Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.

JOEL 3:12KJV
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Joel 3:12 (KJV)

What does Joel 3:12 mean?

Joel 3:12 describes God summoning the nations to the "valley of Jehoshaphat," where He will sit as judge over all the surrounding peoples. The verse pictures a moment when God calls everyone to account, emphasizing His authority to judge all nations.

In this verse, the prophet Joel is speaking God's words to the people of Judah, describing a future time of judgment. The "valley of Jehoshaphat" is likely a symbolic place representing God's decision or judgment, rather than a specific geographic location. The scene is one of a courtroom, with God as the judge and the nations gathered before Him to be judged for their actions.

The Hebrew behind Joel 3:12

  • "heathen" (גּוֹי, goy): This word refers to nations or peoples, often those outside Israel. Here, it highlights that God's judgment is not limited to Israel but includes all nations.
  • "valley" (עֵמֶק, ʿemeq): The word means a low-lying area or valley. In prophetic language, valleys often symbolize places of decision or confrontation.
  • "Jehoshaphat" (יְהוֹשָׁפָט, Yehoshafat): The name means "Yahweh judges." The valley's name underlines the theme of divine judgment.
  • "judge" (שָׁפַט, shafat): This verb means to judge, govern, or decide. It stresses God's role as the ultimate authority who will render a verdict on all peoples.

Why Joel 3:12 matters

  • Joel 3:12 clarifies that God's judgment is universal, extending beyond Israel to all nations, which counters any idea that only Israel is accountable to God.
  • The verse sets up a dramatic scene of divine justice, connecting to the larger theme in Joel of God righting wrongs and holding everyone responsible for their actions.
  • The use of the "valley of Jehoshaphat" as a symbolic location helps readers see that the focus is on God's decision and authority, not on a specific place on the map.

Where else these words appear

“valley” Hebrew H6010 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Judges 7:1 Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him, rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
  • Job 39:10 Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee?

“wakened” Hebrew H5782 · used in 65 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings:
  • Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
  • Isaiah 51:17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the LORD the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.

“Jehoshaphat” Hebrew H3092 · used in 75 verses

  • 2 Samuel 8:16 And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder;
  • 2 Kings 3:1 Now Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned twelve years.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.