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	{{Tanakh OT\|Nevi'im\|prophetic}}		{{Tanakh OT\|Nevi'im\|prophetic}}

	The '''Book of Joel''' is a ] prophetic text containing a series of "divine announcements". The first line ~~attributed~~ authorship to "Joel the son of Pethuel".<ref>Keller, C. A., ''28. Joel'', in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), , p. 578</ref> It forms part of the Book of the ] or the ] ("Prophets") in the ], and is a book in its own right in the Christian ]. ] is ~~not~~ ~~mentioned~~ ~~elsewhere~~ in ~~either~~ ~~collection~~.		The '''Book of Joel''' (]:'''ספר יוֹאֵל''') is a ] prophetic text containing a series of "divine announcements". The first line attributes authorship to "Joel the son of Pethuel".<ref>Keller, C. A., ''28. Joel'', in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122193211/http://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43 \|date=2017-11-22 }}, p. 578</ref> It forms part of the Book of the ] or the ] ("Prophets") in the ], and is a book in its own right in the Christian ]. In the New Testament, his prophecy of the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit upon all people was notably quoted by ] in his ] sermon.

	== Surviving early manuscripts ==		== Surviving early manuscripts ==
	{{hatnote\|(This section uses English/Greek chapter numbering.)}}		{{hatnote\|(This section uses English/Greek chapter numbering.)}}
	] (1008 CE) contains the complete copy of ] in ].]]		] (1008 CE) contains the complete copy of Book of Joel in ].]]
	The original text was written in ].		The original text was written in Hebrew language.

	Some early manuscripts containing the text of this book in ] are of the ] tradition, which includes the ] (895 CE), ] (916), ] (10th century), ] (1008).{{sfn\|Würthwein\|1995\|pp=35–37}} Fragments containing parts of this book in Hebrew were found among the ], including 4Q78 (4QXII<sup>c</sup>; 75–50 BCE) with extant verses 1:10–20, 2:1, 2:8–23, and 3:6–21;{{sfn\|Ulrich\|2010\|p=598}}<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh></ref>{{sfn\|Fitzmyer\|2008\|p=38}}<ref></ref> and 4Q82 (4QXII<sup>g</sup>; 25 BCE) with extant verses 1:12–14, 2:2–13, 3:4–9, 3:11–14, 3:17, 3:19–2;{{sfn\|Ulrich\|2010\|p=598}}<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh/>{{sfn\|Fitzmyer\|2008\|p=39}}<ref></ref> Schøyen MS 4612/1 (DSS F.117; DSS F.Joel1; 50–68 CE) with extant verses 3:1–4);<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh/><ref>. Schøyen Collection. Accessed February 5, 2020.</ref> and ] Minor Prophets (Mur88; MurXIIProph; 75–100 CE) with extant verses 2:20, 2:26–27, 2:28–32, and 3:1–16.<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh/>{{sfn\|Fitzmyer\|2008\|pp=140–141}}		Some early manuscripts containing the text of this book in ] are of the ] tradition, which includes the ] (895 CE), ] (916), ] (10th century), ] (1008).{{sfn\|Würthwein\|1995\|pp=35–37}} Fragments containing parts of this book in Hebrew were found among the ], including 4Q78 (4QXII<sup>c</sup>; 75–50 BCE) with extant verses 1:10–20, 2:1, 2:8–23, and 3:6–21;{{sfn\|Ulrich\|2010\|p=598}}<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh></ref>{{sfn\|Fitzmyer\|2008\|p=38}}<ref></ref> and 4Q82 (4QXII<sup>g</sup>; 25 BCE) with extant verses 1:12–14, 2:2–13, 3:4–9, 3:11–14, 3:17, 3:19–2;{{sfn\|Ulrich\|2010\|p=598}}<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh/>{{sfn\|Fitzmyer\|2008\|p=39}}<ref></ref> Schøyen MS 4612/1 (DSS F.117; DSS F.Joel1; 50–68 CE) with extant verses 3:1–4);<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh/><ref>. Schøyen Collection. Accessed February 5, 2020.</ref> and ] Minor Prophets (Mur88; MurXIIProph; 75–100 CE) with extant verses 2:20, 2:26–27, 2:28–32, and 3:1–16.<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh/>{{sfn\|Fitzmyer\|2008\|pp=140–141}}
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	{{further\|Chapters and verses of the Bible}}		{{further\|Chapters and verses of the Bible}}
	] translation in a French manuscript of the 13th century]]		] translation in a French manuscript of the 13th century]]
	The Book of Joel's division into chapters and verses differs widely between editions of the Bible; some editions have three chapters, others four.<ref name="oyc">{{cite web \|first=Christine \|last=Hayes \|author-link=Christine Hayes \|year=2006 \|url=http://oyc.yale.edu/religious-studies/rlst-145/lecture-23 \|website=] \|publisher=] \|title=Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) – Lecture 23 – Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature}}</ref> Translations with four chapters include the ]'s version of the Hebrew Bible (1917),<ref>{{cite web\| url= http://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et1404.htm \|title= Joel 4 – JPS Version\| via= mechon-mamre.org\| date= \| access-date= }}</ref> the ] (1966), ] (Revised Edition, 1970), ] (1998), and ] (2015)<ref>{{cite web\| website= ]\| url= https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Joel%204:1 \|title= Joel 4:1\| publisher=Zondervan Corporation \| date= \| access-date=28 March 2023}}</ref>		The Book of Joel's division into chapters and verses differs widely between editions of the Bible; some editions have three chapters, others four.<ref name="oyc">{{cite web \|first=Christine \|last=Hayes \|author-link=Christine Hayes \|year=2006 \|url=http://oyc.yale.edu/religious-studies/rlst-145/lecture-23 \|website=] \|publisher=] \|title=Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) – Lecture 23 – Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature}}</ref> Translations with four chapters include the ]'s version of the Hebrew Bible (1917),<ref>{{cite web\| url= http://www.mechon-mamre.org/e/et/et1404.htm \|title= Joel 4 – JPS Version\| via= mechon-mamre.org\| date= \| access-date= }}</ref> the ] (1966), ] (Revised Edition, 1970), ] (1998), and ] (2015).<ref>{{cite web\| website= ]\| url= https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Joel%204:1 \|title= Joel 4:1\| publisher=Zondervan Corporation \| date= \| access-date=28 March 2023}}</ref>

