Joel 3:17

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וִֽידַעְתֶּ֗ם So shall ye know H3045
וִֽידַעְתֶּ֗ם So shall ye know
Strong's: H3045
Word #: 1 of 17
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 2 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֲנִ֤י H589
אֲנִ֤י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 3 of 17
i
יְהוָה֙ that I am the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ that I am the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם your God H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם your God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 17
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
שֹׁכֵ֖ן dwelling H7931
שֹׁכֵ֖ן dwelling
Strong's: H7931
Word #: 6 of 17
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
בְּצִיּ֣וֹן in Zion H6726
בְּצִיּ֣וֹן in Zion
Strong's: H6726
Word #: 7 of 17
tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of jerusalem
הַר mountain H2022
הַר mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 8 of 17
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
קֹ֔דֶשׁ be holy H6944
קֹ֔דֶשׁ be holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 9 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְהָיְתָ֤ה H1961
וְהָיְתָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 10 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ then shall Jerusalem H3389
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ then shall Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 11 of 17
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
קֹ֔דֶשׁ be holy H6944
קֹ֔דֶשׁ be holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 12 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְזָרִ֥ים and there shall no strangers H2114
וְזָרִ֥ים and there shall no strangers
Strong's: H2114
Word #: 13 of 17
to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 14 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽעַבְרוּ pass through H5674
יַֽעַבְרוּ pass through
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 15 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
בָ֖הּ H0
בָ֖הּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 16 of 17
עֽוֹד׃ H5750
עֽוֹד׃
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

Analysis & 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.

Historical 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.

Questions for Reflection