Joel 3:4

KJV

Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre {H6865}, and Zidon {H6721}, and all the coasts {H1552} of Palestine {H6429}? will ye render {H7999} me a recompence {H1576}? and if ye recompense {H1580} me, swiftly {H7031} and speedily {H4120} will I return {H7725} your recompence {H1576} upon your own head {H7218};

Complete Jewish Bible

"Moreover, what have you against me, Tzor, Tzidon, all parts of P'leshet? Are you paying me back for something I did? If you're paying me back for something I did, then easily, quickly, I'll pay you back right on your own head.

Berean Standard Bible

Now what do you have against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? Are you rendering against Me a recompense? If you retaliate against Me, I will swiftly and speedily return your recompense upon your heads.

American Standard Version

Yea, and what are ye to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 3:4 delivers a potent declaration of divine judgment against the nations of Tyre, Zidon, and Philistia, who had historically oppressed and exploited God's people, Judah and Jerusalem. The verse asserts God's sovereign authority and righteous indignation, challenging these nations' actions and promising swift and certain retribution for their transgressions, emphasizing that their deeds will be returned upon their own heads.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joel 3:4 is situated within the broader prophetic discourse of Joel, particularly following the vivid descriptions of the "Day of the Lord" in [Joel 2](/joel/2 "Joel 2 - The Day of the Lord") and the call to national repentance. Chapters [Joel 3](/joel/3 "Joel 3 - God's Judgment on the Nations") (or 4 in some translations) shift focus from the locust plague and internal repentance to God's universal judgment upon the nations. The preceding verses in [Joel 3:1-3](/joel/3-1-3 "Joel 3:1-3 - God Gathers the Nations for Judgment") speak of God gathering all nations into the "valley of Jehoshaphat" for judgment because they have scattered His people, divided His land, and cast lots for His heritage. Verse 4 then directly addresses specific nations—Tyre, Zidon, and Philistia—who were prominent in these injustices, setting the stage for the detailed charges and promised recompense that follow in [Joel 3:5-8](/joel/3-5-8 "Joel 3:5-8 - Specific Charges Against Nations").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Tyre and Zidon were powerful Phoenician city-states located on the Mediterranean coast, renowned for their maritime trade and economic prowess. Philistia (referred to as "the coasts of Palestine") was another coastal region, home to the Philistines, perennial adversaries of Israel. Historically, these nations often engaged in slave trade, selling Jewish captives to distant lands like Greece, and participated in the plunder of Jerusalem's temple treasures, as alluded to in [Joel 3:5-6](/joel/3-5-6 "Joel 3:5-6 - The Plunder of Jerusalem and Sale of Its People"). Their actions represented a direct affront to God's covenant people and His holy city. The rhetorical question "what have ye to do with me?" reflects the common ancient Near Eastern legal challenge, indicating a dispute over rights or jurisdiction, with God asserting His ultimate claim over His people and land, despite the geopolitical realities of the time.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Joel and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, asserting God's ultimate authority over all nations and His active involvement in human history, challenging any nation that presumes to act against His will or His people. Secondly, the theme of **Retribution and Recompense** is central, as God explicitly promises to "return your recompence upon your own head," highlighting the principle of *lex talionis* (law of retaliation) and the certainty that injustice will not go unpunished. This echoes the broader biblical truth that [vengeance belongs to the Lord](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance is Mine"). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Protection of God's People**, serving as a divine assurance that any harm inflicted upon Israel is considered a direct offense against God Himself, reminiscent of the declaration that [whoever touches His people touches the apple of His eye](/zechariah/2-8 "Zechariah 2:8 - Touching the Apple of God's Eye"). Finally, the phrase "swiftly and speedily" highlights the **Immediacy and Certainty of Divine Judgment**, signaling that God's justice will be executed without delay.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Recompence (Hebrew, _gᵉmûwl'_):** From H1576, this noun denotes treatment, an act (of good or ill), or requital. It carries the sense of a deserved outcome or repayment. In Joel 3:4, it specifically refers to the punitive retribution God will exact, a just consequence for the hostile actions of Tyre, Zidon, and Philistia against His people. It is a repayment in kind, reflecting the very nature of their deeds.