	In the 1611 ], the Book of Joel is formed by three chapters: the second one has 32 verses, and it is equivalent to the union of the chapter 2 (with 26 verses) and chapter 3 (with 5 verses) of other editions of the Bible.<ref>{{cite ~~book~~ \| url = https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ioel_2_1611/ \| title = 1611 King James Bible. book of ~~Joele~~ \| language = en \| website = ~~kingjamesbibleonline.org~~ \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130209125407/https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ioel_2_1611/ \| archive-date = February 9, 2013 \| url-status = live \| access-date = February 23, 2019 }}</ref>		In the 1611 ], the Book of Joel is formed by three chapters: the second one has 32 verses, and it is equivalent to the union of the chapter 2 (with 26 verses) and chapter 3 (with 5 verses) of other editions of the Bible.<ref>{{cite web \| url = https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ioel_2_1611/ \| title = 1611 King James Bible. book of Joel \| language = en \| website = King James Bible Online \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130209125407/https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Ioel_2_1611/ \| archive-date = February 9, 2013 \| url-status = live \| access-date = February 23, 2019 }}</ref>

	The differences of the divisions are as follows:<ref>{{cite book \| title = The Cambridge Companion to the Bible \| last1 = Kee \|first1 = Howard Clark \| first2 = Eric M. \| last2 = Meyers\| first3 = John \|last3 = Rogerson \| first4 = Amy-Jill \|last4 = Levine \| first5 = Anthony J. \| last5 = Saldarini \| editor-first = Bruce \| editor-last= Chilton \| edition=2, revised \| publisher = Cambridge University Press \| year = 2008		The differences of the divisions are as follows:<ref>{{cite book \| title = The Cambridge Companion to the Bible \| last1 = Kee \|first1 = Howard Clark \| first2 = Eric M. \| last2 = Meyers\| first3 = John \|last3 = Rogerson \| first4 = Amy-Jill \|last4 = Levine \| first5 = Anthony J. \| last5 = Saldarini \| editor-first = Bruce \| editor-last= Chilton \| edition=2, revised \| publisher = Cambridge University Press \| year = 2008
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	== ~~Historical context~~ ==		== Date ==
	As there are no explicit references in the book to datable persons or events, scholars have assigned a wide range of dates to the book. The main positions are:		As there are no explicit references in the book to datable persons or events, scholars have assigned a wide range of dates to the book. The main positions are:
	* Ninth century BC, particularly in the reign of ] – a position especially popular among nineteenth-century scholars (making Joel one of the earliest ]). The enemies mentioned – Philistines, Phoenicians, Egypt and Edom – are consistent with this date.<ref NAME="ZIBD"/> The lack of mention of the Assyrians or Babylonians, who were the main enemies of Judah during the eighth, seventh and sixth centuries, leads many conservative scholars to suggest the choice is between this date, and a fourth century date.<ref name="ZIBD">''Joel'', ] Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Revising Editor ], 2011</ref>		* Ninth century BC, particularly in the reign of ] – a position especially popular among nineteenth-century scholars (making Joel one of the earliest ]). The enemies mentioned – Philistines, Phoenicians, Egypt and Edom – are consistent with this date.<ref NAME="ZIBD"/> The lack of mention of the Assyrians or Babylonians, who were the main enemies of Judah during the eighth, seventh and sixth centuries, leads many conservative scholars to suggest the choice is between this date, and a fourth century date.<ref name="ZIBD">''Joel'', ] Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Revising Editor ], 2011</ref>
