Joel 3:21
For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.
Original Language Analysis
נִקֵּ֑יתִי
For I will cleanse
H5352
נִקֵּ֑יתִי
For I will cleanse
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
1 of 7
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
דָּמָ֣ם
their blood
H1818
דָּמָ֣ם
their blood
Strong's:
H1818
Word #:
2 of 7
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
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִקֵּ֑יתִי
For I will cleanse
H5352
נִקֵּ֑יתִי
For I will cleanse
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
4 of 7
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
for the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Revelation 21:3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.Isaiah 4:4When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.Ezekiel 36:25Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.Ezekiel 36:29I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.Ezekiel 48:35It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.Joel 3:17So 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.
Historical Context
The dwelling (shochen) recalls the tabernacle (mishkan, same root)—God's mobile dwelling among Israel (Exodus 25:8). After Solomon's temple was destroyed, Ezekiel saw God's glory depart (Ezekiel 10-11) but return to the eschatological temple (Ezekiel 43:1-5). Jesus 'tabernacled' among us (John 1:14), and now the church is God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22). Ultimate fulfillment awaits the eternal Zion.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God 'dwells' with His people—how do you experience His presence?
- How does the promise of cleansing 'blood that I have not cleansed' point to Christ's atoning sacrifice that cleanses all bloodguilt?
- In what sense is Revelation 21:3 ('God himself shall be with them') the ultimate fulfillment of Joel's prophecy?
Analysis & Commentary
For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed (ve-niqqeti damam lo niqqeti)—This difficult phrase likely means 'I will avenge blood I have not yet avenged' (ESV, CSB) or 'I will pardon their bloodguilt' (others). The term niqah means 'to be clean/innocent/free from guilt.' God promises either to judge Israel's oppressors for unpunished bloodshed or to purify Israel from guilt.
For the LORD dwelleth in Zion (va-YHWH shochen be-Tsion)—The book's climax: God's presence is the ultimate promise. This echoes 3:17's opening and Ezekiel's vision, which concludes: 'The name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there' (Ezekiel 48:35). God dwelling with His people is the telos of redemptive history (Revelation 21:3: 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men').