Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joel 3:17
So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
17. In consequence of this deliverance Israel will know that Jehovah is its God, dwelling in its midst, and ready to succour it; Jerusalem also will no more be defiled by the presence in it of strangers.
And ye shall know that I am Jehovah your God ] Cf. Eze 38:23; Eze 39:6-7; Eze 39:22; Eze 39:28: and comp. on Joe 2:27.
dwelling in Zion ] Isa 8:18, &c.: synonymous with ‘in the midst of Israel,’ Joe 2:27.
and Jerusalem shall be holy, &c.] Cf. Nah 1:15; Isa 52:1 b. Israel’s foes being annihilated, there will no more be any heathen to force their way into the holy city, and defile it.
strangers ] members of an alien race, who have no share in Israel or its privileges, and who do not care for them. The word has often this sense, as Hos 7:6; Jer 30:8; Eze 7:21; Eze 11:9.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
God Himself wondrously joins on His own words to those of the prophet, and speaks to His own people; so (literally, and) ye shall know, by experience, by sight, face to face, what ye now believe, that I am the Lord your God, dwelling in Zion, My holy mountain. So He saith in the second Psalm, Then shall he speak unto them Psa 2:5-6 (the enemies of His Christ) in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure; And I have set My king on My holy hill of Zion; and, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, their God Rev 21:3, dwelling with them and in them, by an unvarying, blissful, hallowing presence, never withdrawn, never hidden, never shadowed, but ever shining upon them. Your God, your own, as much as if possessed by none besides, filling all with gladness, yet fully possessed by each, as though there were none besides, so that each may say, Thou art my Portion, O Lord Psa 119:57; Lam 3:24; my Lord, and my God Joh 20:28, as He saith, I am thy exceeding great Reward Gen 15:1.
And Jerusalem shall be holy – Literally, holiness as John saith, He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God Rev 21:10-11.
And there shall no stranger pass through her anymore – Without, says John, are dogs and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie Rev 22:15. None alien from her shall pass through her, so as to have dominion over her, defile or oppress her.
This special promise is often repeated. It shall be called the way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass over it Isa 35:8. Henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean Isa 52:1. The wicked shall no more pass through thee Nah 1:15. In that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts . And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth Rev 21:27. These promises are, in their degree and in the image and beginning, made good to the Church here, to be fully fulfilled when it shall be a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish Eph 5:27. Here they do not pass through her, so as to overcome; the gates of hell shall not prevail against her. However near, as hypocrites, they come to her, they feel in themselves that they are not of her 1Jo 2:19. There they shall be severed from her forever. : Heretics came, armed with fantastic reasons and deceitful arguments; but they could not pass through her, repelled by the truth of the word, overcome by reason, cast down by the testimonies of Scripture and by the glow of faith. They fell backward to the ground before her. They go out from her, because they are not of her 1Jo 2:19. They who are not of her can mingle with her, touch her sacraments, but their power and virtue they partake not. They are inwardly repelled.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 17. So shall ye know ] By the judgments I execute on your enemies, and the support I give to yourselves, that I am the all-conquering Jehovah; and that I have again taken up my residence in Jerusalem. All this may refer, ultimately, to the restoration of the Jews to their own land; when holiness to the Lord shall be their motto; and no strange god, nor impure people, shall be permitted to enter the city, or even pass through it; they shall have neither civil nor religious connections with any who do not worship the true God in spirit and in truth. This, I think, must refer to Gospel times. It is a promise not yet fulfilled.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
So, by these effects of my presence with my people, by my anger against their enemies, by punishing them by each other, overthrowing oppressors, by fulfilling what is foretold, shall ye, ye that suffer for my sake, but hope in my word, and support yourselves on my strength,
know, by most comfortable and unquestionable experience,
that I am the Lord your God; that I have remembered my covenant for you, and acted according to the power and mercy of an almighty and all-gracious God.
Dwelling in Zion; very graciously present with you, and ever watching over you, and delighting to save you, as a man would do his dwellinghouse.
My holy mountain; which is chosen and separated from all others to be the place of his habitation, as Psa 2:6, which he loves above all places.
Then, after these things are finished, when enemies are destroyed, and the remnant is saved, and the Messiah is come, (for to him and his days do these things finally and ultimately refer,) and the gospel is preached,
shall Jerusalem, the church of Christ, the spiritual Jerusalem,
be holy; be much more holy and pure than now, being made so by the word and Spirit, and afflictions too.
