Joel 3:20
But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
Original Language Analysis
וִיהוּדָ֖ה
But Judah
H3063
וִיהוּדָ֖ה
But Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
1 of 6
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
for ever
H5769
לְעוֹלָ֣ם
for ever
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
תֵּשֵׁ֑ב
shall dwell
H3427
תֵּשֵׁ֑ב
shall dwell
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
3 of 6
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
and Jerusalem
H3389
וִירוּשָׁלִַ֖ם
and Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 6
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
Cross References
Ezekiel 37:25And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.Amos 9:15And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.Isaiah 33:20Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.
Historical Context
Earthly Jerusalem was destroyed twice (586 BC, AD 70), refuting purely literalistic readings. The promise finds fulfillment in the eternal kingdom—the church militant now, the church triumphant forever. Paul identifies believers as 'the Israel of God' (Galatians 6:16), inheriting these promises through Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the promise of eternal dwelling apply to the church rather than (or in addition to) geographical Jerusalem?
- What does it mean that 'Judah shall dwell forever'—how does Christ's unending kingdom fulfill this?
- How should eternal security ('forever,' 'generation to generation') shape your daily priorities and long-term vision?
Analysis & Commentary
But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation (vi-Yhudah le-olam teshev vi-Yerushalayim le-dor va-dor)—Contrast with Egypt/Edom's desolation. 'Dwell' (teshev) implies secure habitation, not exile. 'For ever' (le-olam) and 'from generation to generation' (le-dor va-dor) promise perpetuity.
This transcends physical Jerusalem's turbulent history (destructions in 586 BC, AD 70, etc.), pointing to spiritual Israel—the church—as God's eternal dwelling (Galatians 6:16, Hebrews 12:22-24). Jesus is the true temple (John 2:19-21), and believers are living stones in God's house (1 Peter 2:5). The New Jerusalem 'descends from heaven' (Revelation 21:2), the eternal dwelling of God with His redeemed people.