Joel 3:6

KJV

The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.

KJV (with Strong's)

The children {H1121} also of Judah {H3063} and the children {H1121} of Jerusalem {H3389} have ye sold {H4376} unto the Grecians {H3125}{H1121}, that ye might remove them far {H7368} from their border {H1366}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people of Y'hudah and Yerushalayim you sold to the Greeks, so that you could remove them far away from their land.

Berean Standard Bible

You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, to send them far from their homeland.

American Standard Version

and have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem unto the sons of the Grecians, that ye may remove them far from their border;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joel 3:6 serves as a stark indictment against the nations surrounding Judah and Jerusalem, particularly those involved in the slave trade. The verse condemns the heinous act of selling the vulnerable inhabitants, including children, into distant foreign lands, specifically to the Grecians, thereby severing them from their homeland and heritage. This act of forced displacement and dehumanization is presented as a grave offense against God's covenant people, provoking divine judgment and underscoring God's unwavering commitment to justice for the oppressed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The Book of Joel pivots around the theme of "the Day of the Lord," a multifaceted concept encompassing divine judgment and subsequent restoration. Following a vivid description of a locust plague and a call to repentance for Judah in [Joel 1](/joel/1 "Joel 1 - The Locust Plague and Call to Repentance") and [Joel 2](/joel/2 "Joel 2 - The Day of the Lord and Promise of Restoration"), the prophetic focus shifts in [Joel 3](/joel/3 "Joel 3 - God's Judgment on the Nations"). Here, God declares His intention to gather the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat for judgment, specifically for their mistreatment of His people and His heritage, Israel ([Joel 3:1-2](/joel/3-1-2 "Joel 3:1-2 - God Gathers the Nations for Judgment")). Verses [Joel 3:4-8](/joel/3-4-8 "Joel 3:4-8 - Judgment on Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia") directly address Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia, outlining their specific transgressions, among which the selling of Judah's people into slavery is a prominent accusation, as highlighted in [Joel 3:6](/joel/3-6 "Joel 3:6 - The Selling of Judah's Children").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was rife with inter-state conflicts and the subsequent practice of taking captives, who were often sold into slavery. This was a common economic and political practice, with major trading centers facilitating the exchange of human beings as merchandise. The mention of "Grecians" (Hebrew: _Yawan_) points to the burgeoning Greek world, particularly the Ionian Greeks, who were known to be significant purchasers of slaves from the Levant, often through Phoenician intermediaries. This indicates that the captives from Judah and Jerusalem were sold far from their homeland, across the Mediterranean, into a distant and alien culture. Such forced removal was not merely an economic transaction but a profound act of cultural, familial, and spiritual devastation, tearing individuals from their community, their land, and their covenant relationship with God.
* **Key Themes:** Joel 3:6 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Retribution and Justice**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to holding nations accountable for their actions against humanity, especially His chosen people. The selling of people, particularly vulnerable children, was an egregious sin that provoked divine wrath, echoing similar judgments found in passages like [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon") and [Amos 1:6-10](/amos/1-6-10 "Amos 1:6-10 - Judgment on Gaza and Tyre for Slave Trade"). Secondly, it serves as a strong **Condemnation of Slavery and Human Trafficking**, highlighting the dehumanizing nature of such practices and the immense suffering caused by severing individuals from their families, culture, and homeland. Finally, the verse implicitly emphasizes **God's Sovereignty and Protection** over His people. Despite their suffering, God is fully aware and promises to intervene, reinforcing the idea that those who harm His people are touching the "apple of His eye," as articulated in [Zechariah 2:8](/zechariah/2-8 "Zechariah 2:8 - God's Care for His People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **children (Hebrew, _bên_):** This term (H1121) is derived from a root meaning "to build" and refers to a son, but in its widest sense, it encompasses offspring, including young ones. Its use here emphasizes the extreme vulnerability of those sold into slavery. The specific mention of "children" highlights the moral depravity of the perpetrators, as it targets the most defenseless members of society, those who represent the future and continuity of the family and nation.
* **sold (Hebrew, _mâkar_):** The primitive root (H4376) "to sell" denotes a commercial transaction, literally involving merchandise, a daughter in marriage, or, as in this context, human beings into slavery. This word underscores the reduction of human life to a commodity, stripped of inherent dignity and worth, exchanged for profit by those who disregard their humanity.
* **Grecians (Hebrew, _Yᵉvânîy_):** This patronymic term (H3125) refers to a Javanite, or descendant of Javan, broadly understood as the Ionians or Greeks. Its inclusion signifies the distant, foreign destination of the enslaved. To be sold to the "Grecians" meant being transported far across the sea, beyond the familiar world of the Levant, into a culture completely alien, with little to no hope of return or reconnection with their people and land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem":** This phrase specifically identifies the victims of the slave trade as the inhabitants of God's covenant land and capital city. The repetition of "children" emphasizes the tender age and innocence of many of those exploited, intensifying the gravity of the crime. It highlights that the very core and future of God's people were targeted.
* **"have ye sold unto the Grecians":** This clause directly accuses the nations (specifically Tyre, Sidon, and Philistia, as per the preceding verses) of the act of selling these vulnerable people. The "Grecians" (or Ionians) represent a distant, foreign market, signifying the complete removal of the captives from their familiar world and the deliberate nature of their permanent displacement. This was a calculated act of exploitation for economic gain.
* **"that ye might remove them far from their border":** This final clause articulates the devastating consequence and malicious intent behind the sale. The purpose was not merely to enslave but to utterly dislocate and alienate the people from their homeland, their families, their cultural identity, and their religious heritage. This forced removal from their "border" (their territory, their home) signified a profound act of dehumanization and an attempt to erase their connection to the land promised by God.

