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.

"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)."

A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:7).

Definition of Joel:
"he that wills or commands"

Related Bible Dictionary Terms:
Joel Book of