By: Robert Serreyn
Question? What does PLEAD mean in Joel 3:2?
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.
Answer:
In Joel 3:2, the word PLEAD is very misleading.
In our English language we think of it meaning “As begging, or pleading with someone to do something we want them to do; or to stop them from doing something they intended to do, etc.
PLEAD is the Hebrew word SHAPHAT, it is a prime root, and it means: “To pronounce sentence against; avenge; condemn; and execute judgment.”
There is no pleading here, as judgment has already been pronounced and execution and victory will be immediate.
Joel 3:2 would be better translated as…
“I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will pronounce sentence against and execute judgment with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land”.
NOTE: This is why it is VERY IMPORTANT to always consult back to the Hebrew or Greek to find out the meaning of a word or words, It is VERY DANGEROUS to hold to the idea that a Bible Translation or Version is 100 percent accurate “Without Error”.
In fact, MANY, “False Doctrines” have been taught and revered as “So Called” truth all because a word or words were taken at face value rather than being crossed examined and compared back to with a Hebrew or Greek lexicon to make sure that the translation was accurate and true to its original intent.
For example, in Acts 2:38, if we take this verse at face value then “Houston, we have a problem” because this verse states in it’s original translated form TEACHES that “Baptism Saves” which contradicts ALL scriptures dealing with salvation, BUT when you look up the word FOR in the Greek you discover that it is the three letter word “EIS” (pronounced like our English word ICE) and it means “BECAUSE OF” which now makes the verse agree with the likes of John 3:16, Acts 16:31, and Ephesians 2:8,9 etc.BECAUSE the meaning is now “We are baptized BECAUSE OF the remission of sins” not “FOR the remission of sins” turning a false teaching INTO a right teaching and this is just one out of many that could be pointed out.
In Conclusion:
In V12 of Joel Chp.3 the Lord states…
Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.
The word JUDGE is from the same Hebrew word, SHAPHAT used for the word PLEAD in Joel 3:2. In other words, “Judgment has already been determined and their execution is forthcoming”.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.
The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.
-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8
-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24
-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9
“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23
IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH