Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
Parallel translations
- WEB Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of Yahweh is near, in the valley of decision.
- BSB Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
- NKJV Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
- NASB Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
- NLT Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision. There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Multitudes gather in the valley of decision as the day of Yahweh draws near. The crowds stand at the threshold of God's decisive judgment.
Overview
Joel beholds vast throngs in the 'valley of decision,' a name stressing the verdict God is about to render. The repeated 'multitudes' conveys the enormous scope of the judgment as the day of Yahweh approaches. This scene of nations awaiting God's sentence underscores the certainty and gravity of final judgment, pressing all to find refuge in the Lord.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Joel 3:2I 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.
- Isa 34:2–8For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and his fury upon all their armies: he hath utterly destroyed them, he hath delivered them to the slaughter.
- Rev 16:14–16For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
- Phil 3:2Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
- Joel 1:15Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
- 2 Pet 3:7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
- Rev 19:19–21And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.
- Joel 2:1Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;
- Isa 63:1–7Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
- Ezek 38:8–23After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.
- Ezek 39:8–20Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord GOD; this is the day whereof I have spoken.
- Ps 37:13The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The promised outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh and the call to 'everyone who calls on the name of the LORD' are fulfilled at Pentecost in the name of Jesus.
How Joel 3:14 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.