The Meaning of Joel 3:3 Explained

Joel 3:3

KJV: And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

YLT: And for My people they do cast a lot, And they give the young man for an harlot, And the young woman have sold for wine, That they may drink.

Darby: and they have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, and have drunk it.

ASV: and have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they may drink.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And they have cast  lots  for my people;  and have given  a boy  for an harlot,  and sold  a girl  for wine,  that they might drink. 

What does Joel 3:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Joel 3:1-21 - "the Valley Of Decision"
Having stated the outward blessings that would follow repentance, Joel unveils the extraordinary spiritual blessings that were in store. The outpouring of the Spirit, described in Acts 2:16-17, does not exhaust these glorious words. This blessing is for all whom the Lord our God shall call to Himself, and as one to whom His call has come, you have a perfect right to claim your share in Pentecost. The promise is to all that are "afar off" in space and time. The very slaves, the most degraded and despised of men, become free when they yield themselves to Jesus and have an equal right to the same Spirit.
Joel 3:1-21 refers to the last desperate effort made by the powers of the world against Christ and His people. This will be the closing scene of man's apostasy. But the Lord will vindicate and deliver His oppressed from the hand of their oppressors; and the same judgment will bring them blessing. Having cleansed His people from their stains, Messiah will tabernacle among them, Revelation 21:3 [source]

Chapter Summary: Joel 3

1  God's judgments against the enemies of his people
9  God will be known in his judgment
18  His blessing upon the church

What do the individual words in Joel 3:3 mean?

For My people they have cast lots and have given [as payment] a boy for a harlot and a girl sold for wine that they may drink
וְאֶל־ עַמִּ֖י יַדּ֣וּ גוֹרָ֑ל וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙ בַּזּוֹנָ֔ה וְהַיַּלְדָּ֛ה מָכְר֥וּ בַיַּ֖יִן וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ

עַמִּ֖י  My  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
יַדּ֣וּ  they  have  cast 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: יָדַד  
Sense: (Qal) to throw lots, cast lots n.
גוֹרָ֑ל  lots 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֹּורָל  
Sense: lot.
וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ  and  have  given  [as  payment] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָתַן 
Sense: to give, put, set.
הַיֶּ֙לֶד֙  a  boy 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יֶלֶד  
Sense: child, son, boy, offspring, youth.
בַּזּוֹנָ֔ה  for  a  harlot 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: זָנָה 
Sense: to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot.
וְהַיַּלְדָּ֛ה  and  a  girl 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: יַלְדָּה  
Sense: girl, damsel, marriageable girl.
מָכְר֥וּ  sold 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: מָכַר  
Sense: to sell.
בַיַּ֖יִן  for  wine 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַיִן  
Sense: wine.
וַיִּשְׁתּֽוּ  that  they  may  drink 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁתָה  
Sense: to drink.

What are the major concepts related to Joel 3:3?

Loading Information...