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	* c. 520–500 BC, contemporary with the return of the exiles and the careers of ] and ].		* c. 520–500 BC, contemporary with the return of the exiles and the careers of ] and ].
	* The decades around 400 BC, during the ] period (making him one of the latest writing prophets), or around 350 BC. This is supported by the apparent mention of the ] as a past event in 3:1 and 3:17, and the mention of ] in 3:6.<ref name="ZIBD"/>		* The decades around 400 BC, during the ] period (making him one of the latest writing prophets), or around 350 BC. This is supported by the apparent mention of the ] as a past event in 3:1 and 3:17, and the mention of ] in 3:6.<ref name="ZIBD"/>
			* Some scholars argue that further additions to Joel took place during the ] period (c. 301-201 BCE) due to its use of earlier texts and what they perceive to be a "late" perspective on Yahweh and the nations.<ref>“Joel.” Hagedorn, Anselm C. The Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets. Edited by Julia M. O'Brien. pp. 411–423. “The book's engagement with earlier texts ( especially those relating to the ‘Day of Yahweh’) attests to its late origin, and its ending reflects late theological thinking about the relationship between Israel and the nations, portraying Yahweh as the ruler of the whole world…These theological debates point to a very late origin of Joel 2:28-3:21 . The universal judgment of the nations probably belongs to discourse of the late Persian period (Steck 1996), while the vision of Joel 2:28-32 may best be understood during the relative peace of Ptolemaic times.”</ref>

	Evidence produced for these positions includes allusions in the book to the wider world, similarities with other prophets, and linguistic details. Some commentators, such as ], attach no great importance to the precise dating.		Evidence produced for these positions includes allusions in the book to the wider world, similarities with other prophets, and linguistic details. Some commentators, such as ], attach no great importance to the precise dating.
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	== History of interpretation ==		== History of interpretation ==
	])]]		])]]
	The ] places Joel between ] and ] (the order inherited by the Tanakh and Old Testament), while the ] order is Hosea–Amos–]–Joel–]–]. The Hebrew text of Joel seems to have suffered little from ], but is at a few points supplemented by the Septuagint, ], and ] versions, or by ].<ref>Allen 36</ref> While the book purports to describe a plague of locusts, some ancient Jewish opinion saw the locusts as ] interpretations of Israel's enemies.<ref>] at 2:25; also margin of ] manuscript Q, mid-6th century AD</ref> This allegorical interpretation was applied to the church by many ]. Calvin took a literal interpretation of chapter 1, but allegorical view of chapter 2, a position echoed by some modern interpreters. Most modern interpreters, however, see Joel speaking of a literal locust plague given a prophetic/ ] interpretation.<ref>See Allen 29–31</ref>		The ] places Joel between ] and ] (the order inherited by the Tanakh and Old Testament), while the ] order is Hosea–Amos–]–Joel–]–]. The Hebrew text of Joel seems to have suffered little from ], but is at a few points supplemented by the Septuagint, ], and ] versions, or by ].<ref>Allen 36</ref> While the book purports to describe a plague of locusts, some ancient Jewish opinion saw the locusts as ] interpretations of Israel's enemies.<ref>] at 2:25; also margin of ] manuscript Q, mid-6th century AD</ref> This allegorical interpretation was applied to the church by many ]. Calvin took a literal interpretation of chapter 1, but allegorical view of chapter 2, a position echoed by some modern interpreters. Most modern interpreters, however, see Joel speaking of a literal locust plague given a prophetic or ] interpretation.<ref>See Allen 29–31</ref>

