Joel
The Prophet of PentecostProphet who used a devastating locust plague to prophesy the Day of the LORD and the outpouring of the Spirit
Joel prophesied in Judah, using a devastating locust plague as both literal judgment and symbolic warning of the coming Day of the LORD. His prophecy of the Spirit being poured out 'on all flesh' was quoted by Peter at Pentecost as being fulfilled. Joel's imagery of cosmic signs (sun darkened, moon turned to blood) appears in Jesus's Olivet Discourse and Revelation. The book moves from judgment to restoration, promising that God will 'restore the years the locusts have eaten.'
Original Name
יוֹאֵל (Yo'el)
Meaning
Yahweh is God
Etymology
Joel combines 'Yo' (shortened form of YHWH) with 'El' (God), meaning 'Yahweh is God.' This confession - the same as Elijah's name in reverse order - declares the absolute sovereignty of Israel's God.
Linguistic Insights
Joel's name reverses Elijah's: Eliyahu ('My God is Yahweh') becomes Yo'el ('Yahweh is God'). Both names make the same confession. The locust plague uses four different Hebrew words for locusts (gazam, arbeh, yeleq, chasil) - possibly different species or stages, or a literary intensification. The phrase 'Day of the LORD' (Yom YHWH) appears 5 times, establishing Joel as a primary source for this eschatological concept. Peter's quotation at Pentecost (Acts 2) renders Joel's 'afterward' as 'in the last days,' interpreting the Spirit's outpouring as inaugurating the final age. The Valley of Jehoshaphat ('Yahweh judges') may be symbolic rather than geographical.
Translation Notes
- •Name means 'Yahweh is God' - reverse of Elijah
- •Four different Hebrew words for locusts in chapter 1
- •'Day of the LORD' (Yom YHWH) appears 5 times
- •Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32 at Pentecost (Acts 2:17-21)
Related Terms
Witnessed devastating locust plague
Joel 1:1-12Called for national repentance
Joel 1:13-20Prophesied the Day of the LORD
Joel 2:1-11Called 'Return to me with all your heart'
Joel 2:12-17Promised restoration and Spirit outpouring
Joel 2:18-32Prophesied judgment in Valley of Jehoshaphat
Joel 3:1-16Promised eternal blessing for God's people
Joel 3:17-21Joel 2:13
"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."
Joel 2:28
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions."
Joel 2:25
"I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten."
Acts 2:17
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people."
Born
c. 835 BC (early date) or c. 400 BC (late date)
Died
Unknown
Lifespan
Unknown
Father
Pethuel
Mother
Unknown
Spouse
Unknown