There shall no strangers pass through her any more; no profane and unclean persons shall pass through it as formerly, and bring their strange fashions, rites, worship, or doctrine; though they have done it formerly, as in Solomons days, and Ahazs and Manassehs time, they shall do so no more for ever.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. shall ye knowexperimentallyby the proofs of favors which I shall vouchsafe to you. So “know”(Isa 60:16; Hos 2:20).
dwelling in Zionaspeculiarly your God.
holy . . . no strangers passthroughto attack, or to defile, the holy city (Isa 35:8;Isa 52:1; Zec 14:21).Strangers, or Gentiles, shall come to Jerusalem, but it shallbe in order to worship Jehovah there (Zec14:16).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So shall ye know that I [am] the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain,…. The church of God, which is his dwelling place; and will appear more manifestly to be so at this time, when Christ the Lamb will stand on Mount Zion, with an 144,000, having his Father’s name in their foreheads, Re 14:1; and which presence of the Lord will be clearly discerned by his people; by the destruction of their enemies, and by his protection of them; by his being their hope and strength, their refuge and their fortress; they will experimentally know his divine inhabitation among them:
then shall Jerusalem be holy; or “holiness” s; not Jerusalem, literally taken, as Kimchi; though, it being now rebuilt, will be inhabited by holy persons, the converted Jews, and so all manner of holiness practised in it; but rather the whole church of God everywhere, consisting of holy persons, made so through the holiness of Christ imputed to them, and the sanctifying grace of his Spirit wrought in them; not that they will be perfectly holy in themselves, as the saints will in the New Jerusalem state, Re 21:2; but they will be greatly so; holiness will be predominant and universal among men; there will be more real saints, and fewer hypocrites will be in the churches; see Isa 4:3;
and there shall no strangers pass through her any more; to hurt and annoy the church of God; for there shall be none in these times to molest, disturb, and hurt, in all the holy mountain of the Lord,
Isa 11:9; or to pollute her with false doctrine, superstitious worship, or morality; or her communion shall not be interrupted and made uncomfortable, or she be pestered with hypocrites and ungodly persons, strangers to God and godliness, to Christ, his Spirit, and the power of religion; see Isa 52:1.
s “sanctitas”, Munster, Mercerus, Vatablus, Piscator, Tarnovius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Full Kingdom Blessings
Verses 17-21:
Verse 17 asserts that then all Israel will know or recognize that He is the Jehovah (Messiah) their Elohim (trinitarian) God residing in Zion, as asserted Isa 60:16; Hos 2:20. The unclean unholy, or heathen Gentile shall not pass through it, to defile it, Isa 35:8; Isa 52:1; Zec 14:16; Zec 14:21. Out of Jerusalem and Zion Jehovah will: 1) destroy His enemies, 2) protect His people, and 3) purify His sanctuary.
Verse 18 describes blessings on Israel in the days, as follows:
1) Mountains will produce abundance of new wine.
2) The hills shall flow with milk from livestock.
3) All the rivers will flow with fresh water.
4) A fountain shall well up out of the house of the Lord, Psa 46:4; Eze 47:1; Rev 22:1-2.
5) They shall water the valley of Shittim, of Acacia trees. Literally, material blessings, Divinely given, shall cover all the land of Israel with fertility, happy times and prosperity. Even the arid desert will bloom with blessings from Jerusalem, Zec 14:8.
Verse 19 contrasts heathen, Gentile countries of Egypt and Edom, who had oppressed God’s people, with violence and bloodshed as experiencing a parallel time of desolation. Edom had repeatedly done evil to Judah and Israel and is to suffer for it yet, 2Ch 21:8-10; Isa 19:1; Jer 49:17; Oba 1:10; Isa 63:1.
Verse 20 pledges that Judah who gave the Messiah (Gen 49:10; Mic 5:2; Mat 2:4-6) shall dwell, continually reside forever, shall never be destroyed or again dispersed from her heritage, Amo 9:15.