	The traditional ascription of the whole book to the prophet Joel was challenged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by a theory of a three-stage process of composition: 1:1–2:27 were from the hand of Joel, and dealt with a contemporary issue; 2:28–3:21/3:1–4:21 were ascribed to a continuator with an apocalyptic outlook. Mentions in the first half of the book to the ] were also ascribed to this continuator. 3:4–8/4:4–8 could be seen as even later. Details of exact ascriptions differed between scholars.		The traditional ascription of the whole book to the prophet Joel was challenged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by a theory of a three-stage process of composition: 1:1–2:27 were from the hand of Joel, and dealt with a contemporary issue; 2:28–3:21/3:1–4:21 were ascribed to a continuator with an apocalyptic outlook. Mentions in the first half of the book to the ] were also ascribed to this continuator. 3:4–8/4:4–8 could be seen as even later. Details of exact ascriptions differed between scholars.
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	In the ], his prophecy of the outpouring of God's ] upon all people was notably quoted by ] in his ] sermon.<ref>{{bibleref\|Acts\|2\|NIV}}</ref>		In the ], his prophecy of the outpouring of God's ] upon all people was notably quoted by ] in his ] sermon.<ref>{{bibleref\|Acts\|2\|NIV}}</ref>

	Joel 3:10 / 4:10 is a variation of Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3's prophecy, "They will beat their ] and their spears into pruning hooks.",<ref>Isaiah 2:4</ref> instead commanding, "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears."<ref>Joel 3:10</ref>		Joel 3:10 / 4:10 is a variation of Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3's prophecy, "They will beat their ] and their spears into pruning hooks",<ref>Isaiah 2:4</ref> instead commanding, "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears."<ref>Joel 3:10</ref>

	The table below represents some of the more explicit quotes and allusions between specific passages in Joel and passages from the Old and New Testaments.		The table below represents some of the more explicit quotes and allusions between specific passages in Joel and passages from the Old and New Testaments.
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			==Liturgical usage==
	==Other references==
	] (''Lament like a virgin''), the third ], is loosely based on verses from the Book of Joel: the title comes from Joel 1:8.<ref>{{bibleverse\|\|Joel\|1:8\|~~NKJV~~}}</ref>		] (''Lament like a virgin''), the third ], is loosely based on verses from the Book of Joel: the title comes from Joel 1:8.<ref>{{bibleverse\|\|Joel\|1:8\|VULGATE}}: ] translation</ref>

	==Language in specific verses==
	{{cleanup\|reason=Most of this section seems like linguistic trivia which is unimportant compared to the overall summary and theological interpretations. It should probably be dropped from the article. \|date=April 2023}}

	===Chapter 1, Verse 1===
	:''The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.''<ref>{{bibleref2\|Joel\|1:1\|NKJV}}: ]</ref>
	The name "Joel" means "one to whom Jehovah is God", that is, a "worshipper of Jehovah". The prophet seems to have belonged to Judah: no reference is made to Israel, whereas he speaks of ], the temple, the priests, and the ceremonies, as if he were intimately familiar with them (compare {{bibleref2\|Joel\|1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 2, 6, 16, 17, 20, 21\|NKJV}}).<ref name=jfb>Jamieson, Robert; Fausset, Andrew Robert; Brown, David. '']''. . 1871.</ref>{{POV inline\|date=April 2023}}

	Pethuel is rendered as Βαθουηλ (Bathuel) in the Septuagint.<ref>, accessed 28 March 2023</ref>

	===Chapter 1, Verse 4===
	{{Quote\|<poem>''What the chewing locust left, the swarming locust has eaten;''
	:''What the swarming locust left, the crawling locust has eaten;''
	::''And what the crawling locust left, the consuming locust has eaten''.<ref>{{bibleref2\|Joel\|1:4\|NKJV}}: NKJV</ref></poem>}}

	Hebrew text
	{{Quote\|יתר הגזם אכל הארבה ויתר הארבה אכל הילק ויתר הילק אכל החסיל׃}}

	Transliteration
	{{Quote\|<poem>ye·ṯer ha·gā·zām ’ā·ḵal hā·’ar·beh,
	: wə·ye·ṯer hā·’ar·beh ’ā·ḵal ha·yā·leq,
	:: wə·ye·ṯer ha·ye·leq ’ā·ḵal he·khā·sîl.</poem>}}

