Joel 3:18
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Joel 3:18
18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Chapter Context
Joel 3 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of covenant, worship, righteousness. Written during possibly post-exilic period (uncertain date), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Addressed a community devastated by natural disaster as a sign of divine judgment.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-21: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Joel and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Joel 3:18
18 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Analysis
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine (ve-hayah va-yom ha-hu yitfefu he-harim asis)—'Drop down' (yitfefu) suggests abundant flow, as if mountains themselves produce wine. 'New wine' (asis) is fresh grape juice, symbolizing blessing. This reverses the drought of Joel 1:10.
And the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters (ve-ha-geva'ot telakhnah chalav ve-chol afiqei Yehudah yelechu mayim)—This is the classic prophetic image of abundance (Exodus 3:8, Amos 9:13). Milk represents pastoral prosperity, water represents the reversal of drought. And a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim (u'ma'yan mibeit YHWH yetse ve-hishqah et-nachal ha-Shittim)—This anticipates Ezekiel 47:1-12's temple river and Revelation 22:1-2's river of life. Shittim (Acacia Valley) was notoriously dry (Numbers 25:1), making this miracle especially dramatic.
Historical Context
Shittim (Abel-Shittim) in the Jordan Valley was Israel's last camp before entering Canaan (Numbers 25:1, Joshua 2:1). It was associated with Baal-Peor's idolatry (Numbers 25). The promise to 'water Shittim' symbolizes redeeming even places of past disgrace. Zechariah 14:8 contains a similar promise of living waters flowing from Jerusalem.
Reflection
- How do these abundance images (wine, milk, water) reverse the specific judgments described in Joel 1?
- What does the 'fountain from the house of the LORD' teach about worship as the source of spiritual life and blessing?
- How is Jesus the ultimate fulfillment of this fountain (John 4:14, 7:37-39), and how does the church experience this water?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Numbers 25:1, Psalms 46:4, Isaiah 30:25, 35:6, Zechariah 14:8