Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!This phrase emphasizes the vast number of people gathered in a significant location. The "valley of decision" is often identified with the Valley of Jehoshaphat, a symbolic place of judgment. The repetition of "multitudes" underscores the enormity and urgency of the situation. In biblical context, this gathering represents nations being brought together for divine judgment. The imagery of a valley suggests a low point or a place where decisions are made, reflecting the gravity of the impending judgment. This scene is reminiscent of other biblical gatherings for judgment, such as in
Revelation 16:16, where nations are gathered at Armageddon.
For the Day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
The "Day of the LORD" is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, signifying a time of God's intervention in human history, often associated with judgment and salvation. The nearness of this day indicates its imminence and the urgency for repentance and readiness. The "valley of decision" here serves as a metaphorical setting for God's final judgment, where decisions are rendered, and destinies are sealed. This concept is echoed in other prophetic books, such asZephaniah 1:14-18, which also speaks of the Day of the LORD as a time of wrath and distress. The phrase calls to mind the ultimate accountability before God, urging individuals and nations to consider their standing before Him.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MultitudesRepresents the vast number of people gathered for judgment. This term emphasizes the enormity of the event and the countless individuals involved.
2.
Valley of DecisionA symbolic location where God will execute judgment. The Hebrew word for "decision" (charuts) can also mean "sharp" or "decisive," indicating the finality and seriousness of the judgment.
3.
Day of the LORDA significant biblical event characterized by God's intervention in human history, often associated with judgment and salvation. It is a recurring theme throughout the prophetic books.
Teaching Points
The Urgency of DecisionThe "valley of decision" underscores the urgency for individuals to choose whom they will serve. In light of the coming Day of the LORD, the time for decision is now.
God's Sovereign JudgmentThe passage reminds us of God's ultimate authority and the certainty of His judgment. It calls believers to live in reverence and readiness.
Call to RepentanceThe impending judgment serves as a call to repentance, urging people to turn from sin and seek God's mercy.
Hope for the FaithfulWhile the Day of the LORD is a day of judgment, it also holds hope for those who are faithful, as it brings the fulfillment of God's promises.
Living with Eternal PerspectiveThis verse encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual matters over temporal concerns.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Joel 3:14?
2.How does Joel 3:14 emphasize the urgency of decision in our lives?
3.What does "valley of decision" symbolize in the context of God's judgment?
4.How can we prepare for the "day of the LORD" mentioned in Joel?
5.What other scriptures highlight the importance of making godly decisions?
6.How can Joel 3:14 inspire us to share the gospel with urgency?
7.What is the significance of the "Valley of Decision" in Joel 3:14?
8.How does Joel 3:14 relate to the concept of divine judgment?
9.What historical events might Joel 3:14 be referencing?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joel 3?
11.What choice will determine the future in the valley?
12.How should we interpret the cosmic signs in Joel 3:15 from a scientific perspective, given no known natural phenomena match this description?
13.What is the significance of Kidron Valley?
14.Why does Isaiah 2:10–22 warn of a “day of the Lord” that would humble humanity, yet historical records do not clearly show a global cataclysm aligning with this prophecy?What Does Joel 3:14 Mean
Multitudes, multitudes“Multitudes, multitudes …” (Joel 3:14a) paints a picture of countless people converging at a single moment in history.
• God is summoning “all the nations” (Joel 3:2) just asRevelation 16:14–16 foresees the kings of the earth gathered for battle.
• The word is doubled to underline urgency, like Jesus’ “Truly, truly” (John 3:3).
• Every person who has ever rejected or ignored God’s offer of salvation will stand here (Matthew 25:32;Revelation 20:12).
• Believers can take heart: our sins were already judged at the cross (Romans 8:1), so this vast crowd depicts the unredeemed rather than the redeemed.
in the valley of decision!“… in the valley of decision!” (Joel 3:14a) identifies the location.
• Earlier Joel called it “the Valley of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:2,12), meaning “Yahweh judges.”
• This is not people deciding for God; it is God deciding about people (Hebrews 9:27).
