King James Version

What Does Joel 3:19 Mean?

Joel 3:19 in the King James Version says “Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, be... — study this verse from Joel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joel 3:19 · KJV


Context

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

21

For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion. for the: or, even I the LORD that


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness (Mitsrayim li-shmamah tihyeh ve-Edom le-midbar shmamah tihyeh)—Judgment on Israel's historical enemies contrasts with Israel's restoration. Egypt enslaved Israel (Exodus 1-12); Edom refused passage (Numbers 20:14-21) and rejoiced at Jerusalem's fall (Obadiah 10-14, Psalm 137:7).

For the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land (me-chamas benei Yehudah asher shafkhu dam naqi be-artsam)—'Violence' (chamas) and 'innocent blood' (dam naqi) indict Egypt and Edom for atrocities against God's people. Ezekiel 35 pronounces detailed judgment on Edom for bloodguilt. The principle: 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord' (Romans 12:19).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Egypt: After periods of Israelite dominance (Solomon, Josiah), Egypt allied with Babylon against Judah, then was itself conquered by Persia (525 BC). Edom: Nabataeans displaced Edomites (c. 312 BC); by Roman times, Idumea (Edom's remnant) was absorbed into Judea. Both nations ceased to exist as prophesied, while Israel survived exile and persecution.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment on Egypt and Edom demonstrate that He settles accounts with those who harm His people?
  2. What is 'innocent blood,' and why does its shedding invoke divine vengeance?
  3. How should believers respond to enemies—with personal vengeance or trust in God's justice (Romans 12:19)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מִצְרַ֙יִם֙1 of 15

Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שְׁמָמָ֖ה2 of 15

shall be a desolate

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

תִֽהְיֶ֔ה3 of 15
H1961

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

וֶאֱד֕וֹם4 of 15

and Edom

H123

edom, the elder twin-brother of jacob; hence the region (idumaea) occupied by him

לְמִדְבַּ֥ר5 of 15

wilderness

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

שְׁמָמָ֖ה6 of 15

shall be a desolate

H8077

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

תִּֽהְיֶ֑ה7 of 15
H1961

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

מֵֽחֲמַס֙8 of 15

for the violence

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

בְּנֵ֣י9 of 15

against the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוּדָ֔ה10 of 15

of Judah

H3063

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

אֲשֶׁר11 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁפְכ֥וּ12 of 15

because they have shed

H8210

to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc

דָם13 of 15

blood

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

נָקִ֖יא14 of 15

innocent

H5355

innocent

בְּאַרְצָֽם׃15 of 15

in their land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)


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 3:19 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 3:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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