* **Speedily (Hebrew, _mᵉhêrâh'_):** From H4120, this feminine noun, used adverbially, means promptly, hastily, or swiftly. Its inclusion here, alongside "swiftly" (H7031, *qal*), forms a strong Hebrew idiom emphasizing the urgency, rapidity, and inevitability of God's promised judgment. It underscores that there will be no delay or escape from the divine reckoning.
* **Return (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** From H7725, this primitive root means to turn back, whether transitively or intransitively. In this context, it signifies God's act of causing the consequences of the nations' actions to revert or fall back upon them. It's a powerful verb that conveys the reversal of fortune and the direct application of their own evil deeds back to their source.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?"**: This opening rhetorical question is a powerful expression of divine indignation and a legal challenge. God confronts these nations, questioning their right or jurisdiction to interfere with His people. It implies that their actions against Judah and Jerusalem are not merely political or economic but a direct affront to God Himself, who claims ultimate ownership and protection over His heritage. The mention of specific geographical entities underscores the precision of God's judgment.
* **"will ye render me a recompence?"**: This second rhetorical question is a defiant challenge, implying that these nations have wronged God's people and, by extension, God Himself. It dares them to imagine they can repay or escape the consequences of their actions. The question is loaded with irony, as it sets up the immediate answer that follows, demonstrating the futility of their defiance.
* **"and if ye recompense me, swiftly [and] speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;"**: This clause provides the unequivocal answer to the preceding challenges. It declares God's absolute commitment to justice. The double adverbial emphasis ("swiftly and speedily") highlights the certainty and immediacy of the divine response. "Return your recompence upon your own head" is a vivid idiom signifying that the very evil they inflicted will boomerang back upon them, a direct and personal retribution for their deeds.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 3:4 is rich in **Rhetorical Questions**, which serve to emphasize God's indignation and challenge the nations' audacity ("what have ye to do with me?" and "will ye render me a recompence?"). These questions are not seeking information but are powerful declarations of God's authority and judgment. The phrase "swiftly and speedily" employs **Repetition** (or **Hendiadys**, using two words to express a single idea more emphatically) to underscore the immediacy and certainty of divine retribution. This **Intensification** leaves no doubt about the rapid and inevitable nature of God's justice. Furthermore, the concluding phrase "return your recompence upon your own head" is a potent **Idiom** or **Metonymy**, where "head" stands for the entire person, vividly conveying the direct and personal nature of the judgment that will befall the nations for their actions. This imagery also implies a sense of **Poetic Justice**, where the punishment perfectly fits the crime.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 3:4 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution, underscoring that God is not a passive observer of human injustice, especially when His covenant people are oppressed. It reveals a God who is actively engaged in the affairs of nations, holding them accountable for their actions against His chosen ones. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that while God is merciful and long-suffering, His justice is absolute and inevitable. Any harm inflicted upon those whom God has called His own is considered a direct affront to His character and sovereignty, ensuring that a day of reckoning will come for all who defy His will. The swiftness and certainty of this judgment provide both a warning to oppressors and a comfort to the oppressed, affirming God's unwavering commitment to righteousness.

