King James Version

What Does Joel 3:4 Mean?

Joel 3:4 in the King James Version says “Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence?...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;”

Joel 3:4 · KJV

Context

2

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

3

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.

4

Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

5

Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things: pleasant: Heb. desirable

6

The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians , that ye might remove them far from their border. the Grecians: Heb. the sons of the Grecians

Read Joel 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God addresses Tyre, Sidon (Phoenician cities), and Philistia (Palestinian coast): "Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence?" The rhetorical questions challenge their presumption in attacking His people. "And if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head." God promises rapid, proportional retribution. This establishes the lex talionis principle at the national level—God repays nations according to their deeds. The phrase "your own head" means consequences returning to the perpetrator. Reformed theology affirms God's providence governs international relations—nations rise and fall under His sovereignty (Daniel 2:21, Acts 17:26). Kingdoms that oppose God's purposes face inevitable judgment, regardless of temporary power.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Tyre and Sidon were wealthy Phoenician seaports known for trade, craftsmanship, and moral corruption (Ezekiel 26-28). Philistia comprised five city-states along Palestine's coast, long-time enemies of Israel (Judges 13-16, 1 Samuel 4-7, 17). These nations participated in slave trade, selling Israelites to Greeks (Joel 3:6). Tyre's pride led to judgment prophecies (Isaiah 23, Ezekiel 26-28), fulfilled when Alexander the Great destroyed it in 332 BC. Philistia similarly disappeared from history. God keeps His word.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's governance of international affairs comfort believers living under hostile regimes?
  2. What does it mean that opposing God's people means opposing God Himself?
  3. How should this shape Christian prayer for nations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְ֠גַם1 of 22
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מָה2 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אַתֶּ֥ם3 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לִי֙4 of 22
H0
צֹ֣ר5 of 22

“Yea and what have ye to do with me O Tyre”

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

וְצִיד֔וֹן6 of 22

“and Zidon”

H6721

tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine

וְכֹ֖ל7 of 22
H3605

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

גְּלִיל֣וֹת8 of 22

“and all the coasts”

H1552

a circuit or region

פְּלָ֑שֶׁת9 of 22

“of Palestine”

H6429

pelesheth, a region of syria

גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם10 of 22

“me a recompence”

H1576

treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital

אַתֶּם֙11 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

מְשַׁלְּמִ֣ים12 of 22

“will ye render”

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

עָלָ֔י13 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְאִם14 of 22
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

גֹּמְלִ֤ים15 of 22

“and if ye recompense”

H1580

to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean

אַתֶּם֙16 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עָלַ֔י17 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

קַ֣ל18 of 22

“me swiftly”

H7031

light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)

מְהֵרָ֔ה19 of 22

“and speedily”

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

אָשִׁ֥יב20 of 22

“will I return”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם21 of 22

“me a recompence”

H1576

treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital

בְּרֹאשְׁכֶֽם׃22 of 22

“upon your own head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

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 3:4 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 3:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 1:6-10Jeremiah 47:4Isaiah 34:8Isaiah 59:18Isaiah 23:1-2Ezekiel 25:12-17

Places in This Verse

PhilistiaRegion · Modern: Tel Ashkelon · 31.66°N, 34.55°E22 verses across 14 books
SidonSettlement · Modern: Sandikli archaeological site in Sidon · 33.56°N, 35.37°E37 verses across 16 books
TyreSettlement · Modern: Tyre · 33.27°N, 35.20°E64 verses across 19 books
View all places in Joel 3 →

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