Joel 3:18

Joel 3:18 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

King James Version KJV

¶ And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

American Standard Version ASV

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And it will come about in that day that the mountains will be dropping sweet wine, and the hills will be flowing with milk, and all the streams of Judah will be flowing with water; and a fountain will come out from the house of the Lord, watering the valley of acacia-trees.

Free Bible Version FBV

At that time new wine will pour down the mountains, and the hills will flow with milk, and all the riverbeds of Judah will run with water. A spring will flow out of the Temple and will water the valley of Shittim.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And in that day shall the mountaines drop downe newe wine, and the hilles shall flowe with milke, and al the riuers of Iudah shall runne with waters, and a fountaine shall come forth of the House of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And it hath come to pass, in that day, Drop down do the mountains juice, And the hills do flow [with] milk, And all streams of Judah do go [with] water, And a fountain from the house of Jehovah goeth forth, And hath watered the valley of Shittim.

World English Bible WEB

It will happen in that day, that the mountains will drop down sweet wine, the hills will flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah will flow with waters; and a fountain will flow out from the LORD’s house, and will water the valley of Shittim.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweetness, and the hills shall flow with milk: and waters shall flow through all the rivers of Juda: and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the torrent of thorns.

Translation for Translators T4T

At that time, there will be vineyards covering [MTY] the hills, and your cattle and goats on those hills will produce plenty of milk. The streams in Judah will never dry up. And a stream will flow from my temple into the Acacia Valley northeast of the Dead Sea.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joel 3:18

BAB

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Study Notes — Joel 3:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Joel 3:18 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Joel 3:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joel 3:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joel 3:18
Trapp's Commentary on Joel 3:18
Ellicott's Commentary on Joel 3:18
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joel 3:18
Cambridge Bible on Joel 3:18
Barnes' Notes on Joel 3:18
Whedon's Commentary on Joel 3:18
Sermons on Joel 3:18

Context — Blessings for God’s People

16The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel. 17Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.

18And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.

19Egypt will become desolate, and Edom a desert wasteland, because of the violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood. 20But Judah will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Ezekiel 47:1–12	Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. Then he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through knee-deep water. Again he measured a thousand cubits and led me through waist-deep water. Once again he measured off a thousand cubits, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough for swimming—a river that could not be crossed on foot. “Son of man, do you see this?” he asked. Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived, I saw a great number of trees along both banks of the river. And he said to me, “This water flows out to the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures and a great number of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh; so wherever the river flows, everything will flourish. Fishermen will stand by the shore; from En-gedi to En-eglaim they will spread their nets to catch fish of many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. Along both banks of the river, fruit trees of all kinds will grow. Their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. Each month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will be used for food and their leaves for healing.”
2	Zechariah 14:8	And on that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it toward the Eastern Sea and the other half toward the Western Sea, in summer and winter alike.
3	Revelation 22:1–2	Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the main street of the city. On either side of the river stood a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit and yielding a fresh crop for each month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
4	Isaiah 35:6	Then the lame will leap like a deer and the mute tongue will shout for joy. For waters will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
5	Amos 9:13–14	“Behold, the days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the plowman will overtake the reaper and the treader of grapes, the sower of seed. The mountains will drip with sweet wine, with which all the hills will flow. I will restore My people Israel from captivity; they will rebuild and inhabit the ruined cities. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.
6	Isaiah 30:25	And from every high mountain and every raised hill, streams of water will flow in the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall.
7	Numbers 25:1	While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,
8	Psalms 46:4	There is a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
9	Isaiah 41:17–18	The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the barren heights, and fountains in the middle of the valleys. I will turn the desert into a pool of water, and the dry land into flowing springs.
10	Isaiah 55:12–13	You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow, and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up; they will make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”

Joel 3:18 Summary

Joel 3:18 is a beautiful picture of the abundance and prosperity that God promises to bring to His people. The mountains dripping with sweet wine and the hills flowing with milk are symbols of the richness and fertility of the land, just like the promise in Exodus 3:8. The spring flowing from the house of the LORD represents the life-giving presence of God, who brings healing and restoration to His people, as seen in Ezekiel 47:1-12. As we read this verse, we can trust that God will provide for our needs and bring life and nourishment to all parts of our lives, just as He promises in Psalm 23:2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean for the mountains to 'drip with sweet wine' in Joel 3:18?

This phrase is a metaphor for the abundance and prosperity that God will bring to His people, as seen in verses like Amos 9:13-14, where the mountains will be fertile and productive, and God's people will live in peace and plenty.

How can the hills 'flow with milk'?