	The "accumulation of terms" used for these ]s, also mentioned in ], "creates the certainty of total devastation",{{sfn\|Keller\|2007\|p=579}} although their exact identity is unknown. Carl-A. Keller suggests that they may represent "four varieties of ]s" or four stages in the development of one insect, or they may indicate "] differences".{{sfn\|Keller\|2007\|p=579}}
	{\| class="wikitable"
	!Hebrew; transliteration!!English!! Appearance in Hebrew Bible!!Other Bible verses
	\|-
	\| <big>גזם</big>, ''gā·zām'' \|\| chewing locust; gnawing locust; palmerworm; caterpillar \|\| 3 \|\| <small>]; {{bibleref2\|Amos\|4:9\|NKJV}}</small>
	\|-
	\| <big>ארבה</big>, ''’ar·beh'' \|\| swarming locust; locusts; grasshoppers \|\|24 \|\|<small>{{bibleref2\|Exodus\|10:4, 12–14, 19\|NKJV}}; {{bibleref2\|Leviticus\|11:22}}; {{bibleref2\|Deuteronomy\|28:38}}; {{bibleref2\|Judges\|6:5; 7:12}}; {{bibleref2\|1 Kings\|8:37}}; {{bibleref2\|2 Chronicles\|6:28}};{{bibleref2\|Job\|39:20}}; {{bibleref2\|Psalm\|78:46; 105:34; 109:23}}; {{bibleref2\|Proverb\|30:27}}; {{bibleref2\|Jeremiah\|46:23}}; ]; {{bibleref2\|Nahum\|3:15, 17}}</small>
	\|-
	\| <big>ילק</big>, ''yā·leq'' \|\| crawling locust; creeping locust ; locusts; young locusts; cankerworm \|\| 9 \|\|<small>{{bibleref2\|Psalm\|105:34}}; {{bibleref2\|Jeremiah\|51:14, 27}};<br>]; {{bibleref2\|Nahum\|3:15, 16}}</small>
	\|-
	\| <big>חסיל</big>, ''khā·sîl'' \|\| consuming locust; stripping locust; caterpillar; grasshopper \|\| 6 \|\|<small>{{bibleref2\|1 Kings\|8:37}}; {{bibleref2\|2 Chronicles\|6:28}}; {{bibleref2\|Psalm\|78:46}};<br>{{bibleref2\|Isaiah\|33:4}}; ]</small>
	\|}

	==See also==		==See also==
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	===Works cited===		===Works cited===
	* {{Cite book \|last=Fitzmyer \|first=Joseph A. \|author-link=Joseph Fitzmyer \|title=A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature \|publisher=William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TILXeWJ2eNAC \|year=2008 \|isbn=978-0802862419 \|location=Grand Rapids, MI}}		* {{Cite book \|last=Fitzmyer \|first=Joseph A. \|author-link=Joseph Fitzmyer \|title=A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature \|publisher=William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TILXeWJ2eNAC \|year=2008 \|isbn=978-0802862419 \|location=Grand Rapids, MI}}
			* {{cite book \|last=Keller \|first=Carl-A. \|chapter=28. Joel \|title=The Oxford Bible Commentary \|editor-first1=John \|editor-last1=Barton \|editor-first2=John \|editor-last2=Muddiman \|publisher=Oxford University Press \|edition=first (paperback) \|date=2007 \|pages=578–581 \|isbn=978-0199277186 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ \|access-date=February 6, 2019}}
	* {{Cite book \|editor-last=Ulrich \|editor-first=Eugene \|editor-link=Eugene Ulrich \|title=The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants \|year=2010 \|publisher=Brill \|url=https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls}}		* {{Cite book \|editor-last=Ulrich \|editor-first=Eugene \|editor-link=Eugene Ulrich \|title=The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants \|year=2010 \|publisher=Brill \|url=https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls}}
	* {{cite book \|last=Würthwein \|first=Ernst \|author-link=Ernst Würthwein \|title=The Text of the Old Testament \|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans \|location=Grand Rapids, MI \|year=1995 \|translator-first1=Erroll F. \|translator-last1=Rhodes \|isbn=0-8028-0788-7 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC \|access-date=January 26, 2019}}		* {{cite book \|last=Würthwein \|first=Ernst \|author-link=Ernst Würthwein \|title=The Text of the Old Testament \|publisher=Wm. B. Eerdmans \|location=Grand Rapids, MI \|year=1995 \|translator-first1=Erroll F. \|translator-last1=Rhodes \|isbn=0-8028-0788-7 \|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC \|access-date=January 26, 2019}}
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	]		]
	]		]
	]		]

