Joel 3:18

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהָיָה֩
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַיּ֨וֹם
H3117
And it shall come to pass in that day
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
#3
הַה֜וּא
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
#4
יִטְּפ֧וּ
H5197
shall drop down
to ooze, i.e., distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops; figuratively, to speak by inspiration
#5
הֶהָרִ֣ים
H2022
that the mountains
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
#6
עָסִ֗יס
H6071
new wine
must or fresh grape-juice (as just trodden out)
#7
וְהַגְּבָעוֹת֙
H1389
and the hills
a hillock
#8
תֵּלַ֣כְנָה
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#9
חָלָ֔ב
H2461
with milk
milk (as the richness of kine)
#10
וְכָל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#11
אֲפִיקֵ֥י
H650
and all the rivers
properly, containing, i.e., a tube; also a bed or valley of a stream; also a strong thing or a hero
#12
יְהוּדָ֖ה
H3063
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#13
יֵ֣לְכוּ
H1980
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
#14
מָ֑יִם
H4325
with waters
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
#15
וּמַעְיָ֗ן
H4599
and a fountain
a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
#16
מִבֵּ֤ית
H1004
of the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#17
יְהוָה֙
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#18
יֵצֵ֔א
H3318
shall come forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#19
וְהִשְׁקָ֖ה
H8248
and shall water
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
#20
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
נַ֥חַל
H5158
the valley
a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)
#22
הַשִּׁטִּֽים׃
H7851
of Shittim
shittim, a place east of the jordan

Analysis

Within the broader context of Joel, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Joel.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joel Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection