translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: JOL

label: NET textual note

text: The MT and LXX read “in those days,” while MurXII reads “in that day.”


text: 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.


label: NET translator note

text: For location see Map5-B1 ; Map6-F3 ; Map7-E2 ; Map8-F2 ; Map10-B3 ; JP1-F4 ; JP2-F4 ; JP3-F4 ; JP4-F4 .


text: Heb “I will execute judgment.”


text: Heb “concerning my people and my inheritance Israel.”


text: Heb “gave.”


text: Heb “What [are] you [doing] to me, O Tyre and Sidon?”


text: Or “districts.”


text: Heb “quickly, speedily, I will return your recompense on your head.” This is an idiom for retributive justice and an equitable reversal of situation.


text: Or perhaps, “temples.”


text: Heb “border.”


text: Heb “I will return your recompense on your head.”


text: Heb “into the hand of.”


text: Heb “the sons of Judah.”


text: Heb “draw near and go up.”


text: This Hebrew verb is found only here in the OT; its meaning is uncertain. Some scholars prefer to read here עוּרוּ (’ uru , “arouse”) or חוּשׁוּ ( khushu , “hasten”).


text: The present translation follows the reading of the imperative הִקָּבְצוּ ( hiqqavÿtsu ) rather than the perfect with vav ( ו ) consecutive וְנִקְבָּצוּ ( vÿniqbbatsu ) of the MT.


text: Some commentators prefer to delete the line “Bring down, O Lord , your warriors,” understanding it to be a later addition. But this is unnecessary. Contrary to what some have suggested, a prayer for the Lord ’s intervention is not out of place here.


text: Heb “send.”


text: Heb “go down” or “tread.” The Hebrew term רְדוּ ( rÿdu ) may be from יָרַד ( yarad , “to go down”) or from רָדָה ( radah , “have dominion,” here in the sense of “to tread”). If it means “go down,” the reference would be to entering the vat to squash the grapes. If it means “tread,” the verb would refer specifically to the action of those who walk over the grapes to press out their juice. The phrase “the grapes” is supplied in the translation for clarity.


text: Heb “gather in.”


text: Heb “he sounds forth his voice.”


text: Or “the sky.” See the note on “sky” in 2:30 .


text: Heb “sons.”


text: Heb “know.”


text: Heb “strangers” or “foreigners.” In context, this refers to invasions by conquering armies.


text: Heb “and it will come about in that day.”


text: Many English translations read “new wine” or “sweet wine,” meaning unfermented wine, i.e., grape juice.


text: Or “seasonal streams.”


text: Heb “house.”


text: Heb “valley of Shittim.” The exact location of the Valley of Acacia Trees is uncertain. The Hebrew word שִׁטִּים ( shittim ) refers to a place where the acacia trees grow, which would be a very arid and dry place. The acacia tree can survive in such locations, whereas most other trees require more advantageous conditions. Joel’s point is that the stream that has been mentioned will proceed to the most dry and barren of locations in the vicinity of Jerusalem.


text: Heb “violence of the sons of Judah.” The phrase “of the sons of Judah” is an objective genitive (cf. KJV “the violence against the children of Judah”; NAB, NIV, NRSV “violence done to the people of Judah”). It refers to injustices committed against the Judeans, not violence that the Judeans themselves had committed against others.


text: The phrase “will be secure” does not appear in the Hebrew, but are supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.


text: The present translation follows the reading וְנִקַּמְתִּי ( vÿniqqamti , “I will avenge”) rather than וְנִקֵּתִי ( vÿniqqeti , “I will acquit”) of the MT.