Latest revision as of 09:32, 18 December 2024

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The Book of Joel (Hebrew:ספר יוֹאֵל) is a Jewish prophetic text containing a series of "divine announcements". The first line attributes authorship to "Joel the son of Pethuel". It forms part of the Book of the twelve minor prophets or the Nevi'im ("Prophets") in the Hebrew Bible, and is a book in its own right in the Christian Old Testament. In the New Testament, his prophecy of the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit upon all people was notably quoted by Saint Peter in his Pentecost sermon.

Surviving early manuscripts

(This section uses English/Greek chapter numbering.)

Leningrad Codex (1008 CE) contains the complete copy of Book of Joel in Hebrew.

The original text was written in Hebrew language.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this book in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text tradition, which includes the Codex Cairensis (895 CE), the Petersburg Codex of the Prophets (916), Aleppo Codex (10th century), Codex Leningradensis (1008). Fragments containing parts of this book in Hebrew were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, including 4Q78 (4QXII; 75–50 BCE) with extant verses 1:10–20, 2:1, 2:8–23, and 3:6–21; and 4Q82 (4QXII; 25 BCE) with extant verses 1:12–14, 2:2–13, 3:4–9, 3:11–14, 3:17, 3:19–2; Schøyen MS 4612/1 (DSS F.117; DSS F.Joel1; 50–68 CE) with extant verses 3:1–4); and Wadi Murabba'at Minor Prophets (Mur88; MurXIIProph; 75–100 CE) with extant verses 2:20, 2:26–27, 2:28–32, and 3:1–16.

Ancient manuscripts in Koine Greek containing this book are mainly of the Septuagint version, including Codex Vaticanus (B; ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ; 4th century), Codex Alexandrinus (A; ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ; 5th century) and Codex Marchalianus (Q; ${\mathfrak {G}}$ ; 6th century).

Content

After the initial attribution, the book may be broken down into the following sections:

Lament over a great locust plague and a severe drought (1:1–2:17).
- The effects of these events on agriculture, farmers, and on the supply of agricultural offerings for the Temple in Jerusalem, interspersed with a call to national lament (1:1–20).
- A more apocalyptic passage comparing the locusts to an army, and revealing that they are God's army (2:1–11).
- A call to national repentance in the face of God's judgment (2:12–17).
Promise of future blessings (2:18–32 or 2:18–3:5).
- Banishment of the locusts and restoration of agricultural productivity as a divine response to national penitence (2:18–27).
- Future prophetic gifts to all of God's people, and the safety of God's people in the face of cosmic cataclysm (2:28–32 or 3:1–5).
Coming judgment on the Kingdom of Judah's enemies: the Philistines, the Kingdom of Edom, and the Kingdom of Egypt (3:1–21 or 4:1–21).

Chapters

Further information: Chapters and verses of the Bible

The Book of Joel's division into chapters and verses differs widely between editions of the Bible; some editions have three chapters, others four. Translations with four chapters include the Jewish Publication Society's version of the Hebrew Bible (1917), the Jerusalem Bible (1966), New American Bible (Revised Edition, 1970), Complete Jewish Bible (1998), and Tree of Life Version (2015).

In the 1611 King James Bible, the Book of Joel is formed by three chapters: the second one has 32 verses, and it is equivalent to the union of the chapter 2 (with 26 verses) and chapter 3 (with 5 verses) of other editions of the Bible.

The differences of the divisions are as follows:

English/Greek	Hebrew
Joel 1	Joel 1
Joel 2:1–27	Joel 2
Joel 2:28–32	Joel 3
Joel 3	Joel 4

Date

As there are no explicit references in the book to datable persons or events, scholars have assigned a wide range of dates to the book. The main positions are:

