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Joel 3:17

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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.

So shall ye know {H3045} that I am the LORD {H3068} your God {H430} dwelling {H7931} in Zion {H6726}, my holy {H6944} mountain {H2022}: then shall Jerusalem {H3389} be holy {H6944}, and there shall no strangers {H2114} pass through {H5674} her any more.

"You will know that I am ADONAI your God, living on Tziyon my holy mountain." Then Yerushalayim will be holy, and foreigners will pass through her no more.

Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.

So shall ye know that I am Jehovah your God, dwelling in Zion my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.

Commentary

Joel 3:17 stands as a powerful declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and the glorious future He has planned for Jerusalem and His people. It is a climactic promise of divine presence, holiness, and security following a period of judgment described earlier in the chapter.

Context

The Book of Joel largely focuses on the "Day of the LORD," a significant prophetic theme encompassing both judgment and restoration. Chapter 3 specifically describes God's judgment upon the nations who have oppressed Israel, leading into a vivid portrayal of God's blessings and protection for His people. Verse 17 comes after prophecies of judgment on the nations in the "valley of Jehoshaphat" (Joel 3:2, 3:12) and promises of abundant blessings for Judah (Joel 3:18-21). It seals these promises with an assurance of God's permanent dwelling and the resultant sanctity of Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Sovereignty: The core of the verse is the declaration, "So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain." This emphasizes God's unique relationship with Israel and His chosen city, Jerusalem. His dwelling signifies His active presence, His authority, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The phrase "ye shall know" implies a deep, experiential understanding of His power and commitment after He has demonstrated His might.
  • Holiness and Purification of Jerusalem: The promise "then shall Jerusalem be holy" signifies a profound transformation. Historically, Jerusalem often faced defilement through idolatry and foreign influences. This prophecy points to a future state where the city is completely consecrated to God, set apart for His pure worship and presence, free from all unholiness.
  • Security and Exclusion of Strangers: The concluding phrase, "and there shall no strangers pass through her any more," speaks of absolute peace and inviolability. "Strangers" here refers not merely to foreigners in general, but to those who are hostile, profane, or unclean. This promise assures an end to foreign invasions, domination, and defilement, establishing Jerusalem as a secure, protected sanctuary under God's direct rule. This echoes the vision of the New Jerusalem where nothing unclean will enter.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word translated "strangers" is zar (זָר). While it can simply mean "foreigner," in prophetic contexts like this, it often carries the connotation of someone or something unauthorized, profane, or hostile to God and His people. Thus, "no strangers pass through her any more" conveys a complete cessation of any defiling or conquering presence within the holy city, ensuring its perpetual purity and security.

Practical Application

While Joel 3:17 has a specific prophetic fulfillment concerning the literal city of Jerusalem, its underlying principles offer profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us of God's unwavering commitment to His people and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration. Just as God promises to dwell in Zion, He also promises to dwell among His people through the Holy Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16). The promise of Jerusalem being "holy" and free from "strangers" points to a future where God's kingdom will be perfectly established, free from sin and evil. This gives us hope and a call to live lives of holiness, anticipating the full realization of God's presence and purity in His eternal kingdom.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joel 2:27 (7 votes)

    And ye shall know that I [am] in the midst of Israel, and [that] I [am] the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

  • Isaiah 52:1 (6 votes)

    ¶ Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

  • Nahum 1:15 (6 votes)

    Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

  • Revelation 21:27 (5 votes)

    And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

  • Isaiah 4:3 (5 votes)

    And it shall come to pass, [that he that is] left in Zion, and [he that] remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, [even] every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

  • Jeremiah 31:23 (4 votes)

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; The LORD bless thee, O habitation of justice, [and] mountain of holiness.

  • Joel 3:21 (3 votes)

    For I will cleanse their blood [that] I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.