Joel 3:2 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

I will—gather all nations, &c.— It is very evident from the phrase at the close of the verse, Who have parted my land, that all is not to be taken in a very extensive sense. It is to be understood of the neighbouring nations;—All the heathen round about, as in Joel 3:12. In this third and last part of his prophesy, Joel relates what will come to pass in those days, and in that time, when the Lord shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem. He apparently describes the great actions of the Maccabees; and that this is the period of time, to which this part of the prophesy relates, is evident from the raising up the children of Judah and of Jerusalem, whom their enemies had sold to the Greeks; Joel 3:7. This return happened under Demetrius. The nations gathered in the valley of Jehoshaphat, which was near to Jerusalem, are the Seleucidae, who were afterwards destroyed in the same valley, which is therefore called The valley decision, or of the threshing.—Tyre and Sidon, and the coasts of Palestine, Joel 3:4 mean the descendants of the ancient enemies of the Jews; who assisted in the destruction and plundering of Jerusalem, and whose posterity were destroyed by the Maccabees. The word יהושׁפט Jehoshaphat signifies, The Lord judges, or the judgment of the Lord. See Joel 3:14. And possibly, says Dr. Chandler, thus translated, the valley of Jehoshaphat may denote no particular place in the country of Judaea, but only some place where God would execute his vengeance on the enemies of the Jews. Houbigant renders the last clause, Because they have scattered them among the nations, and have parted my land. See Chandler, and Sharpe.