Joel, Book of

Joel was probably a resident in Judah, as his commission was to that people. He makes frequent mention of Judah and Jerusalem (1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21).

He probably flourished in the reign of Uzziah (about B.C. 800), and was contemporary with Amos and Isaiah.

The contents of this book are,

(1.) A prophecy of a great public calamity then impending over the land, consisting of a want of water and an extraordinary plague of locusts (1:1-2:11).

(2.) The prophet then calls on his countrymen to repent and to turn to God, assuring them of his readiness to forgive (2:12-17), and foretelling the restoration of the land to its accustomed fruitfulness (18-26).

(3.) Then follows a Messianic prophecy, quoted by Peter (Acts 2:39).

(4.) Finally, the prophet foretells portents and judgments as destined to fall on the enemies of God (ch. 3, but in the Hebrew text 4).

Jehovah is his God.

(1.) The oldest of Samuel's two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba (1 Samuel 8:2). (see VASHNI.)

(2.) A descendant of Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:4, 8).

(3.) One of David's famous warriors (1 Chronicles 11:38).

(4.) A Levite of the family of Gershom (1 Chronicles 15:7, 11).

(5.) 1 Chronicles 7:3.

(6.) 1 Chronicles 27:20.

(7.) The second of the twelve minor prophets. He was the son of Pethuel. His personal history is only known from his book.