Verse 21 concludes with a vindication for Judah who has turned again to Him, in harmony with His direction, 2Ch 7:14; 1Jn 1:9. Jehovah promises that He will “wipe away,” cleanse, or purge all of Judah’s former blood guiltiness, that had been unpurged before, Isa 1:15; Jesus saves from guilt, in order to save from punishment, and restore His people to full favor and fellowship with God, Mat 1:21; Tit 2:14; Luk 1:32-33.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
This is a confirmation of the preceding doctrine, ye shall know, he says, that I am your God. The Prophet intimates that the favor of God had been so hidden during the afflictions of the people, that they could not but think that they were forsaken by God. His word ought indeed to be sufficient for us in the greatest evils; for though God may cast us into the deepest gulfs, yet when he shines upon us by his word, it ought to be a consolation abundantly available to sustain our souls. But yet, unless God really appears, we are confounded, and ask where is his power. For this reason the Prophet now says, that the faithful shall at length know, that is, really know him as their God.
There is a twofold knowledge, — the knowledge of faith, received from his word, — and the knowledge of experience, as we say, derived from actual enjoyment. The faithful ever acknowledge that salvation is laid up for them in God; but sometimes they stagger and suffer grievous torments in their minds, and are tossed here and there. However it may be with them, they certainly do not by actual enjoyment know God to be their Father. The Prophet therefore now treats of real knowledge, when he says, that they shall know that they have a God, — how are they to know this? By experience. Now this passage teaches us, that though God should not put forth his hand manifestly to help us, we ought yet to entertain good hope of his favor; for the Prophet spoke for this end, — that the godly might, before the event or the accomplishment of the prophecy should come, look to God and cast on him all their cares. Then the faithful, before they had real knowledge, knew God to be their Father, and hence hesitated not to flee to him though what the Prophet testified had not yet been visibly accomplished.
Dwelling in Zion, the mountain of my holiness: This has been designedly added, that the faithful might know, that God made not a covenant in vain with Abraham, that mount Zion had not in vain been chosen, that they might there call on God; for we must have our attention called to the promises, otherwise all doctrine will become frigid. Now we know that all the promises have been founded on a covenant, that is, because God had adopted the people, and afterwards deposited his covenant in the hand of David, and then he designated mount Zion as his sanctuary. Since, then, all the promises flow from this fountain, it was necessary to call the attention of the Jews to the covenant: and this is the reason why the Prophet says now that God dwells in Zion; for otherwise this doctrine would no doubt only lead to superstition. God, indeed, we know, cannot be included within the circumference of any place, much less could he be confined to the narrow limits of the temple; but he dwelt on mount Zion on account of his own law, because he made a covenant with Abraham, and afterwards with David.
It then follows, And Jerusalem shall be holy, and aliens shall not pass through it any more. While he declares that Jerusalem shall be holy, he exempts it at the same time from profanation. We know that it is a common mode of speaking in Scripture, and what often occurs, that God’s heritage is holy, and also, that they profaned it. Hence, when the people were exposed as a prey to the pleasure of their enemies, the heritage of God became forsaken and polluted, profane men trod Jerusalem as it were under foot. But now the Prophet exempts the holy city from this pollution, as though he said, “The Lord will not allow his people to be thus miserably harassed, and will show that this city has been chosen by him, and that he has in it his dwelling. Aliens then shall no more pass through it — Why? For it is first the holy city of God, and then, of his Church.
But as this promise extends to the whole kingdom of Christ, God doubtless makes here a general promise, that he will be the protector of his Church, that it may not be subject to the will of enemies; and yet we see that it often happens otherwise. But this ought to be imputed to our sins, for we make the breaches. God would, indeed be a wall and a rampart to us, as it is said elsewhere, (Isa 26:1😉 but we betray his Church by our sins. Hence aliens occupy a place in it: Ye we see at this day; for Antichrist, as it has been foretold, has now for ages exercised dominion in God’s sanctuary. Since it is so, we ought to mourn at seeing God’s holy Church profaned. Let us yet know, that God will take care to gather his elect, and to cleanse them from every pollution and defilement. It follows —
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Joe. 3:15-17.] Dreadful commotions will happen before that day. Out of Zion Jehovah will destroy his enemies, protect his people, and purify his sanctuary.
