Bible Commentaries
Joel 1

Verse 1

TITLE. The word of the LORD. Therefore not Joel's. This is the Divine key to the book Joel's pen, but not Joel's words, Compare Acts 1:16 for a similar fact concerning David.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Joel = Jehovah [is] GOD.

the son of Pethuel. This does not imply that Pethuel was a prophet. It merely distinguishes this Joel from others of the same name.

Verse 2

Hear. Note this indication of the formula of Joel's prophetic utterances. See App-82 .

ye. Hebrew has no proper vocative. The simple Noun with the Article takes its place.

old men. Not official elders, but those whose memory goes back farthest.

Hath . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-38 ), for emphasis. Compare Joel 2:2 .

Verse 3

Tell ye your children. Ref to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 4:9 ; Deuteronomy 6:6 , Deuteronomy 6:7 ; Deuteronomy 11:19 ). App-92 . Compare Psalms 78:3-8 .

children = sons. Note the Figure of speech Climax ( App-6 ).

Verse 4

That which, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:38 ). Compare Joel 2:25 . The English of this verse is beautifully idiomatic, but twelve Hebrew words condense the whole. See below.

palmerworm. This is named first of four different stages of the locust. English = hairy caterpiller Hebrew gazam, or the gnawer. The pupa stage.

locust. Hebrew. 'arbeh = the swarmer. The imago stage.

cankerworm . Hebrew. yelek = the devourer.

caterpillar. Hebrew hasil = the consumer. The larva stage. Compare Joel 2:25 , and Nahum 3:15 , Nahum 3:16 .

These four words show the completeness of the destroying agencies. The Heb, reads "Gnawer's remnant, Swarmer eats: Swarmer's remnant, Devourer eats Devourer's remnant, Consumer eats. "

Verse 5

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 . L

new wine. Hebrew. asis , App-27 .

Verse 6

a nation. See Joel 2:20 ; and compare Daniel 11:0 . Put for the great destroying powers which are symbolized in Joel 1:4

by the locusts. Compare Joel 2:2 , Joel 2:11 , Joel 2:25 .Revelation 9:0 .

My land . So called because Jehovah is about to put in His claim. The end-time is here referred to, when He will do this:

"the day of the Lord". See Joel 1:15 , and Joel 2:1 , &c.

Verse 7

He. The nation of Joel 1:6 .

My vine . . . My fig tree . Note this "My", for Jehovah is about to recover His People Israel, as the issue of "the day of the Loan". Compare Psalms 80:8 , Psalms 80:14 .Isaiah 5:1-6 ; Isaiah 27:2 .Hosea 10:1 . Also for the fig-tree compare Hosea 9:10 . Matthew 21:19 . Luke 13:6 , Luke 13:7 .

barked = reduced to splinters or chips. Hebrew &c kezaphah . Occurs only here. The root is connected with foam, compare Hosea 10:7 .

Verse 8

Lament. Feminine. agreeing with "land", Joel 1:6 .

Verse 9

meat offering = the meal or gift offering. Hebrew. minchah. See App-43 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 2:0 ). App-92 . Compare Joel 2:14 .

drink offering . Ref to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:40 . Leviticus 23:13 .Numbers 15:3-10; Numbers 15:3-10 ) and App-92 . See App-43 .

ministers. Reference to Pentateuch (Numbers 3:6 , &c.) App-92 .

field . . . wasted. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. shuddad. . . sadeh

land = soil. Hebrew 'adamah Not the same word as in verses: Joel 2:6 , Joel 2:14 , &c., in this book; but the same as in Joel 2:21 . Verses 10-12 show why the offerings cannot be brought.

new wine. Hebrew tirosh. App-27 . Same word as in Joel 2:19 , Joel 2:24 . Not the some as in Joel 1:5 and Joe 8:18 .

Verse 12

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 13

ministers of the altar. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 30:20 ). App-92 .

lie all night , &c. The symbol of mourning; p. 2 Samuel 12:16 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 14

a solemn assembly = a day of restraint. Hebrew. 'azarah. Occurs only here, in Joel 2:15 ; 2 Kings 10:20 ; and Isaiah 1:13 . Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 23:36 . Numbers 29:35 .Deuteronomy 16:8; Deuteronomy 16:8 ) where the feminine form 'azereth is used ( App-92 ). It is found also in 2 Chronicles 7:9 , Nehemiah 8:18 .

gather the elders. There being no mention of a king in this book is held by some as pointing to the time of Athaliah's usurpation. But see notes on p. 1224, and App-77 .

Verse 15

the day of the LORD. See note on Isaiah 2:12 . This is the great subject of Joel's prophecy, already the. "at hand".

destruction from the ALMIGHTY . Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. ke shod mishshaddai = mighty destruction from the Almighty. Compare Isaiah 13:6 .

the ALMIGHTY = the All-bountiful. Hebrew. Shaddai. App-4 . In this connection it is similar to "the wrath of the Lamb" (Revelation 6:16 , Revelation 6:17 ) in its violent contrast.

Verse 16

Is not . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

joy and gladness. Ref to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 12:6 , Deuteronomy 12:7 ; Deuteronomy 16:11 , Deuteronomy 16:14 , Deuteronomy 16:15 ).

Verse 17

The seed, &c. Note the Figure of speech Anabasis ( App-6 ) in this verse.

Verse 18

the beasts, Compare nos. Joe 4:3

Verse 19

to Thee will I cry. Compare Psalms 50:15 .

the fire . Compare Joel 2:3 .

wilderness = common land.

Verse 20

rivers = waters of the Aphikim. See note on "channels", 2 Samuel 22:16 .