם14 of 22

“with waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

וּמַעְיָ֗ן15 of 22

“and a fountain”

H4599

a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)

מִבֵּ֤ית16 of 22

“of the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָה֙17 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

יֵצֵ֔א18 of 22

“shall come forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

וְהִשְׁקָ֖ה19 of 22

“and shall water”

H8248

to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to

אֶת20 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נַ֥חַל21 of 22

“the valley”

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

הַשִּׁטִּֽים׃22 of 22

“of Shittim”

H7851

shittim, a place east of the jordan

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 3:18 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 3:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 22:1-2Isaiah 35:6Zechariah 14:8Ezekiel 47:1-12Amos 9:13-14Isaiah 30:25

Places in This Verse

Valley of ShittimRiver · Modern: Wadi en Nar · 31.67°N, 35.45°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Joel 3 →

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