Bible Strands
Joel 3:21
For I will avenge their blood, which I have not yet avenged.” For the LORD dwells in Zion.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses Judah and Jerusalem immediately after detailing the judgment of the nations in the preceding verses. He pronounces permanent habitation for the land following the completed judicial proceedings.
The words — The verb נִקֵּ֖יתִי (niqēṯî) appears twice, literally meaning “I will leave unpunished” or “I will clear,” forming the basis for the declaration of avenging blood. The participle שֹׁכֵ֥ן (šōḵēn) identifies Yahweh as the one actively dwelling in Zion.
The thread — The motif of God cleansing bloodstains and establishing His presence runs through Isaiah 4:4, where He washes away the filth of Zion, and Ezekiel 36:25, where He promises clean water for purification. This trajectory concludes in Revelation 21:3, which announces the permanent dwelling of God with His people.
Why it lands — The text states that divine vengeance for innocent blood directly precedes and secures God’s permanent residence in Zion. It requires the reader to accept that God’s holy presence is established only after His justice is fully executed.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 4:4 when the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion and cleansed the bloodstains from the heart of Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire.
- Ezekiel 36:25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
- Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
- Ezekiel 36:29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and I will not bring famine upon you.
- Ezekiel 48:35 The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”
- Joel 3:17 Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, My holy mountain. Jerusalem will be holy, never again to be overrun by foreigners.
- Matthew 27:25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!”