This is a poetic expression of the richness and fertility of the land, similar to the promise in Exodus 3:8, where God promises to bring His people to a land 'flowing with milk and honey', indicating a land of abundance and prosperity.

What is the significance of the spring flowing from the house of the LORD?

The spring flowing from the house of the LORD represents the life-giving presence of God, as seen in Ezekiel 47:1-12, where a river flows from the temple, symbolizing the healing and restoration that God brings to His people.

What is the Valley of Acacias and why is it important?

The Valley of Acacias is likely a reference to a specific location in Judah, and the fact that it will be watered by the spring from the house of the LORD indicates that God will bring life and nourishment to all parts of His people's lives, as promised in Psalm 23:2, where God leads His people to green pastures and still waters.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that God has brought abundance and prosperity into my life, and how can I thank Him for these blessings?
How can I trust God to provide for my needs, just as He promises to provide for the needs of His people in Joel 3:18?
What are some 'dry' areas in my life that need the nourishing presence of God, and how can I ask Him to bring life and restoration to these areas?
How can I share the life-giving presence of God with others, just as the spring flows from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias?

Gill's Exposition on Joel 3:18

And it shall come to pass in that day,.... When antichrist shall be destroyed; the Jews converted; the power of godliness revived, and the presence of God among his people enjoyed.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joel 3:18

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joel 3:18

In that day; when afflictions, amidst which they were preserved, from which delivered, and by which they were purified. The mountains; the vines planted upon the mountains, which were dried up, , shall now be full of juice and fruit. Shall drop down, shall come down as the showers or dew, sweetly and plentifully, new wine; sweet and delicious. The hills shall flow with milk; so fruitful shall the hills be, and keep so many cows, sheep, and goats, that milk shall abound every where, as it were a current that ever runs down. All the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters: in the great drought rivers dried up, now the rivers shall be full of water and ever flow. A fountain: the prophet alludes to those waters which were conveyed from some spring through conduit pipes towards the altar, of which , for the use of the temple, in which water the priests washed what was to be washed. This no doubt is a shadow of the purifying blood of Christ, and his sanctifying Spirit and word. And in that it is said to come from the house of the Lord, it intimateth that these glad tidings, this saving grace, shall be first preached from Jerusalem, and by the church, which is the house of God, shall be published to others. Shall water, refresh, purge, and make fruitful in all holy works, the valley of Shittim; it was a place in the plains of Moab, on the borders of Israel towards the south-east, , not far from the Dead Sea. These spiritual waters shall flow down to the dry and thirsty, the barren and fruitless Gentiles, and make them fruitful.

Trapp's Commentary on Joel 3:18

Joe 3:18 And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.Ver. 18. The mountains shall drop down new wine] By these hyperbolic expressions is promised plenty of all things pertaining to life and godliness, such a golden age as the poet describeth (Ovid. Metam.), “ Flumina iam lactis, iam flumina nectaris ibant, Flavaque de viridi stillabant ilice mella. ” Where it must be observed that spiritualy good things are promised under the notion of temporal, as of must, milk, &c., ob populi infantiam, by reason of the infancy of that people, of that time. The mountains, i.e. the most barren places, shall drop down απονητι, without our labour shall yield plentifully new wine, strong consolations, and Scripture comforts, for strong Christians; and the hills shall flow with milk, that unadulterated sincere milk of God’ s word for his babes, 1 Corinthians 2:2 1 Peter 2:2. And all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters] Sanctuary waters, wholesome doctrines, such as have a healing, cooling, quenching, quickening property in them, Isaiah 44:3. And a fountain shall come forth] viz. Baptism, that laver of regeneration, Titus 3:5; that fountain opened, Zechariah 13:1; that pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, that washeth away sin, Revelation 22:1 Acts 22:16. And shall water the valley of Shittim] That dry valley in the borders of Moab, near to Jordan, and not far from the Dead Sea, Numbers 25:1 Joshua 2:1. Here it was that the Israelites defiled themselves with the daughters of Moab, as Jarchi noteth, but shall be purified and sanctified with the washing of water by the word, Ephesians 5:26. Tarnovius renders the text, Qui irrigabit vallem cedrorum, which shall water the valley of cedars, those choicest trees planted in the paradise of God, Psalms 92:13; for, saith he, as the Tabernacle was built and garnished of old with shittim wood for the most part, Exodus 25:5; Exodus 26:15; Exodus 27:1; Exodus 30:1, so is the spiritual temple with these spiritual cedars.

