Joel 3:19

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

מִצְרַ֙יִם֙

H4714

Egypt

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

שְׁמָמָ֖ה

H8077

shall be a desolate

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

תִֽהְיֶ֔ה

H1961

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

וֶאֱד֕וֹם

H123

and Edom

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

לְמִדְבַּ֥ר

H4057

wilderness

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

שְׁמָמָ֖ה

H8077

shall be a desolate

devastation; figuratively, astonishment

תִּֽהְיֶ֑ה

H1961

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

מֵֽחֲמַס֙

H2555

for the violence

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

בְּנֵ֣י

H1121

against the children

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

#10

יְהוּדָ֔ה

H3063

of Judah

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

#11

אֲשֶׁר

H834

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

#12

שָׁפְכ֥וּ

H8210

because they have shed

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

#13

דָם

H1818

blood

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

#14

נָקִ֖יא

H5355

innocent

#15

בְּאַרְצָֽם׃

H776

in their land

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?