Joel 3:1 (KJV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

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

Joel 3:2 I 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.

Joel 3:3 And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "behold", "days", "time", "shall", "bring", "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 nations and...", 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.