The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians—this verse specifies the human trafficking charge from verse 3. The Hebrew bene Yehudah uvene Yerushalayim (בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה וּבְנֵי יְרוּשָׁלָ ִם) emphasizes covenant identity—these aren't merely random slaves but God's covenant children from His chosen city. The verb makar (מָכַר, "sold") indicates commercial transaction, treating human beings as merchandise. "Unto the Grecians" (Hebrew livne haYevanim, לִבְנֵי הַיְוָנִים, literally "sons of Javan") refers to Ionian Greeks, distant peoples representing the far reaches of the known world.
That ye might remove them far from their border (Hebrew lema'an harchiqam me'al gevulam, לְמַעַן הַרְחִיקָם מֵעַל גְּבוּלָם)—the purpose clause reveals calculated cruelty. Selling captives locally kept hope of return or ransom alive; selling them to distant lands like Greece severed all connection to homeland, family, and covenant community. This attempted to obliterate their identity as God's people, removing them from the promised land God gave them. Yet human schemes cannot thwart divine purposes—God promises in verse 7 to reverse this dispersion and bring retribution.
The mention of Greeks is chronologically significant. Greek (Ionian) trading colonies existed along Mediterranean coasts from the 8th century BC onward, but they became prominent slave traders particularly during the 6th-4th centuries BC. This reference has led some scholars to date Joel post-exilic. However, early Greek-Phoenician trade contacts are well-documented, so this doesn't definitively settle dating questions. What matters theologically is God's comprehensive knowledge—He knows where His scattered people are, even in distant lands, and will restore them. This anticipates the worldwide dispersion and eventual regathering of Israel, and spiritually, the gathering of the elect from every nation into Christ's kingdom (Matthew 24:31; John 11:52).
Historical Context
The Phoenicians (Tyre and Sidon) were ancient world's foremost maritime traders, establishing colonies throughout the Mediterranean including Carthage. They traded extensively with Greek city-states, and slave trade was a major component of ancient commerce. The Philistines, controlling Gaza and other ports, similarly participated in this trade. Amos 1:6-9 condemns both Philistia and Tyre for the same offense: "they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver them up to Edom... they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant." The coordination between these peoples in human trafficking provoked God's united condemnation.
Questions for Reflection
How does God's specific knowledge of His people's location—even sold to distant lands—demonstrate His omniscience and covenant faithfulness?
What does the calculated cruelty of removing people "far from their border" reveal about the depths of human sin when restraining grace is removed?
How does this ancient human trafficking foreshadow modern slavery and exploitation, and what does God's promised judgment say to perpetrators today?
Analysis & Commentary
The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians—this verse specifies the human trafficking charge from verse 3. The Hebrew bene Yehudah uvene Yerushalayim (בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה וּבְנֵי יְרוּשָׁלָ ִם) emphasizes covenant identity—these aren't merely random slaves but God's covenant children from His chosen city. The verb makar (מָכַר, "sold") indicates commercial transaction, treating human beings as merchandise. "Unto the Grecians" (Hebrew livne haYevanim, לִבְנֵי הַיְוָנִים, literally "sons of Javan") refers to Ionian Greeks, distant peoples representing the far reaches of the known world.
That ye might remove them far from their border (Hebrew lema'an harchiqam me'al gevulam, לְמַעַן הַרְחִיקָם מֵעַל גְּבוּלָם)—the purpose clause reveals calculated cruelty. Selling captives locally kept hope of return or ransom alive; selling them to distant lands like Greece severed all connection to homeland, family, and covenant community. This attempted to obliterate their identity as God's people, removing them from the promised land God gave them. Yet human schemes cannot thwart divine purposes—God promises in verse 7 to reverse this dispersion and bring retribution.
The mention of Greeks is chronologically significant. Greek (Ionian) trading colonies existed along Mediterranean coasts from the 8th century BC onward, but they became prominent slave traders particularly during the 6th-4th centuries BC. This reference has led some scholars to date Joel post-exilic. However, early Greek-Phoenician trade contacts are well-documented, so this doesn't definitively settle dating questions. What matters theologically is God's comprehensive knowledge—He knows where His scattered people are, even in distant lands, and will restore them. This anticipates the worldwide dispersion and eventual regathering of Israel, and spiritually, the gathering of the elect from every nation into Christ's kingdom (Matthew 24:31; John 11:52).