Book of Joel Chapter 3 Vs. 21

The Glorious Future of Judah

 

For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion. Joel 3:21

For I will... Which some understand, as the Targum, of the Lord's, inflicting further punishments on the enemies of his people, for shedding their innocent blood.

And that he will not expiate their sins, nor hold them guiltless, or suffer them to go unpunished. But rather this is to be interpreted in a way of grace and mercy, as a benefit bestowed on Judah and Jerusalem, who are the immediate antecedents to the relative here.

And in the words a reason is given why they should dwell safely and peaceably for ever, because the Lord will justify them from their sins; forgive their iniquities; cleanse them from all their pollution, signified by blood. Of which grace they will have had no application made to them till this time.

that I have...But now all their guilt and faith will be removed; and particularly God will forgive, and declare to be forgiven their sin of crucifying Christ. Whose blood they had imprecated upon themselves and their children, and which has remained on them.

But now will be removed, with all the sad effects of it. Though this may also refer to the conversion of the Gentiles, and the pardon of their sins. And the sanctification of their persons, in such places and parts of the world, where such blessings of grace have not been bestowed in times past for many ages, if ever.

the Lord dwelleth... The prophecy ends like that of Ezekiel, with the fact of God living visibly on earth with men (cp. Eze. 48:30-35). And therefore, will diffuse his grace, and spread the blessings of it all around. Or "even the Lord that dwelleth in Zion"; He will do what is before promised; being the Lord, He can do it. And dwelling in Zion with all His children, it may be believed He will do it; and this will be forever, when His Shekinah shall return thither in the days of the Messiah.

The world had shed the blood of God's people, and God will punish them for it. It will be enough when they are destroyed, and Judah established forever. The LORD dwelleth in with His children.

This verse has posed problems for interpreters. The NIV suggests that the first part of the verse is a declaration that Judah will be forgiven (I will pardon). Against this is the fact that the sin of blood-guilt on the part of Judah is not mentioned elsewhere in the Book of Joel. A better reading is that of the NASB (following the LXX), which relates the passage to the judgment on the nations (cf. Joel 3:19) by portraying the Lord as the Avenger of Judah’s blood (“I will avenge their blood”). Another option is to translate, “And shall I leave their bloodshed [the Judean blood shed by the nations] go unpunished? I will not” (cf. Allen, The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah and Micah, p. 117; for a similar rhetorical question and response using the same Hebrew verb, niqqâh; cf. Jer. 25:29).

The book ends with an affirmation of the Lord’s presence in Zion (cf. Joel 3:17). It is this fact, above all else, which will assure the nation’s glorious future, portrayed in Joel 3:17-21.