JOEL

One of the minor prophets, of whom nothing is known beyond the few hints furnished in his brief but valuable prophecy. He lived in the kingdom of Judah, and at a time when the temple and temple-worship still existed, Joe 1:14 2:1,15,32 3:1. Different authors assign to his prophecy different dates, but the prevailing opinion is that he prophesied in the reign of Uzziah, nearly 800 B. C. The BOOK of JOEL opens with a most graphic and powerful description of the devastation caused by swarms of divers kinds of locusts, accompanied by a terrible drought. The plague of locusts, one of the most dreadful scourges of the East, (see LOCUSTS,) is highly suggestive of an invasion of hostile legions such as have often ravaged Judea; and many have understood, by the locusts of Joel, the Chaldeans, Persians, Greeks, or Romans. The prophet, however, adheres to his figure, if it be one; depicts the land as stripped of its verdure and parched with drought, summons the stricken people to fasting and penitence, and encourages them by promising the removal of the divine judgments and the return of fertility. While describing this returning plenty and prosperity, the prophet casts his view forward on a future still more remote, and predicts the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the signs and wonders and spiritual prosperity of the Messiah’s reign, Joe 2:28. This passage is quoted by the apostle Peter in Ac 2:16. The style of Joel is exceedingly poetical and elegant; his descriptions are vivid and sublime, and his prophecy ranks among the gems of Hebrew poetry. It is well fitted to cheer the church militant in all ages.

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Joel. Joel
Jehovah is his God. (1.) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba (1 Sam. 8:2). (See VASHNI.) (2.) A descendant of Reuben (1 Chr. 5:4,8). (3.) One of David’s famous warriors (1 Chr. 11:38). (4.) A Levite of the family of Gershom (1 Chr. 15:7, 11). (5.) 1 Chr. 7:3. (6.) 1 Chr. 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.

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Joel. he that wills or commands

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JOEL. 1. Son of Samuel 1Sa 8:2; 1Ch 6:33; 15:17
* Called VASHNI 1Ch 6:28

2. A Simeonite 1Ch 4:35 3. A Reubenite 1Ch 5:4,8 4. A Gadite 1Ch 5:12 5. A Kohathite Levite 1Ch 6:36 6. Descendant of Issachar 1Ch 7:3 7. One of David's valiant men 1Ch 11:38
* Called IGAL, son of Nathan 2Sa 23:36

8. Name of two Gershonites 1Ch 15:7,11; 23:8; 26:22 9. Prince of Manasseh 1Ch 27:20 → 10. A Kohathite who assisted in the cleansing of the temple 2Ch 29:12 → 11. One of Nebo's family Ezr 10:43 → 12. Son of Zichri Ne 11:9 → 13. One of the twelve minor prophets, probably lived in the days of Uzziah Joe 1:1; Ac 2:16
* Declares the terribleness of God's judgments Joe 1; 2:1-11
* Denounces judgments against the enemies of God Joe 3:1-17
* Sets forth the blessings of the church Joe 3:18-21

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a prophet, son of Pethuel SEE Book of Joel