Joel 3:4

Authorized King James Version

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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְ֠גַם
H1571
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
#2
מָה
H4100
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
#3
אַתֶּ֥ם
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#4
לִי֙
H0
#5
צֹ֣ר
H6865
Yea and what have ye to do with me O Tyre
tsor, a place in palestine
#6
וְצִיד֔וֹן
H6721
and Zidon
tsidon, the name of a son of canaan, and of a place in palestine
#7
וְכֹ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
גְּלִיל֣וֹת
H1552
and all the coasts
a circuit or region
#9
פְּלָ֑שֶׁת
H6429
of Palestine
pelesheth, a region of syria
#10
גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם
H1576
me a recompence
treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital
#11
אַתֶּם֙
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#12
מְשַׁלְּמִ֣ים
H7999
will ye render
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
#13
עָלָ֔י
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
וְאִם
H518
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#15
גֹּמְלִ֤ים
H1580
and if ye recompense
to treat a person (well or ill), i.e., benefit or requite; by implication (of toil), to ripen, i.e., (specifically) to wean
#16
אַתֶּם֙
H859
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#17
עָלַ֔י
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
קַ֣ל
H7031
me swiftly
light; (by implication) rapid (also adverbial)
#19
מְהֵרָ֔ה
H4120
and speedily
properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly
#20
אָשִׁ֥יב
H7725
will I return
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
#21
גְּמֻלְכֶ֖ם
H1576
me a recompence
treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital
#22
בְּרֹאשְׁכֶֽם׃
H7218
upon your own head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

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 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 revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection