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Joel 3:21

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Joel 3:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed: for Jehovah dwelleth in Zion.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed: for Jehovah dwelleth in Zion.
Joel 3:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Joel 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18And 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.
19Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.
20But Judah shall abide for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.
21And I will cleanse their blood, that I have not cleansed: for Jehovah dwelleth in Zion.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For I will cleanse their blood [which] I have not cleansed, etc.] Which some understand, as the Targum, of the Lord’s, inflicting further punishments on the, enemies of his people, for shedding their innocent blood; and that he will not expiate their sins, nor hold them guiltless, or suffer them to go unpunished; but rather this is to be interpreted in a way of grace and mercy, as a benefit bestowed on Judah and Jerusalem, who are the immediate antecedents to the relative here; and in the words a reason is given why they should dwell safely and peaceably for ever, because the Lord will justify them from their sins; forgive their iniquities; cleanse them from all their pollution, signified by…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“cleanse . . . blood . . . not cleansed--I will purge away from Judah the extreme guilt (represented by "blood," the shedding of which was the climax of her sin, Isa 1:15) which was for long not purged away, but visited with judgments (Isa 4:4). Messiah saves from guilt, in order to save from punishment (Mat 1:21). Next: Amos Introduction”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For I will cleanse her blood that I have not cleansed - The word rendered “cleansed” is not used of natural cleansing, nor is the image taken from the cleansing of the body. The word signifies only to pronounce innocent, or to free from guilt. Nor is “blood” used of sinfulness generally, but only of the actual guilt of shedding blood. The whole then cannot be an image taken from the cleansing of physical defilement, like the words in the prophet Ezekiel, “then washed I thee with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away thy blood from thee” Ezekiel 16:9. Nor again can it mean the forgiveness of sins generally, but only the pronouncing innocent the blood which had been shed. This, the only meaning…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will cleanse - Purge away both by the spirit of sanctification and by free pardon in the blood of the redeemer. Their blood - Their sinfulness, which before I had not taken away. Next: Amos Chapter 1”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“will: Isa 4:4; Eze 36:25, Eze 36:29; Mat 27:25 for the Lord: or, even I the Lord that, Joe 3:17; Eze 48:35; Rev 21:3 Next: Amos Chapter 1”
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Related study paths

Read Joel 3 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification