Joel 3:4
Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠גַם
H1571
וְ֠גַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
1 of 22
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
מָה
H4100
מָה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
צֹ֣ר
Yea and what have ye to do with me O Tyre
H6865
צֹ֣ר
Yea and what have ye to do with me O Tyre
Strong's:
H6865
Word #:
5 of 22
tsor, a place in palestine
וְצִיד֔וֹן
and Zidon
H6721
וְצִיד֔וֹן
and Zidon
Strong's:
H6721
Word #:
6 of 22
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
וְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם
me a recompence
H1576
גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם
me a recompence
Strong's:
H1576
Word #:
10 of 22
treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital
מְשַׁלְּמִ֣ים
will ye render
H7999
מְשַׁלְּמִ֣ים
will ye render
Strong's:
H7999
Word #:
12 of 22
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
עָלָ֔י
H5921
עָלָ֔י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
14 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
גֹּמְלִ֤ים
and if ye recompense
H1580
גֹּמְלִ֤ים
and if ye recompense
Strong's:
H1580
Word #:
15 of 22
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
עָלַ֔י
H5921
עָלַ֔י
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מְהֵרָ֔ה
and speedily
H4120
מְהֵרָ֔ה
and speedily
Strong's:
H4120
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
אָשִׁ֥יב
will I return
H7725
אָשִׁ֥יב
will I return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
20 of 22
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
Cross References
Isaiah 34:8For it is the day of the LORD'S vengeance, and the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.Isaiah 59:18According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.Jeremiah 47:4Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, and to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.
Historical Context
Tyre and Sidon were wealthy Phoenician seaports known for trade, craftsmanship, and moral corruption (Ezekiel 26-28). Philistia comprised five city-states along Palestine's coast, long-time enemies of Israel (Judges 13-16, 1 Samuel 4-7, 17). These nations participated in slave trade, selling Israelites to Greeks (Joel 3:6). Tyre's pride led to judgment prophecies (Isaiah 23, Ezekiel 26-28), fulfilled when Alexander the Great destroyed it in 332 BC. Philistia similarly disappeared from history. God keeps His word.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's governance of international affairs comfort believers living under hostile regimes?
- What does it mean that opposing God's people means opposing God Himself?
- How should this shape Christian prayer for nations?
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses Tyre, Sidon (Phoenician cities), and Philistia (Palestinian coast): "Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence?" The rhetorical questions challenge their presumption in attacking His people. "And if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head." God promises rapid, proportional retribution. This establishes the lex talionis principle at the national level—God repays nations according to their deeds. The phrase "your own head" means consequences returning to the perpetrator. Reformed theology affirms God's providence governs international relations—nations rise and fall under His sovereignty (Daniel 2:21, Acts 17:26). Kingdoms that oppose God's purposes face inevitable judgment, regardless of temporary power.