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].

And I will sell {H4376} your sons {H1121} and your daughters {H1323} into the hand {H3027} of the children {H1121} of Judah {H3063}, and they shall sell {H4376} them to the Sabeans {H7615}, to a people {H1471} far off {H7350}: for the LORD {H3068} hath spoken {H1696} it.

I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Y'hudah; and they will sell them to the men of Sh'va, a nation far off; for ADONAI has spoken.

I will sell your sons and daughters into the hands of the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans—to a distant nation.” Indeed, the LORD has spoken.

and I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off: for Jehovah hath spoken it.

Joel 3:8 delivers a powerful declaration of divine justice, specifically targeting nations that had engaged in slave trading involving the people of Judah and Jerusalem. It proclaims God's intent to reverse the fortunes of these oppressors, selling their own children into distant slavery as a direct consequence of their actions.

Context

This verse is part of Joel's prophecy concerning the "Day of the Lord," a time of both judgment for the wicked and deliverance for God's people. Chapter 3, in particular, focuses on God's judgment against the nations that had afflicted Judah. Verses Joel 3:4-7 specifically mention Tyre, Sidon, and the Philistine territories, accusing them of seizing God's silver and gold, carrying away His goodly pleasant things, and selling the children of Judah and Jerusalem to the Grecians. Joel 3:8 serves as the direct response and retribution for these acts of enslavement and plunder, demonstrating God's commitment to His covenant people.

Key Themes

  • Divine Retribution and Justice: The central theme is God's unwavering commitment to justice. He declares that the very evil perpetrated by these nations—enslaving and selling others—will be visited upon their own offspring. This illustrates the principle of recompense, where actions have consequences, particularly in God's sovereign plan.
  • Reversal of Fortunes: The verse vividly portrays a dramatic reversal. Those who profited from selling Judah's sons and daughters will see their own children sold into the hands of Judah, who will then sell them even further away to the Sabeans. This highlights God's power to humble the proud and uplift the oppressed, a common theme in biblical prophecy concerning the Day of the Lord.
  • God's Sovereignty: The declaration "And I will sell your sons and your daughters..." emphasizes that this judgment is not random but a direct, intentional act of God. It underscores His absolute authority over nations and history, ensuring that His will for justice is executed.
  • The Sabeans as a Symbol: The mention of the "Sabeans, to a people far off," signifies the complete and far-reaching nature of this judgment. The Sabeans (likely from modern-day Yemen or Ethiopia) were known as distant traders, making their involvement a symbol of utter displacement and loss of freedom, mirroring the experience of those they had enslaved.

Linguistic Insights

The concluding phrase, "for the LORD hath spoken [it]," is crucial. It acts as a divine seal of certainty and authority on the prophecy. This declaration ensures that the judgment described is not merely a human prediction but a decree from the Almighty God, guaranteeing its fulfillment. It echoes similar pronouncements of divine certainty found throughout prophetic literature, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His word, whether in blessing or in judgment.

Practical Application

While specific to ancient nations, Joel 3:8 offers enduring principles for all times:

  • Accountability: It reminds us that God holds nations and individuals accountable for their actions, especially concerning injustice and oppression. There is a moral order in the universe, and ultimately, God's justice will prevail.
  • Sowing and Reaping: The verse powerfully illustrates the spiritual law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7). What one perpetrates against others can ultimately return upon oneself or one's descendants.
  • Hope for the Oppressed: For those suffering injustice, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God sees their plight and is committed to righting wrongs. He is a God who advocates for the vulnerable and promises to bring retribution upon their oppressors, offering comfort and hope in His eventual triumph over evil.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 60:14

    The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

  • Job 1:15

    And the Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

  • Judges 2:14

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.

  • Isaiah 14:1

    ¶ For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.

  • Isaiah 14:2

    And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.

  • Ezekiel 23:42

    And a voice of a multitude being at ease [was] with her: and with the men of the common sort [were] brought Sabeans from the wilderness, which put bracelets upon their hands, and beautiful crowns upon their heads.

  • Judges 4:9

    And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back