Joel 3:12

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

יֵע֙וֹרוּ֙ be wakened H5782
יֵע֙וֹרוּ֙ be wakened
Strong's: H5782
Word #: 1 of 14
to wake (literally or figuratively)
וְיַעֲל֣וּ and come up H5927
וְיַעֲל֣וּ and come up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 2 of 14
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם Let the heathen H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם Let the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 3 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 4 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
עֵ֖מֶק to the valley H6010
עֵ֖מֶק to the valley
Strong's: H6010
Word #: 5 of 14
a vale (i.e., broad depression)
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט of Jehoshaphat H3092
יְהֽוֹשָׁפָ֑ט of Jehoshaphat
Strong's: H3092
Word #: 6 of 14
jehoshaphat, the name of six israelites; also of a valley near jerusalem
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 7 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁ֗ם H8033
שָׁ֗ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 8 of 14
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
אֵשֵׁ֛ב for there will I sit H3427
אֵשֵׁ֛ב for there will I sit
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
לִשְׁפֹּ֥ט to judge H8199
לִשְׁפֹּ֥ט to judge
Strong's: H8199
Word #: 10 of 14
to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 11 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם Let the heathen H1471
הַגּוֹיִ֖ם Let the heathen
Strong's: H1471
Word #: 13 of 14
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
מִסָּבִֽיב׃ round about H5439
מִסָּבִֽיב׃ round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 14 of 14
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

Analysis & Commentary

Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat—the verb ye'oru (יֵעֹרוּ, "be awakened") uses the same root ('ur) as verse 9's "wake up." The nations are summoned from spiritual and moral slumber to face judgment. The command "come up" (ya'alu, יַעֲלוּ) to "the valley of Jehoshaphat" (Emeq Yehoshaphat) brings them to God's chosen judgment seat. As noted in verse 2, "Jehoshaphat" means "Yahweh judges"—the name itself proclaims the valley's purpose. Whether this designates a specific geographic location (possibly the Kidron Valley) or functions symbolically matters less than its theological meaning: God has appointed a place and time for universal judgment.

For there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about (Hebrew ki sham eshev lishpot et-kol-hagoyim misaviv, כִּי־שָׁם אֵשֵׁב לִשְׁפֹּט אֶת־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם מִסָּבִיב)—God declares: "there I will sit" (sham eshev). The verb yashav (יָשַׁב, "sit") indicates taking one's seat on a judgment throne. Ancient Near Eastern judges sat to render verdicts (Exodus 18:13; 1 Kings 3:16-28). God sitting to judge combines judicial authority with settled determination—this is not hasty anger but deliberate, righteous judgment. The infinitive lishpot (לִשְׁפֹּט, "to judge") from shaphat (שָׁפַט) means to govern, render verdicts, and execute justice. God judges "all the nations round about" (kol-hagoyim misaviv)—universal, comprehensive judgment with none escaping.

This verse establishes several crucial truths:

  1. God personally judges—He doesn't delegate to subordinates
  2. Judgment is public and formal—God sits on His throne in full view
  3. Judgment is comprehensive—"all the nations" without exception
  4. Judgment is certain—God "will sit," not "might sit." This scene prefigures the Great White Throne judgment (Revelation 20:11-15) when all the dead stand before God to be judged.

The Reformed doctrine of final judgment affirms that every person will give account to God (Romans 14:10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27). For believers, Christ bore our judgment at Calvary; for unbelievers, they will face the full weight of divine wrath. This verse's solemnity should drive both evangelistic urgency and worshipful gratitude.

Historical Context

Judgment scenes appear throughout Scripture: God judging Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8-19), Cain (Genesis 4:9-15), the antediluvian world (Genesis 6-7), Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-19:29), Egypt (Exodus 7-12), and Israel (throughout Judges and Kings). Each temporal judgment foreshadows final judgment. The prophets regularly employed courtroom imagery—God as prosecuting attorney, judge, and executioner (Isaiah 1:2-3, 3:13-15; Jeremiah 2:4-13; Micah 6:1-8). The "Day of the LORD" theme throughout Joel and other prophets consistently points to this climactic judgment when God settles all accounts and vindicates His righteousness.

Questions for Reflection