Joel 3:14

Decision. Heb. chants, a word with several possible definitions. The context must decide the choice of meaning in any particular instance. The root of chants is charas, which means “to decide,” “to determine,” “to settle,” “to fix.” Chorus may be the passive participle of charas, and hence may mean “decision” in the sense that the fate of the wicked nations is being decided. It should be noted, however, that the “decision” here referred to is that of Jehovah as judge (see on vs. 2, 12), and not that of the people who are being judged. In other words, their probation has already closed. It is now “the day of the Lord” (see on Isa. 13:6). The LXX reads valley of “punishment,” or “vengeance.”

Chants is also an adjective and a noun. As such it may mean “gold” (Ps. 68:13), “moat” (Dan. 9:25), “diligent” (Prov. 10:4), “having a cut” (translated “maimed,” Lev. 22:22), or “threshing instrument” (Job 41:30; Isa. 28:27). Of these definitions only “threshing instrument” fits the context. A number prefer this reading. The picture is then of a valley in which the wicked are being threshed.

The words of the phrase “valley of decision” have frequently been used to describe earth’s multitudes, the destinies of whose souls hang in the balance. Though the words may be borrowed and thus applied, it should be remembered that this is not the primary application of the text, the one intended by Inspiration.