Rivers of Judah

The Rivers of Judah appear in Joel 3:18 in the eschatological vision of the restoration of Judah following the final judgment on the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat: "and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim." The Judean highlands are relatively dry, with seasonal wadis (watercourses) that run only in winter rains; the prophetic promise of rivers watering Judah represents the transformation of the landscape in the messianic age. Amos 9:13 similarly promises that the mountains shall drip with sweet wine and the hills shall flow with it. Both prophecies reflect the eschatological renewal of creation and the abundant blessing that characterizes the restored covenant community.