Ellicott's Commentary on Joel 3:18

(18) The mountains shall drop down new wine.—The material prosperity depicted in these verses symbolises the glorious reign of Jehovah when the last enemy has been destroyed, and “God is all in all.” A fountain shall come forth.—The spiritual fertilising power of the knowledge of the Lord is compared to the life-giving influence of a stream of water, which causes luxuriance to the trees on its banks. This imagery is exemplified by Ezekiel, who traces the course of the waters issuing from under the threshold of the house of the Lord (Ezekiel 47). (Comp. Zechariah 14:8; Revelation 22:1.) The valley of Shittim.—Heb., acacias. Shittim, in the land of Moab, is symbolical of the barrenness and sterility of land where there is no water; of the dry places of the world, where there are trees lacking moisture: the heathen, to whom God is not known, shall yet become covered with the knowledge of the Lord.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joel 3:18

Verse 18. In that day] After their return from their captivities. The mountains shall drop down new wine] A poetic expression for great fertility. Happy times: peace and plenty. The vines shall grow luxuriantly on the sides of the mountains; and the hills shall produce such rich pastures that the flocks shall yield abundance of milk. And all the rivers of Judah] Far from being generally dry in the summer, shall have their channels always full of water. And a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord] See the account of the typical waters in Ezekiel, Ezekiel 47:1-23, to which this seems to have a reference; at least the subject is the same, and seems to point out the grace of the Gospel, the waters of salvation, that shall flow from Jerusalem, and water the valley of Shittim. Shittim was in the plains of Moab beyond Jordan; Numbers 33:49; Joshua 3:1; but as no stream of water could flow from the temple, pass across Jordan, or reach this plain, the valley of Shittim must be considered symbolical, as the valley of Jehoshaphat. But as Shittim may signify thorns, it may figuratively represent the most uncultivated and ferocious inhabitants of the earth receiving the Gospel of Christ, and being civilized and saved by it. We know that briers and thorns are emblems of bad men; see Ezekiel 2:6. Thus all the figures in this verse will point out the happy times of the Gospel: the mountains shall drop down new wine; the hills flow with milk; the thorny valleys become fertile, c. Similar to those almost parallel words of the prince of poets: - Mistaque ridenti colocasia fundet acantho.-- Ipsae lacte domum referent destenta capellae Ubera: nec magnos metuent armenta leones.-- Molli paullatim flavescet campus arista, Incultisque rubens pendebit sentibus uva: Et durae quercus sudabunt roscida mella. VIRG Ecl. iv. 20. Unbidden earth shall wreathing ivy bring, And fragrant herbs the promises of spring. The goats with streaming dugs shall homeward speed And lowing herds, secure from lions, feed. Unlabour'd harvests shall the fields adorn, And cluster'd grapes shall grow on every thorn: The knotted oaks shall showers of honey weep. DRYDEN.

Cambridge Bible on Joel 3:18

18–20. Israel’s final prosperity. After the judgement upon the nations, the land of Judah will be blessed with preternatural fertility, and will enjoy for ever undisturbed peace, while that of her foes will become a desolate waste.

Barnes' Notes on Joel 3:18

And it shall come to pass in that Day - After the destruction of antichrist, there will, it seems, still be a period of probation, in which the grace of God will abound and extend more and more widely.

Whedon's Commentary on Joel 3:18

18-21. After the judgment upon the nations, Judah, under the care and protection of Jehovah, will enjoy the fullness of the divine blessing.

Sermons on Joel 3:18

	Sermon	Description
	Inexhaustible Resources in Christ by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the speaker reflects on their personal journey of faith and acknowledges their own stubbornness. They believe that we are living in the end times and that Satan is
	Christian Growth - Part 6 by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob from the Bible. Jacob had lived his life independently of God, making mistakes and facing the consequences. Eventually, Go
	Resources for Christian Living by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of experiencing a deep and ongoing relationship with God. He warns against becoming complacent or shallow in one's faith and u
	The Holy Spirit & Power for the Ministry by Alan Redpath	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of the miracle of a Spirit-filled life. He refers to the crowd's questions on the day of Pentecost, asking what the events mea
	The River Is Rising by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher shares a powerful testimony of a young man who was on the verge of taking his own life but was saved by a still small voice telling him to go to the ma
	Constantly Failing the Purposes of God by Chuck Smith	This sermon emphasizes the importance of being passionate for righteousness and God, drawing parallels between the failures of the children of Israel in worshiping false gods and t
	The River of Life by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the preacher discusses a vision that the prophet Ezekiel had about a river of life. The preacher emphasizes that this vision is a prophecy for the Church of the lat

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