Name
The book of Joel is named for its author, Joel, son of Pethuel. Joel means “Yahweh is God.”
Author
Joel, the son of Pethuel, received the word of prophecy from the Lord (v. 1). Among all the many Joels in Scripture, the book of Joel is the only reference to this Joel, and it provides no biographical data other than the name of his father.
Genre
Prophecy (the second of twelve books commonly referred to as the “Minor Prophets”).
Literary Form
The book of Joel is prophetic poetry, except for a short section of prose in chapter 3.
Time Frame
Joel provides no specific dating in the book, and the book’s details lead to a variety of conclusions among scholars. There are three scholarly viewpoints: 1) the book was early pre-exilic (before the exile to Babylon around the ninth century), 2) the book was late pre-exilic (before the exile to Babylon around 597-587 B.C.), and 3) the book was written postexilic (after the Babylonian exile around 517 B.C.).
Given the lack of internal clues, it is impossible to determine the date or even the era in which the book was written with any degree of certainty.
Emphasis
The emphasis of the book of Joel is calling the people to repentance. Although specific sins are not mentioned, Joel exhorts the people to repent, by turning to God with all their hearts, not just make a show of outward repentance by the tearing of clothes. Â He calls for true repentance before God’s judgment comes in “the Day of the Lord.”
The “Day of the Lord” figures prominently in Joel’s prophecy. It is a reference to the judgment of the Lord coming against Israel and other nations. Joel mentions the “Day of the Lord” five times: (Joel 1:15, Joel 2:1-2, Joel 2:10-11, Joel 2:30-31, and Joel 3:14-16.
Outline
- The locust invasion (1:1-20)
- The invading northern army (2:1-11)
- The appeal to repentance and restoration (2:12-19)
- The northern army destroyed (2:20)
- The restoration of the land (2:21-27)
- The spiritual revival among the people (2:28-32)
- The judgment of the nations (3:1-21)
