Joel 3:1 (DBY)

Passage

For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall turn again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

Nearby Context

Joel 3:1 For behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall turn again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

Joel 3:2 I will also gather all the nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of my people and mine inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations: and they have parted my land;

Joel 3:3 and they have cast lots for my people, and have given a boy for a harlot, and sold a girl for wine, and have drunk [it].

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "behold", "days", "time", "shall", "turn", "again", "captivity", and "judah". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "behold" and "days", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The next verse adds "I will also gather all the nations...", so "behold" and "days" should be read forward into that movement. In Joel context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "behold" and "days" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.