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.

JOEL 3:18KJV
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Joel 3:18 (KJV)

What does Joel 3:18 mean?

Joel 3:18 describes a future time of great blessing for Judah, when the land will be so fruitful that the mountains will seem to drip with new wine, the hills will flow with milk, and all the streams will be full of water. A special spring will flow from the house of the LORD, bringing life even to the dry valley of Shittim.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah, promising them restoration after a time of hardship and judgment. The verse uses vivid images of abundance—wine, milk, and water—to show that God will provide for His people in every way. The mention of a fountain coming from the house of the LORD suggests a source of blessing that starts with God and spreads outward, even reaching places that were once barren.

The Hebrew behind Joel 3:18

  • "Mountains" (הָרִים, harim): This word points to the high places around Judah. The image of mountains dripping with new wine emphasizes an overflowing abundance, far beyond normal harvests.
  • "Drop down" (נָטַף, nataf): This word means to drip or ooze. The idea is not just plenty, but a supernaturally rich outpouring, as if the land itself is producing more than usual.
  • "Fountain" (מַעְיָן, ma‘yan): This is a natural spring or source of water. The fountain coming from the house of the LORD (בֵּית יְהוָה, beit YHWH) suggests that God Himself is the origin of the blessings.
  • "Valley of Shittim" (נַחַל הַשִּׁטִּים, nachal haShittim): This valley is known for being dry and barren. The promise that it will be watered highlights the total transformation God is promising.

Why Joel 3:18 matters

  • Joel 3:18 clears up the idea that God's restoration is only spiritual; the verse shows that God’s blessings are pictured as very real, physical abundance for His people.
  • The verse emphasizes that the source of all this blessing is God Himself, not just natural cycles or human effort.
  • Joel 3:18 connects to the wider theme of the book: after judgment comes hope and renewal, with God providing more than enough for His people’s needs.

Where else these words appear

“wine” Hebrew H6071 · used in 5 verses

  • Song of Solomon 8:2 I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother's house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate.
  • Isaiah 49:26 And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.
  • Joel 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

“Shittim” Hebrew H7851 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
  • Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.
  • Joshua 3:1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

“down” Hebrew H5197 · used in 14 verses

  • Judges 5:4 LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water.
  • Song of Solomon 4:11 Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honeycomb: honey and milk are under thy tongue; and the smell of thy garments is like the smell of Lebanon.
  • Ezekiel 21:2 Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem, and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel,

“rivers” Hebrew H650 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
  • Psalms 42:1 To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
  • Ezekiel 32:6 I will also water with thy blood the land wherein thou swimmest, even to the mountains; and the rivers shall be full of thee.