•Zechariah 14:2–4 shows the same setting, where the Lord descends on the Mount of Olives while nations are judged.
• The scene echoesIsaiah 34:2 where “the LORD is angry with all the nations.”
• Sovereign mercy is still visible: even here God warns beforehand so that any who hear may repent today (2 Peter 3:9).
For the Day of the LORD is near“For the Day of the LORD is near …” (Joel 3:14b) drives home the timing.
• Throughout Joel (1:15; 2:1; 2:31) this “Day” is the climactic intervention of God in human history.
• Nearness means certainty, not necessarily immediacy on our calendar (James 5:8).
• Jesus echoed this nearness when He said, “The time is fulfilled” (Mark 1:15).
• For unbelievers it will be “a day of darkness and gloom” (Joel 2:2); for believers it culminates in the kingdom blessings ofJoel 3:18 andRevelation 11:15.
• Therefore Paul urges, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
in the valley of decision.The verse ends by repeating the location, underscoring finality.
• Just as wheat is separated from chaff (Matthew 3:12), here destinies are fixed forever (Revelation 22:11).
• The repetition acts like a drumbeat: no escape, no postponement, no second chance beyond this point (Luke 16:26).
• Armageddon (Revelation 19:17–21) and the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11–15) both echo the same theme—God’s ultimate, righteous verdict.
• The repetition assures believers that evil will not prevail indefinitely (Psalm 94:23). Justice will be done, openly and irrevocably.
summaryJoel 3:14 captures the awe-filled moment when God assembles untold multitudes to face His righteous judgment. The “valley of decision” is not a place for people to make up their minds but the courtroom where God renders His final verdict. The inevitability and nearness of the Day of the LORD urge unbelievers to repent now and encourage believers to rest in God’s coming justice and everlasting reign.
(14)
Multitudes.--The command has gone forth; it is obeyed; and the prophet stands aghast at the vast multitudes assembling in the valley of decision, the place of judgment.
Verse 14. - This and the following verses, instead of expressly narrating the execution of the Divine command, present a
picture of it. In one part the prophet sees in vision and shows us pictorially the multitudes of the nations pouring on in one continuous stream into the fatal valley. In another compartment of the picture, Jehovah is seen in the awfulness of his majesty and in the fearfulness of his judgments on the wicked, while he is a Refuge and Strength for his people.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision. These multitudes are the tumultuous masses.
Hamon is from the root
הָמָה, to be noisy, or tumultuous. "It is identical," says Pusey, "with our ' hum; ' then noise, and, among others, the hum of a multitude, then a multitude even apart from that noise. It is used of the throng of a large army." The repetition emphasizes the masses as
pits,
pits, equivalent to "nothing but pits;" or
ditches,
ditches, equivalent to "full of ditches;" or it expresses diversity, equivalent to "multitudes of the living and multitudes of the dead."
Decision is
charuts, cut, something decided;
(1) so sharp,severe judgment, fromchafers, to cut into, sharpen, dig.
(2) Others understand it in the sense of athreshing-wain, equivalent tocharuts morag, a sharpened threshing-instrument. All things being now ready, the immediate proximity of the judgment is announced to be at hand.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Multitudes,הֲמוֹנִ֣ים(hă·mō·w·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1995:A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealthmultitudesהֲמוֹנִ֔ים(hă·mō·w·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1995:A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealthin the valleyבְּעֵ֖מֶק(bə·‘ê·meq)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6010:A valeof decision!הֶֽחָר֑וּץ(he·ḥā·rūṣ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2742:Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eagerForכִּ֤י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthe Dayי֣וֹם(yō·wm)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117:A dayof the LORDיְהוָ֔ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelis nearקָרוֹב֙(qā·rō·wḇ)Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7138:Nearin the valleyבְּעֵ֖מֶק(bə·‘ê·meq)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6010:A valeof decision.הֶחָרֽוּץ׃(he·ḥā·rūṣ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2742:Incised, incisive, a trench, gold, a threshing-sledge, determination, eager
Links
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OT Prophets: Joel 3:14 Multitudes multitudes in the valley of decision! (Jl Joe.) 
