Bible Dictionary
Joel, Book of
The Book of Joel calls Judah to repentance during a devastating locust plague and promises restoration. It also announces the outpouring of God’s Spirit and future judgment, a prophecy applied by Peter at Pentecost.
Definition
The Book of Joel announces a devastating calamity involving drought and an extraordinary plague of locusts, calls Judah to repentance, promises restoration and renewed fruitfulness, and concludes with prophecies concerning the outpouring of God’s Spirit and judgment on his enemies.
Biblical Usage
Joel calls the people to return to God and assures them of his readiness to forgive. Its Messianic prophecy is quoted by Peter, and its final section presents portents and judgment. The book repeatedly refers to Judah and Jerusalem.
Historical Background
Joel was probably a resident of Judah and may have ministered during the reign of Uzziah, about 800 B.C., as a contemporary of Amos and Isaiah. The supplied material describes a national crisis caused by lack of water and locusts.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).