#### Literary Devices
Joel 3:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. The use of **Pathos** is evident in the specific mention of "children," designed to evoke deep sympathy and outrage from the audience. By highlighting the vulnerability of the victims, the prophet intensifies the moral condemnation of the perpetrators. The verse also functions as a direct **Accusation**, with the pronoun "ye" directly addressing the culpable nations, leaving no ambiguity about their guilt. Furthermore, the act of selling people "far from their border" serves as a form of **Symbolism**, representing not just physical displacement but also a spiritual and existential severance from their identity as God's covenant people and their heritage in the promised land. This complete removal signifies the ultimate act of oppression and dehumanization.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joel 3:6 profoundly articulates God's righteous indignation against human exploitation and injustice, particularly when directed at the vulnerable and His covenant people. It underscores the biblical principle that human beings are not commodities to be bought and sold, but image-bearers of God, possessing inherent dignity and worth. The divine response to such atrocities reveals a God who is not distant or indifferent, but one who actively intervenes to bring justice and restoration. This verse serves as a foundational text for understanding God's unwavering commitment to the oppressed and His promise of retribution against those who perpetuate systems of slavery and human trafficking.

* [Deuteronomy 28:68](/deuteronomy/28-68 "Threat of Being Sold into Slavery")
* [Amos 1:6](/amos/1-6 "Judgment on Gaza for Slave Trade")
* [Revelation 18:13](/revelation/18-13 "Babylon's Merchandise, Including Slaves")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joel 3:6, though ancient, resonates with profound contemporary relevance, serving as a powerful prophetic voice against all forms of human exploitation. It challenges believers today to recognize that God's heart still grieves over the buying and selling of human lives, whether through modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, or any system that dehumanizes individuals for profit or power. This verse calls us to move beyond passive observation to active compassion and advocacy for the vulnerable and oppressed in our world. It reminds us that justice is not merely a human ideal but a divine imperative, and that God sees, remembers, and will ultimately act on behalf of those who suffer injustice. Our faith demands that we not only pray for justice but also actively participate in dismantling systems of oppression, offering hope and practical assistance to those who are exploited, and upholding the inherent dignity of every human life.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What forms of human exploitation and trafficking exist in our world today, and how does Joel 3:6 speak to these modern realities?**
* **How can individuals and communities of faith actively participate in advocating for and protecting the vulnerable from exploitation?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge our understanding of divine justice and God's involvement in the affairs of nations?**

### FAQ

**Who are the "Grecians" mentioned in Joel 3:6, and why is their involvement significant?**

Answer: The "Grecians" (Hebrew: _Yᵉvânîy_, H3125) refers to the Ionians, or more broadly, the Greeks. This term signifies a distant, foreign land to the west of Israel. Their involvement is significant because it emphasizes the extreme displacement and hopelessness of those sold into slavery. To be sold to the Grecians meant being transported far across the Mediterranean Sea, away from their homeland, culture, and any realistic hope of return, highlighting the profound and permanent nature of their separation from their heritage and families.

**Why does the verse specifically mention "children" being sold into slavery?**

Answer: The specific mention of "children" (Hebrew: _bên_, H1121) underscores the profound moral offense of the act. Children are the most vulnerable members of any society, representing its future and continuity. Their exploitation for profit is an act of extreme cruelty and moral depravity. By highlighting the sale of children, the prophet intensifies the condemnation of the nations involved, appealing to a universal sense of outrage against the abuse of the innocent and defenseless. It emphasizes the complete disregard for human dignity inherent in the slave trade.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joel 3:6, with its poignant depiction of the selling of God's people, particularly the vulnerable "children," into distant slavery, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse condemns the literal selling of human beings, it also foreshadows the deeper spiritual slavery to sin and death from which humanity needed liberation. Jesus, the true Son of God, willingly "sold" Himself, not for profit, but as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "The Son of Man Came to Serve and Give His Life")). He identified with the oppressed and the marginalized, declaring His mission to "proclaim liberty to the captives" ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Jesus Proclaims His Mission from Isaiah 61:1")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ broke the chains of spiritual bondage, removing us not "far from our border," but bringing us near to God, into His eternal kingdom and family ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Brought Near by the Blood of Christ")). He is the ultimate deliverer who redeems us from every form of slavery—sin, death, and the injustices of this world—promising a future where there will be no more sorrow, crying, or pain, and where every tear will be wiped away ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "No More Sorrow or Crying")). Thus, Joel's lament for the enslaved finds its hope and resolution in the liberating power of Christ, who restores dignity and brings eternal freedom to all who believe.

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

Ezekiel 27:13

Javan, Tubal, and Meshech, they [were] thy merchants: they traded the persons of men and vessels of brass in thy market.

Joel 3:3

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.

Joel 3:8

And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the LORD hath spoken [it].

Deuteronomy 28:68

And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

Deuteronomy 28:32

Thy sons and thy daughters [shall be] given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail [with longing] for them all the day long: and [there shall be] no might in thine hand.