HOMILETICS
THE UNPROFANED CITY.Joe. 3:17
The scenes which now follow lie beyond the bounds of time. To the trembling universe and the terrors of judgment there succeeds a kingdom which cannot be moved. God will dwell with his people. Zion will become a holy mount, a sanctuary no more profaned by alien and unrighteous feet. As a description of heaven, the text sets forth:
I. Its distinguished glory. I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion.
1. It is the residence of God. God dwelt with man in Eden; but sin drove man from Gods presence. The tabernacle and the temple were the house of God; but the symbols of the one and the glory of the other have departed. These were only figures of the true residence. Heaven is the palace of the great King, the pavilion of his splendour, and the place where his honour dwelleth. The Elysian fields of Paganism, and the Paradise of Mohammedanism, were cold and revolting; but glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God.
2. It is the permanent residence of God. God dwelling in Zion. Permanency adds bliss to bliss, says the poet. Fellowship with God on earth is short, and often interrupted. In heaven he will dwell for ever with his people. It is this which makes heaven itself. What would be all its glory and company without the presence of God? Could the angels and the harps be a substitute for him? O blissful thought, to be for ever with the Lord, in the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.
Come, join our wing, and we will guide the flight,
To mysteries of everlasting bliss,
The tree and fount of bliss, the eternal throne,
And presence-chamber of the King of kings.
II. Its happy citizens. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God.
1. They are enriched. God is their portion. In heaven there will be access to the most holy, and residence with the most dignified society. Patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, will be there, but the presence of Christ will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Your God, as much your own as if possessed by none besides, filling all with gladness, and fully possessed and enjoyed by each. Thou art my portion, O Lord.
2. They are intelligent. God is known to be their God. He is not simply with them, but known, seen to be with them. It is a personal, experimental, pre-eminent, and perfect knowledge. We know but little here, and that superficially. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. In heaven the mental powers will be glorified, study will be a delight, and knowledge will be acquired in direct converse with the objects of knowledge. We shall know by experience, by sight, face to face, what we only believe now. We see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know as also I am known.
3. They are holy. The place is Gods holy mount, and none can enter it but those who are holy. Only those who awake in his likeness will behold his face in righteousness. Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. Heaven would be hell to the alienated heart, the unrenewed sinner; but blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. To see God and be like him is the earnest desire of Gods people. This desire will be gratified in his holy mount. And if the glad smile of a friend begets joy in the heart, how will the light of Gods countenance quicken souls in heaven to a sense of his love! As the light of the sun transcribes its joyous image upon one who contemplates it, so the holiness which beams from the presence of God will purify those upon whom it shines. One sight of his glorious majesty, says one, presently subdues and works the soul to a full subjection. One sight of his purity makes it pure. One sight of his loveliness turns it into love. The saints thus become assimilated to God, whom they perpetually love and adore. We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
III. Its eternal security. And there shall no strangers pass through her any more. Mount Zion, literally and spiritually, was a place of beauty and stability. And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
1. No foe to fear. There will be no enemy to encounter. Death and hell will be overcome. Its possessors will never be subdued and taken captive. The wicked shall no more pass through thee (Nah. 1:15). In that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.
2. Nothing to defile. Profane nations and ungodly men can never enter. There is nothing in heavenly blessedness compared to its moral and holy character. There will be nothing to defile, or capable of being defiled. Not an act, word, or look will be contaminated by evil. There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lambs book of life.
3. Nothing to corrupt nor decay. The locust and caterpillar will not destroy. The worm will not devour the heart of ripening fruit. The sun shall not smite by day, nor the moon by night. On earth, everything is subject to vicissitude and decay; but the joys of heaven are abiding and secure. Where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. This inheritance will never wear and waste under the gnawing influence of time, nor be destroyed by the constant friction of disturbing forces. It is an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.
HOMILETIC HINTS AND OUTLINES
Many take the words as a description of Zion in the millennium. The metropolis of a converted world.
1. Its grandeur. God will dwell there.
2. Its sanctity. Then shall Jerusalem be holy.
3. Its security.
4. Its perpetuity. It will be the scene of delightful privileges and blessings. It will be invested with absolute and inviolable safety. It will possess renown and empire throughout the whole world.
This heavenly city, where Christs throne is, is called Zion, because there all the expectations which the O. T. saints connected with the earthly Zion will be fulfilled, and because, also, there everything which the Jews associated with the shadowy picture of the earthly Zion is for ever perfected in a glorious actualization. From thence Gods gracious kingdom, in all directions, is supplied, preserved, sanctified, and built up by blessings and gifts. For this reason that place is called, in the Epistle to the Galatians, Jerusalem, which is above and free, the mother of all his believing children, the true and eternal metropolis of Christendom [Harbaugh].