* [Deuteronomy 32:35](/deuteronomy/32-35 "Deuteronomy 32:35 - Vengeance is Mine")
* [Psalm 7:16](/psalms/7-16 "Psalm 7:16 - His Mischief Shall Return Upon His Own Head")
* [Isaiah 60:14](/isaiah/60-14 "Isaiah 60:14 - Those Who Afflicted You Shall Bow Down")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 3:4 offers profound insights into God's character and His interaction with humanity, carrying significant implications for both individuals and nations today. It calls us to recognize God's active sovereignty over all earthly affairs, reminding us that no act of injustice, especially against the vulnerable or those who bear God's name, goes unnoticed or unaddressed by the divine Judge. For those who face oppression or witness pervasive injustice, this verse serves as a beacon of hope and comfort, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will ultimately bring about a just resolution. It encourages patience and trust in God's perfect timing, knowing that while His justice may seem delayed, it is always certain and will be executed with precision. Conversely, for those in positions of power or influence, or indeed for any individual tempted to exploit or harm others, Joel 3:4 stands as a stern warning: God is just, and all actions have consequences. It compels us to examine our own hearts and actions, ensuring we align with God's righteousness and compassion, rather than contributing to the cycles of injustice that draw divine recompense.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the swiftness and certainty of God's judgment in Joel 3:4 challenge our modern perceptions of justice, especially when injustice seems to prevail?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or communities, be tempted to "recompense" others in our own strength, and how does this verse redirect us to God's ultimate authority in justice?**
* **How can the promise of God's ultimate justice provide comfort and strength to those who are currently experiencing oppression or injustice?**

### FAQ
**What does "what have ye to do with me" mean in this context?**

Answer: This is a rhetorical question that functions as a strong expression of divine indignation and a legal challenge. It signifies God's assertion of His ultimate authority and jurisdiction over His people and land. It's akin to saying, "By what right do you interfere with My affairs?" or "You have no claim or business with Me or My people!" It highlights that the nations' actions against Judah and Jerusalem are not merely geopolitical but a direct affront to God Himself.

**Why are Tyre, Zidon, and "the coasts of Palestine" specifically mentioned?**

Answer: These regions represent the Phoenician city-states (Tyre and Zidon) and the Philistine territories ("coasts of Palestine"). Historically, these nations were frequent adversaries of Israel and were particularly implicated in the slave trade of Jewish people and the plundering of Jerusalem's treasures, as detailed in subsequent verses like [Joel 3:6](/joel/3-6 "Joel 3:6 - Selling the Children of Judah"). Their mention underscores the specific nature of their transgressions against God's people, making them prime examples of those who would face divine recompense.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 3:4, with its vivid portrayal of divine judgment and recompense, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the immediate context speaks of God's judgment on specific nations for their historical injustices, the New Testament reveals Christ as the one through whom all judgment is executed. The "recompense" for sin, which humanity justly deserved, was fully borne by Christ on the cross, as He became the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). He received the full measure of divine wrath for those who believe, thereby fulfilling the principle of recompense in a redemptive way. Yet, Christ is also the righteous Judge before whom all nations will ultimately stand. The swift and speedy return of recompense foreshadows His glorious [second coming](/matthew/24-30 "Matthew 24:30 - The Sign of the Son of Man") when He will return, not as a suffering servant, but as the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords"), to [judge the living and the dead](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge the Living and the Dead"). The nations that oppressed God's people in Joel's day find their ultimate parallel in all forces that oppose God's kingdom. Christ's victory on the cross and His future return guarantee that all injustice will be rectified, and every knee will bow, acknowledging His supreme authority, ensuring that the "recompense" of all unrighteousness will indeed be returned upon the heads of those who ultimately reject His reign, while His people find eternal peace and justice in His kingdom.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 34:8

For [it is] the day of the LORD'S vengeance, [and] the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion.

Jeremiah 47:4

Because of the day that cometh to spoil all the Philistines, [and] to cut off from Tyrus and Zidon every helper that remaineth: for the LORD will spoil the Philistines, the remnant of the country of Caphtor.

Amos 1:6

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they carried away captive the whole captivity, to deliver [them] up to Edom:

Amos 1:10

But I will send a fire on the wall of Tyrus, which shall devour the palaces thereof.

Isaiah 59:18

According to [their] deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence.

Isaiah 23:1

¶ The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.

Isaiah 23:2

Be still, ye inhabitants of the isle; thou whom the merchants of Zidon, that pass over the sea, have replenished.