FocusLament and a call to gather
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening summons different groups to lament the devastation and appeal to the LORD.
interpretation Joel 1:2
KJVHear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
Read it in context
The Invasion of Locusts
Start reading at Joel 1:1 (Joel 1:1 to Joel 1:7).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening summons different groups to lament the devastation and appeal to the LORD.
- 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
- 1:2 Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers?
- 1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.
- 1:4 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.
- 1:5 Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.
- 1:6 For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion.
- 1:7 He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Joel son of Pethuel is the named prophet and traditional author. Biblical references: Joel 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Joel 1:1–1:20): Joel calls the elders, inhabitants of the land, farmers, and priests to recognize the devastation and lament before the LORD. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah and Jerusalem: elders, inhabitants, farmers, priests, and the gathered people are called to hear and respond. Biblical references: Joel 1:2; Joel 1:13; Joel 2:15; Joel 3:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Invasion of Locusts. Read Joel 1:1 through Joel 1:7 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The opening summons different groups to lament the devastation and appeal to the LORD. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The opening does not name a reigning king or give a precise year. The book moves through devastation, a call to return, promised restoration, and the day of the LORD. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Judah, Jerusalem, Zion, the affected land, and the nations appear in the prophetic scene. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Invasion of Locusts (Joel 1:1 to Joel 1:7). Start reading at Joel 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Peter explicitly cites Joel's promise of the outpoured Spirit at Pentecost. Read the promise with Acts' description of the event and the response Peter calls for. See Joel 2:28, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16, Acts 2:38. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Respond to calls for wholehearted return and communal prayer. When connecting the promise of the Spirit with the church, retain the actual words of Joel and Acts. interpretation
Cited: Joel 1:1, Joel 1:7, Joel 2:28, Joel 2:32, Acts 2:16, Acts 2:38
Who wrote it, and how we know
Joel
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens with the word of the LORD that came to Joel.
Joel 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Joel.
What is debatedThe date is uncertain because the book gives no king's name.
Related passages
- Hear Ps 49:1 Isa 34:1 Jer 5:21 Hos 5:1 Amos 3:1 Amos 4:1 Amos 5:1 Mic 1:2
- ye old Job 8:8 Job 12:12 Job 15:10 Job 21:7
- Hath Joel 2:2 Deut 4:32-35 Isa 7:17 Jer 30:7 Dan 12:1 Matt 24:21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Joel 1
Joel names the prophet but does not provide a royal date in its opening. Its descriptions of devastation, calls to return, and promises concerning the Spirit must be read in sequence. Acts 2 explicitly cites the promise of the Spirit. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
A Call to Mourning
Joel 1:8–12FocusLament and a call to gather
Connection to the wholeThe opening summons different groups to lament the devastation and appeal to the LORD.
interpretation A Call to Repentance
Joel 1:13–20FocusLament and a call to gather
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The opening summons different groups to lament the devastation and appeal to the LORD.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Joel
Joel names the prophet but does not provide a royal date in its opening. Its descriptions of devastation, calls to return, and promises concerning the Spirit must be read in sequence. Acts 2 explicitly cites the promise of the Spirit.
FocusLament and a call to gather
Connection to the wholeThe opening summons different groups to lament the devastation and appeal to the LORD.
interpretation The approaching day and the call to return
Joel 2:1–17FocusAlarm, repentance, and intercession
Connection to the wholeThe warning intensifies and becomes a call for wholehearted return and communal supplication.
interpretation The LORD's response and the promised Spirit
Joel 2:18–32FocusRestoration and deliverance
Connection to the wholeWords of restored provision lead into the promise concerning the Spirit and the call on the LORD's name.
interpretation The nations and Zion
Joel 3:1–21FocusJudgment and the LORD's dwelling
Connection to the wholeThe final chapter announces judgment on the nations and the security associated with the LORD's presence in Zion.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.