The pulpit commentary relates some information from pseudoepiphanius, who, in his lives of the prophets. Unlike the other books, joel tells us a story about a terrible plague of locusts that seems to. Watch our overview video on the book of joel, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Joel summary we hope that you find the joel summary from the kjv bible chapters and verses helpful to your bible studies and for references as a. We are altogether uncertain concerning the time when this prophet prophesied. Joel is book number 29 in the old testament of the bible. Verses 17 it is a foolish fancy which some of the jews have, that this joel the prophet was the same with that joel who was the son of samuel 1 sa. Book of joel bible study chapter 1 locuts, destruction. Joel was just a messenger, a spiritual currier entrusted with a message from god. Joel seems to quote other prophets like ezekiel cf. All of this points to a date of approximately 835 bc or soon after, making joel one of the earliest writing prophets, as well as a contemporary of the prophet elisha. Joel sets his message up by pointing to a literal locust plague which he poetically morphs into a.
There have been many guesses as to the time of when joel lived. Commentary on the bible, by adam clarke, 1831, at joel chapter 1 this and the beginning of the next chapter contain a double prophecy, applicable in its primary sense to a plague of locusts which was to devour the land, and to be accompanied with a severe drought and famine. Commentary on the book of joel by matthew henry old. The book of joel accounts for justice over evil in a form thats unique to the other old testament prophets. Joel was probably the first of the so called writing prophets. Joel commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole bible.
The book focuses its prophetic judgment on the southern kingdom of judah with frequent references to zion and the temple worship joel 1. Joel commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Does not always interpret the scripture literallyand sometimes replaces israel with the church note. Joel tells us his fathers name, but he says nothing about himself. The first verse of this short book names joel jehovah is god the son of pethuel as author. Joel reflects on the day of the lord and how true repentance will bring about the great restoration hoped for in the other prophetic books. This invasion of locusts destroys everythingthe fields of grain, the vineyards, the gardens and the trees.
Joel free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. Joel 1 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on. Verses 2832 verses 2832 the promises of corn, and wine, and oil, in the joel 2. You, who accustom yourselves to get drunk with wine, awake out of your sleep, and weep night and day. Its hard know his exact time, because joel doesnt mention any other kings or prophets. Kjv bible verses from joel is one of a group of twelve prophetic books known as the minor prophets or as the twelve people of the christian faith can this useful short summary of these bible scriptures for an online bible study course or biblical studies. The cause of gods people is pleaded against their enemies, whom god would in due time reckon with joel 3. You will also find options for commentaries on joel that help pastors, teachers, and readers with application of the bible, commentaries that approach the scripture versebyverse, classic christian commentaries, and much more.
In the two speeches that make up this book, joel uses an agricultural crisis to measure his audiences knowledge of its god, warn them of a worse disaster if they ignore his preaching, and express his conviction that all faithful judahites would someday enjoy a secure future. A most unusual feature of the book of joel is the plague of locusts chapter 1. The recording is dramatized, from the king james bible. A list of the best commentaries on joel ranked by scholars, journal. This commentary is a valuable guide to the fascinating world and challenging word of these two prophets.
Ever mindful of the wider context and composition of these ancient but living texts, david hubbard shows how joel and amos addressed israels mind and heart. The pericope for ash wednesday falls at the end of this section. Joel chapter 3 matthew henry complete commentary on. Book of joel matthew henrys bible commentary concise. The prophecy of joel is short but certainly not lacking in beauty or interest. Calvin begins his commentary on each book with a short introduction. The prophet uses many literary devices to produce his vivid style. The term indicates the short length of the text in relation to longer prophetic texts known as the major prophets. Some students think that he wrote his book about 850 years before the birth of jesus. He here speaks of a sad and sore judgment which was now brought. The prophecy of joel may seem unimportant as it contains only three brief chapters. The books of joel, obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Best joel commentaries updated for 2020 best bible. This makes joel a preexilic prophet, who served before the fall of the northern kingdom of israel 721 b. Verses 2832 matthew henrys commentary bible gateway. The people are hereupon called to repentance, joel 2. The really important thing is that joel has a message from god. Read joel commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. In addition ezekiel would be a contemporary of joel if he wrote during the late preexilic period. Awake, ye drunkards from the long sleep occasioned by your intoxication. When commenting on a book, he frequently offers his own translations of a passage, explaining the subtleties and nuances of his translation. Joel 3 in the close of the foregoing chapter we had a gracious promise of deliverance in mount zion and jerusalem.
In other words, god says, nothing like this has ever happened in your lifetime, or in your fathers lifetime. The prophet joel cannot be identified with any of the 12 other figures in the ot who have the same name. In this book, john calvin provides an engaging commentary on three minor prophets in the old testament. However, this little book is like an atom bombit is not very big, but it sure is potent and powerful.
This summary of the book of joel provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of joel. Promises are made of the return of mercy upon their repentance joel 2. The book of joel can be divided neatly into two parts. Like all scripture, the book of joel is the word of god. Top 5 commentaries on the book of joel ligonier ministries.
Study joel using matthew henrys bible commentary concise to better understand scripture with full outline and verse meaning. Study the bible online using commentary on joel and more. Other students think that he wrote it about 330 years later than that. Book of joel overview insight for living ministries. Judah, the setting for the book, is devastated by a vast horde of locusts. Joel is referred to only once in the new testament acts 2. Joel 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. The greek septuagint lxx, and latin vulgate versions follow the hebrew masoretic text, titling this book after joel the prophet, the recipient of the message from god 1. This is the holy book of joel, known simply as joel. The author of the prophecy is identified only as joel the son of pethuel.
Nothing is known about the prophet joel whose name this book bears. This is, in my opinion, the best and most beautiful. Estimates for the dates of the book of joel range from the ninth century to the second century b. First, the good news calvins prayers are excellent, and are very convicting suggestion. No further details are given about him anywhere in scripture. The book of joel was likely written between 835 and 800 b. Commentary on joel 1 by matthew henry blue letter bible. Basically, it is that, the day of the lord is coming to bring judgment for gods enemies and restoration for gods people. Joel meaning one to whom jehovah is god, that is, worshipper of jehovah seems to have belonged to judah, as no reference occurs to israel. The book of joel is part of the hebrew bible, one of twelve prophetic books known as the twelve minor prophets. John gill unfortunately all too often offers a nonliteral interpretation in the old testament especially. The book of joel states that its author was the prophet joel joel 1. This chapter is the description of a lamentable devastation made of the country of judah by locusts and caterpillars.
Matthew henry commentary on joel 1 obadiah, jonah, and micah the new international commentary on the old testament allen, leslie c. While most of the other prophets can be dated with some degree of accuracy, it is notoriously difficult to date the book of joel. God compares the past to the future in the book of joel. Douglas stuart hoseajonah word biblical commentary, 1987. Joel 1 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. A free bible version and commentary on the book of joel in easyenglish. After a superscription ascribing the prophecy to joel son of pethuel, the book may be broken down into the.
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