Minor Prophets · Old Testament
Joel
c. 835 BC (date debated)
- Section
- Minor Prophets · Old Testament
- Events span
- c. 835 BC (date debated)
- Written
- c. 835 BC critical view: c. 400 BC (post-exilic)
- Author
- Joel son of Pethuel critical view: Joel; date and setting uncertain
A devastating locust plague becomes for Joel a picture of the coming “day of the LORD.” He calls Judah to repent, promises restoration, and foretells the day when God will pour out his Spirit on all people — the prophecy Peter quotes at Pentecost.
Chronological placement: The date is uncertain; traditionally placed early (c. 835 BC), so it is positioned here among the earlier prophets.
Key themes
- The day of the LORD
- Repentance
- The locust plague
- Outpouring of the Spirit
- Restoration and blessing
Key events
- A locust plague devastates the land, a foretaste of the day of the LORD
- Joel calls the nation to fast and weep: "rend your heart, and not your garments"
- God promises to restore "the years that the locust hath eaten"
- God will pour out his Spirit on all flesh, with signs before the day of the LORD
- God will judge the nations in the valley of decision and dwell with his people
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”