Book 29 of 66 · Old Testament
Joel
A locust plague becomes a warning of the great "day of the Lord" — and a promise of God's Spirit poured out.
3 chapters73 versesWritten in HebrewSet Judah and Jerusalem
Overview
Joel begins with a real disaster — a locust plague that strips the land bare — and reads it as a warning of a greater "day of the Lord" to come. He calls the people to repent, then promises restoration and a day when God will pour out his Spirit "upon all flesh." It is short, but the New Testament quotes it at Pentecost.
Book facts
- Author
- JoelNamed in the first verse; nothing else is known of him.
- Date written
- Uncertain — perhaps c. 800 or c. 400 BCThe book names no king, so its date is debated.
- Original language
- HebrewVivid Hebrew poetry.
- Setting
- Judah and JerusalemWritten after a devastating locust plague.
How it came to be
Joel is named in the opening verse as the book's prophet. Nothing else is known of him, and the book names no king, so its date is uncertain.
Peter quotes its promise of God's Spirit poured out when he preaches at Pentecost in the book of Acts.
What is arguedWhen it was written — the book names no king and its imagery fits several eras, so estimates range across centuries.
The whole book, chapter by chapter
| Chapter | What happens | Who is in it | Where it takes place |
|---|---|---|---|
The day of the Lord — from the locusts to the Spirit poured out, chapters 1–3 | |||
| Chapter 1The locusts | A devastating locust plague strips the land, and Joel calls the people to mourn and fast. | — | |
| Chapter 2The day of the Lord | Joel warns of the coming day of the Lord, calls for repentance, and promises God will restore the years the locusts ate and pour out his Spirit. | — | |
| Chapter 3The valley of decision | God will judge the nations in the valley of decision and dwell with his people in Zion. | — | , , |
All 3 chapters. Start reading →