The words prove
1. That interest in God is the ground of encouragement to the Church. 2. That interest in God is sweetened by Gods gracious presence with his people.
3. That interest in God is confirmed by experimental knowledge. They shall know (1Co. 2:12).
4. That interest in God is evidenced by holy life. Sanctification is the fruit and end of Gods presence (Psa. 93:5).
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
(17) No strangers pass through her.Strangers signify the aliens who had hitherto oppressed. They are like the spots and wrinkles which would defile the bridethe Church of God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Joe 3:17. Then shall Jerusalem be holy That is, “After this, Jerusalem shall be safe under my care, and be no more profaned by the hostile armies of these mine enemies.” These expressions, perhaps, may have a further reference; and as we have found in the former prophets, that, under predictions of deliverances from particular enemies, great and future deliverances also in some remote ages are signified, this possibly may be the case with this latter part of Joel’s prophesy; wherein it has been thought by some (and I doubt not is the case), that he refers to the great and final restoration of the Jews, when the fulness of the Gentiles shall be come in.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Joe 3:17 So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
Ver. 17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God ] You shall experiment that which, during your deep afflictions, ye made some doubt of, and were ready to say, as Gideon did to the angel “If the Lord be for us, why is it thus with us?” or, as your unbelieving forefathers in the wilderness, “Is God among us?” as if that could not be, and they athirst.
Dwelling in Zion
Then shall Jerusalem be holy
And there shall no strangers pass through her any more
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
So shall ye know, &c. Compare Joe 2:27. See note on Eze 6:7.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.
My holy mountain. Compare Dan 11:45. Oba 1:16. Zec 8:3.
holy = holiness. See note on Exo 3:5.
no strangers. Compare Isa 35:8; Isa 52:1. Nah 1:15. Zec 14:21. Rev 21:27.
strangers = foreigners.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
shall ye: Joe 3:21, Joe 2:27, Psa 9:11, Psa 76:2, Isa 12:6, Eze 48:35, Mic 4:7, Zep 3:14-16
my: Dan 11:45, Oba 1:16, Zec 8:3
Jerusalem: Isa 4:3, Jer 31:23, Eze 43:12, Oba 1:17, Zec 14:20
holy: Heb. holiness
there: Isa 35:8, Isa 52:1, Nah 1:15, Zec 14:21, Rev 21:27
Reciprocal: Exo 16:12 – ye shall know 1Ki 20:13 – and thou shalt Job 15:19 – Unto whom Psa 146:10 – thy God Isa 18:4 – consider in my dwelling place Isa 46:13 – salvation Isa 54:14 – righteousness Isa 57:13 – my holy Isa 64:2 – to make Jer 31:40 – shall be Eze 7:27 – and they Eze 16:62 – and thou Eze 20:40 – in mine Eze 37:6 – ye shall Eze 43:7 – where I Eze 44:9 – General Dan 9:16 – thy holy Joe 2:1 – in my Amo 5:17 – I will Zep 3:13 – not Zep 3:15 – thou Zec 9:8 – I will Zec 12:8 – defend Zec 14:11 – there Gal 4:26 – Jerusalem
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Joe 3:17. Mountain in symbolic language means a government, and in the present passage it means the government of Christ, AYi strangers pass through means literally that the nation would not be bodily taken over by a foreign army as it was done by Babylon. Spiritually it denotes that no stranger (one of the outside world) would enter this kingdom until he renounced his past relationship and became a fellow citizen (Ephesians 2: 19).
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joe 3:17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord dwelling in Zion Very graciously present with you, and ever watching over you and delighting to save you. Then shall Jerusalem be holy After the churchs enemies are destroyed, the Messiah is come, and the remnant saved, the people of God shall be holy. There shall no strangers pass through her No profane or unclean person shall be found in the church of Christ.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
3:17 So shall ye know that I [am] the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass {k} through her any more.
(k) The strangers will no longer destroy his Church: and if they do, it is the fault of the people, who by their sins make the breach for the enemy.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
Yahweh’s victory will demonstrate to His people that He is indeed Israel’s covenant God and that His special place of abode is Mt. Zion (cf. Joe 2:27). After this battle Jerusalem will truly be the holy city, set apart entirely for God’s people and no longer defiled by pagan invaders.