1 Joel 3:1 in the English Bible is 4:1 in the Hebrew text (). See also the note at 2:28.
2 The and read “in those days,” while MurXII reads “in that day.”
3 The Kethib reads אָשִׁיב (’ashiv, “return the captivity [captives]), while the Qere is אָשׁוּב (’ashuv, “restore the fortunes”). Many modern English versions follow the Qere reading. Either reading seems to fit the context. Joel refers to an exile of the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem in 3:2–6 and their return from exile in 3:7. On the other hand, 2:25–26 describes the reversal of judgment and restoration of the covenant blessings. However, the former seems to be the concern of the immediate context.
4 For location see ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; .
5 There is a play on words here. Jehoshaphat in Hebrew means “the Lord has judged,” and the next line in v. 2 further explicates this thought. The location of this valley is uncertain (cf. v. 12). Many interpreters have understood the Valley of Jehoshaphat to be the Kidron Valley, located on the east side of old Jerusalem. Since this is described as a scene of future messianic activity and judgment, many Jews and Muslims have desired to be buried in the vicinity, a fact attested to in modern times by the presence of many graves in the area. A variation of this view is mentioned by Eusebius, Onomasticon 1:10. According to this view, the Valley of Jehoshaphat is located in the Hinnom Valley, on the south side of the old city. Yet another view is held by many modern scholars, who understand the reference to this valley to be one of an idealized and nonliteral scene of judgment.
6 Heb “I will execute judgment.”
7 Heb “concerning my people and my inheritance Israel.”
8 Heb “gave.”
9 Heb “and they drank.” Joel vividly refers to a situation where innocent human life has little value; its only worth is its use in somehow satisfying selfish appetites of wicked people who have control over others (cf. Amos 2:6 and 8:6).

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“For behold, in those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land, and have cast lots for my people, and have traded a boy for a prostitute, and have sold a girl for wine and have drunk it.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“In those days and at that time,

when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

I will gather all nations

and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

There I will put them on trial

for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel,

because they scattered my people among the nations

and divided up my land.

They cast lots for my people

and traded boys for prostitutes;

they sold girls for wine to drink.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

Yes, in those days and at that time,

when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

I will gather all the nations

and take them to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

I will enter into judgment with them there

because of my people, my inheritance Israel.

The nations have scattered the Israelites

in foreign countries

and divided up my land.

They cast lots for my people;

they bartered a boy for a prostitute

and sold a girl for wine to drink.

NLTNew Living Translation

“At the time of those events,” says the Lord,

“when I restore the prosperity of Judah and Jerusalem,

I will gather the armies of the world

into the valley of Jehoshaphat.

There I will judge them

for harming my people, my special possession,

for scattering my people among the nations,

and for dividing up my land.

They threw dice to decide which of my people

would be their slaves.

They traded boys to obtain prostitutes

and sold girls for enough wine to get drunk.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

For look! In those days, and in that time, when I will return the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, I will gather all the nations, and I will bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will argue a case against them there concerning my people and my inheritance Israel whom they have scattered among the nations, and my land that they have divided. For my people they cast lots, and they traded the male child for the prostitute, and the female child they sold for wine and they drank it.

KJV 1900King James Version

For, behold, in those days, and in that time,

When I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

I will also gather all nations,

And will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat,

And will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel,

Whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

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.

Public Domain