Ninth century BC, particularly in the reign of Joash – a position especially popular among nineteenth-century scholars (making Joel one of the earliest writing prophets). The enemies mentioned – Philistines, Phoenicians, Egypt and Edom – are consistent with this date. The lack of mention of the Assyrians or Babylonians, who were the main enemies of Judah during the eighth, seventh and sixth centuries, leads many conservative scholars to suggest the choice is between this date, and a fourth century date.
Early eighth century BC, during the reign of Uzziah (contemporary with Hosea, Amos, and Jonah)
c. 630–587 BC, in the last decades of the kingdom of Judah (contemporary with Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Habakkuk)
c. 520–500 BC, contemporary with the return of the exiles and the careers of Zechariah and Haggai.
The decades around 400 BC, during the Persian period (making him one of the latest writing prophets), or around 350 BC. This is supported by the apparent mention of the 587 BC destruction of Jerusalem as a past event in 3:1 and 3:17, and the mention of Greeks in 3:6.
Some scholars argue that further additions to Joel took place during the Ptolemaic period (c. 301-201 BCE) due to its use of earlier texts and what they perceive to be a "late" perspective on Yahweh and the nations.

Evidence produced for these positions includes allusions in the book to the wider world, similarities with other prophets, and linguistic details. Some commentators, such as John Calvin, attach no great importance to the precise dating.

History of interpretation

The Masoretic text places Joel between Hosea and Amos (the order inherited by the Tanakh and Old Testament), while the Septuagint order is Hosea–Amos–Micah–Joel–Obadiah–Jonah. The Hebrew text of Joel seems to have suffered little from scribal transmission, but is at a few points supplemented by the Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate versions, or by conjectural emendation. While the book purports to describe a plague of locusts, some ancient Jewish opinion saw the locusts as allegorical interpretations of Israel's enemies. This allegorical interpretation was applied to the church by many church fathers. Calvin took a literal interpretation of chapter 1, but allegorical view of chapter 2, a position echoed by some modern interpreters. Most modern interpreters, however, see Joel speaking of a literal locust plague given a prophetic or apocalyptic interpretation.

The traditional ascription of the whole book to the prophet Joel was challenged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries by a theory of a three-stage process of composition: 1:1–2:27 were from the hand of Joel, and dealt with a contemporary issue; 2:28–3:21/3:1–4:21 were ascribed to a continuator with an apocalyptic outlook. Mentions in the first half of the book to the day of the Lord were also ascribed to this continuator. 3:4–8/4:4–8 could be seen as even later. Details of exact ascriptions differed between scholars.

This splitting of the book's composition began to be challenged in the mid-twentieth century, with scholars defending the unity of the book, the plausibility of the prophet combining a contemporary and apocalyptic outlook, and later additions by the prophet. The authenticity of 3:4–8 has presented more challenges, although a number of scholars still defend it.

Biblical quotes and allusions

Russian icon of the prophet Joel (Iconostasis of Kizhi monastery, c. 1700–1725)

There are many parallels of language between Joel and other Old Testament prophets. They may represent Joel's literary use of other prophets, or vice versa.

In the New Testament, his prophecy of the outpouring of God's Holy Spirit upon all people was notably quoted by Saint Peter in his Pentecost sermon.

Joel 3:10 / 4:10 is a variation of Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3's prophecy, "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks", instead commanding, "Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears."

The table below represents some of the more explicit quotes and allusions between specific passages in Joel and passages from the Old and New Testaments.

Joel	Old Testament	New Testament
1:6, 2:2–10		Revelation 9:3, 7–9
1:15	Isaiah 13:6 Ezekiel 30:2–3
2:1	Zephaniah 1:14–16
2:1–2	Amos 5:18, 20
2:11	Malachi 3:2
2:14	Jonah 3:9
2:20–21	Psalm 126:2–3
2:27	Isaiah 45:5 Ezekiel 36:11
2:28–32/3:1–5		Acts 2:16–21
2:31/3:4	Malachi 3:23/4:5
2:32/3:5	Obadiah 17	Romans 10:13
3:1/4:1	Psalm 126:1
3:10/4:10	Isaiah 2:4 Micah 4:3
3:16/4:16	Amos 1:2
3:17/4:17	Obadiah 17
3:18/4:18	Amos 9:13

Liturgical usage

Plange quasi virgo (Lament like a virgin), the third responsory for Holy Saturday, is loosely based on verses from the Book of Joel: the title comes from Joel 1:8.

