JOEL, Book of. The book consists of two parts, which differ materially from each other in thought. Chapters i and ii, 1-27, except for possible later additions, were written in the midst of a plague of locusts and drought, re garded as a punishment upon Israel; while chapter ii, 28-32 and chapter iii (chapters iii and iv in the Hebrew), make no mention of these circumstances but are dealing with the coming day of Yahweh, the final judgment on the nations. Until recently the whole book, or the most of it, has been regarded as the work of a single author; but now some maintain that the second part, or the most of it, is not by the author of the first part. This is on grounds of thought and style, neither reason, however, giving a sufficient warrant for this conclusion. The probable view is that the most of the book was by a single author, the two portions, how ever, being written at different times. There are a few later additions. These in the first portion are i, 15; ii, lb, 2, 10-11, 20. All these were designed to connect the first part with the thought of the second, in each case they are inappropriate in the context and interrupt the thought. In the second part iii, 4-8 interrupts the connection, and is to be regarded as a later addition.
Concerning the prophet, nothing is known outside of the book. His name means: °Yahweh is God." In earlier times the date was often thought to be pre-exilic. It is now generally recognized, however, that it is post-exilic. This is evident from in, 2, from which it appears that the people are scattered among the nations. There is no mention of a king, which points to the same period. The emphasis on the import ance of the Temple services also strongly sug gests the post-exilic period. Chapter ii, 32 is
a direct allusion to Obadiah xvii, which was written after the exile. The allusions to foreign cations make no mention of Assyria or Babylonia, one of which is mentioned in every pre-exilic prophet except Amos, and doubtless alluded to there. Further, there is no mention of the northern kingdom, Israel, which ex cludes the pre-exilic period except the last part. The Temple is standing, as appears from fre quent references, such as i, 13, hence it is after 516 ac. Probably ii, 9 indicates that the wall of Jerusalem has been built, thus indicating the time after Nehemiah. The date about 400 ac. seems, therefore, most probable.
The thought of the book is in accord with the general teaching of the prophets, although it makes no material advance upon tin messages given earlier. The author prizes more highly than most of the prophets the external worship, yet this is regarded as an expression of the realities of the inner life, ii, 13. He connects sin and punishment, repentance and national prosperity. He looks forward to the coming of Yahweh, a general judgment upon the nations for their sins. In this time the true Israel, the faithful who call upon Yahweh, will be delivered, ii, 32, iii, 16; and will receive abundant blessing, iii, 18-21. The conception of God emphasizes his power and his justice.
Bewer, J. A., 'Joel' ternational Critical Commentary,' New York 1911) ; Driver, S. R., 'Joel and Amos' bridge Bible,' Cambridge 1897) ; Smith, G. A., Book of the Twelve Prophets' positor's Bible,> Vol. II, New York 1898).