Joel 3:7

Authorized King James Version

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Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head:

Original Language Analysis

הִנְנִ֣י H2005
הִנְנִ֣י
Strong's: H2005
Word #: 1 of 11
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
מְעִירָ֔ם Behold I will raise H5782
מְעִירָ֔ם Behold I will raise
Strong's: H5782
Word #: 2 of 11
to wake (literally or figuratively)
מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 3 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַ֨מָּק֔וֹם them out of the place H4725
הַ֨מָּק֔וֹם them out of the place
Strong's: H4725
Word #: 4 of 11
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 5 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם whither ye have sold H4376
מְכַרְתֶּ֥ם whither ye have sold
Strong's: H4376
Word #: 6 of 11
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
אֹתָ֖ם H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָׁ֑מָּה H8033
שָׁ֑מָּה
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 8 of 11
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥י them and will return H7725
וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֥י them and will return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 9 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
גְמֻלְכֶ֖ם your recompence H1576
גְמֻלְכֶ֖ם your recompence
Strong's: H1576
Word #: 10 of 11
treatment, i.e., an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital
בְּרֹאשְׁכֶֽם׃ upon your own head H7218
בְּרֹאשְׁכֶֽם׃ upon your own head
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 11 of 11
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

Analysis & Commentary

Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them—God's reversal begins with hineni (הִנְנִי, "behold, I"), emphasizing His personal, active intervention. The verb me'ir (מֵעִיר, "raise/stir up") from 'ur (עוּר) means to awaken, arouse, or stir into action—the same verb used for God raising up deliverers and stirring people to return from exile (Isaiah 41:2, 25; Ezra 1:1). God promises to reverse the nations' evil work, restoring captives from however far they were scattered. This demonstrates sovereign providence—what humans intend for evil, God turns to His purposes (Genesis 50:20).

And will return your recompence upon your own head (Hebrew vahashivoti gemulkhem beroshekem, וַהֲשִׁבֹתִי גְּמֻלְכֶם בְּרֹאשְׁכֶם)—the verb shuv (שׁוּב) in hiphil form means to cause to return or bring back. Gemul (גְּמוּל) means recompense, dealing, or what one deserves—it can be positive (reward) or negative (retribution). Here it clearly means retribution. The phrase beroshekem (upon your head) indicates that consequences boomerang back on perpetrators. This is the lex talionis principle writ large—measure for measure justice (Exodus 21:23-25; Deuteronomy 19:19-21). As Obadiah 15 declares: "As thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head."

The Reformed doctrine of God's justice affirms that sin contains its own punishment—the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Nations that traffic in human slavery will themselves be enslaved (verse 8). Those who scatter God's people will themselves be scattered. Those who presume to judge will be judged. This principle finds ultimate expression at the final judgment when Christ returns "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel" (2 Thessalonians 1:8). Yet remarkably, for believers, Christ took our recompense upon His own head at Calvary, bearing the judgment we deserved (Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 Peter 2:24).

Historical Context

God's promise to reverse captivity found multiple fulfillments. The Persian conquest of Babylon (539 BC) enabled Jewish return from exile. Later, Greek and Roman conquests overthrew Phoenician and Philistine power—Tyre fell to Alexander (332 BC), Gaza was destroyed, and the Philistines ceased to exist as a distinct people. In AD 70 and 135, Rome scattered Jews worldwide, but in 1948, Israel was reestablished as a nation—a stunning reversal of 1,900 years of dispersion. Yet full restoration awaits Christ's return when "all Israel shall be saved" (Romans 11:26) and the nations face final judgment.

Questions for Reflection