Joel 3:14

 Joel 3:14

Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

a. ASV: Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision. [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: Multitudes, multitudes are in the valley of decision, For near is the day of Jehovah in the valley of decision. [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified: Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.  [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. NLT: Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.

There the day of the LORD will soon arrive.  [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

e. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/ Writings:[All of the 21 verses Joel 3 in our Bible is Joel 4 in the Jewish Bible]: Multitudes upon multitudes [will fall] in the Valley of the [Final] Decision, for the day of HASHEM is near in the Valley of the [Final] Decision  [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ldt.]

f. The Israel Bible:[All of the 21 verses Joel 3 in our Bible is Joel 4 in the Jewish Bible]: Multitudes upon multitudes In the valley of Decision! For the day of Hashem is at hand In the Valley of Decision.  [The English Translation was adapted by Israel 365 from the JPS Tanakh. Copyright Ⓒ 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.]

1. “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision…”

a. Multitudes [Strong: 1995 hamown haw-mone' or hamon (Ezek. 5:7) {haw-mone'}; from 1993; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth:--abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult.]

b. multitudes [Strong: 1995 hamown haw-mone' or hamon (Ezek. 5:7) {haw-mone'}; from 1993; a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth:--abundance, company, many, multitude, multiply, noise, riches, rumbling, sounding, store, tumult.]

c. [in the] valley [Strong: 6010 `emeq ay'-mek from 6009; a vale (i.e. broad depression):--dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names).]

d. [of] decision [Strong: 2742 charuwts khaw-roots' or charuts {khaw-roots'}; passive participle of 2782; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager:--decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.]

2. “...for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

a. for [Strong: 3588 kiy kee a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed:--and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-)as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al- )though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.]

b. [the] day [Strong: 3117 yowm yome from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, + chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.]

c. [of the] LORD [Strong: 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.]

d. [is] near [Strong: 7138 qarowb kaw-robe' or qarob {kaw-robe'}; from 7126; near (in place, kindred or time):--allied, approach, at hand, + any of kin, kinsfold(-sman), (that is) near (of kin), neighbour, (that is) next, (them that come) nigh (at hand), more ready, short(-ly).]

e. [in the] valley [Strong: 6010 `emeq ay'-mek from 6009; a vale (i.e. broad depression):--dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names).]

d. [of] decision [Strong: 2742 charuwts khaw-roots' or charuts {khaw-roots'}; passive participle of 2782; properly, incised or (active) incisive; hence (as noun masculine or feminine) a trench (as dug), gold (as mined), a threshing-sledge (having sharp teeth); (figuratively) determination; also eager:--decision, diligent, (fine) gold, pointed things, sharp, threshing instrument, wall.]

1). Bob Yandian, Joel, The Outpouring of God’s Glory: At the end of the seven years, the saints will return to earth with the LORD at the time of the Battle of Armageddon. It is this time that Joel is referring to here in Joel 3:2 when he says that the Lord will draw all the nations of earth together in the Valley of Judgment. This particular judgment of the Lord will consist of three separate judgments. “I will…plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.” The first of the three judgments will be of the armies which have come up against Israel. The Lord is actually going to usher them into that valley and give them an opportunity to accept Him. He will “plead” for His nation Israel, but the armies will not heed Him so after that time judgment will be declared against them.” 

2). Don’t know how I feel about that view. I have linked Joel 3:2 with Isaiah 66:16 where Scripture says : “For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.” But the addition of the Valley of Decision here in Joel 3:14 is interesting. Many times in Scripture especially in the last days or in the light of impending judgment. God will go the extra mile and plead with people not to continue in evil. I am reminded of the incidents where angels of God fly over the earth exhorting people to worship the one true God and warn people on the earth not to take the mark of the beast (Revelation 14:6-11). I am also reminded of the incident during the plague of hail and fire on Egypt when God through Moses, warned Pharaoh and his people to bring their cattle indoors to avoid their destruction (Exodus 9:13-25).