Joel 3:16 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

The Lord also shall roar out of Zion - (cf. Ezekiel 38:18-22). The victories of the Jews over their cruel foe, Antiochus, under the Maccabees, may be a reference of this prophecy; but the ultimate reference is to the last Antichrist, of whom Antiochus was the type. Jerusalem being the central seat of the theocracy (Psalms 132:13), it is from thence that Yahweh discomfits the foe.

Roar - as a lion (Jeremiah 25:30; Amos 1:2; Amos 3:8). Compare as to Yahweh's voice thundering, Psalms 18:13; Habakkuk 3:10-11.

But the Lord will be the hope of his people - or, their refuge, as the same Hebrew х machªceh (H4268)] is translated (Psalms 46:1, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble").

Joel 3:16

16 The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hopee of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.