References

Keller, C. A., 28. Joel, in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), The Oxford Bible Commentary Archived 2017-11-22 at the Wayback Machine, p. 578
Würthwein 1995, pp. 35–37.
^ Ulrich 2010, p. 598.
^ Dead sea scrolls - Joel
Fitzmyer 2008, p. 38.
4Q78 at the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library
Fitzmyer 2008, p. 39.
4Q82 at the Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library
12 Minor Prophets Dead Sea Scroll MS 4612/1. Schøyen Collection. Accessed February 5, 2020.
Fitzmyer 2008, pp. 140–141.
Würthwein 1995, pp. 73–74.
Pradas, Joseph. "Convertimini ad me". Seu Valentina. Retrieved 26 Jan 2019.
Hayes, Christine (2006). "Introduction to the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) – Lecture 23 – Visions of the End: Daniel and Apocalyptic Literature". Open Yale Courses. Yale University.
"Joel 4 – JPS Version" – via mechon-mamre.org.
"Joel 4:1". BibleGateway.com. Zondervan Corporation. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
"1611 King James Bible. book of Joel". King James Bible Online. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
Kee, Howard Clark; Meyers, Eric M.; Rogerson, John; Levine, Amy-Jill; Saldarini, Anthony J. (2008). Chilton, Bruce (ed.). The Cambridge Companion to the Bible (2, revised ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 217. ISBN 978-0521691406.
^ Joel, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Revising Editor Moises Silva, 2011
Patterson, Richard D. The Expositor's Bible Commentary, vol. 7. Zondervan.
“Joel.” Hagedorn, Anselm C. The Oxford Handbook of the Minor Prophets. Edited by Julia M. O'Brien. pp. 411–423. “The book's engagement with earlier texts ( especially those relating to the ‘Day of Yahweh’) attests to its late origin, and its ending reflects late theological thinking about the relationship between Israel and the nations, portraying Yahweh as the ruler of the whole world…These theological debates point to a very late origin of Joel 2:28-3:21 . The universal judgment of the nations probably belongs to discourse of the late Persian period (Steck 1996), while the vision of Joel 2:28-32 may best be understood during the relative peace of Ptolemaic times.”
Allen 36
Targum at 2:25; also margin of LXX manuscript Q, mid-6th century AD
See Allen 29–31
See Allen 25–29 for details and arguments.
Acts 2
Isaiah 2:4
Joel 3:10
Joel 1:8: Vulgate translation

Works cited

Fitzmyer, Joseph A. (2008). A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0802862419.
Keller, Carl-A. (2007). "28. Joel". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 578–581. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
Ulrich, Eugene, ed. (2010). The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants. Brill.
Würthwein, Ernst (1995). The Text of the Old Testament. Translated by Rhodes, Erroll F. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans. ISBN 0-8028-0788-7. Retrieved January 26, 2019.

External links

Jewish Encyclopedia: Book of Joel
Catholic Encyclopedia: Joel
Jewish translations:
- Yoel – Joel (Judaica Press) translation at Chabad.org
Christian translations:
- Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV)
- Joel at The Great Books (New Revised Standard Version)
- Joel at BibleGateway (New International Version and others)
- Joel at BlueLetter Bible (King James Version and others, plus commentaries)
Bible: Joel public domain audiobook at LibriVox Various versions

Book of Joel Minor prophets
Preceded byHosea	Hebrew Bible	Succeeded byAmos
	Christian Old Testament

v t e Book of Joel
Places	Garden of Eden Judah Kidron Megiddo Philistines Sheba Sidon Shittim Tyre Zion
People	Jehosaphat Joel
Terms	Locust

Books of the Bible

Old Testament

Hebrew Bible
(protocanon)

Deuterocanon
or apocrypha

Catholic, Eastern Orthodox & others	Tobit Judith Additions to Esther 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees Wisdom Sirach Baruch / Letter of Jeremiah Additions to Daniel Susanna Song of the Three Children Bel and the Dragon
Eastern Orthodox & others	1 Esdras 2 Esdras Prayer of Manasseh Psalm 151 3 Maccabees 4 Maccabees Odes
Orthodox Tewahedo	Enoch Jubilees 1, 2, and 3 Meqabyan Paralipomena of Baruch Broader canon
Syriac Peshitta	Psalms 152–155 2 Baruch
Beta Israel	Testaments of the Three Patriarchs Abraham Isaac Jacob

New Testament

Canon	Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians Ephesians Philippians Colossians Laodiceans 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation
Antilegomena	Acts of Paul Apocalypse of Peter Didache Gospel of the Hebrews Epistle of Barnabas 1 Clement 2 Clement 3 Corinthians Shepherd of Hermas

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