Study questions, maps, charts, key words, history, background, outlines, and links to help you study the Old Testament book of Joel.
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Basics
- Author: Joel
- Date: Unknown.
- Possible Dates: a) Early Preexilic: Some think Joel was an early prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Joash (835-796 BC); b) Late Preexilic (609-586 BC); or c) Postexilic (515-350 BC).
- The Hebrew Canon places Joel among the minor prophets after Ezekiel & Hosea and before Amos.
- The Greek canon places Joel after Daniel and Hosea and before Amos.
- I suspect the dating is ambiguous because Joel is relevant to any time of lament or trouble.
- Joel tells the nations that even though some disasters have struck, it is not too late to repent.
Outline
- Chapter 1:1-5 – A plague destroys the land
- Chapter 1:6-2:27 – Vision of the invading army
- Chapter 2:28-3:21 – Future judgment and deliverance
Purposes:
- To warn Judah of the coming Day of the Lord when judgment will get worse for Judah and the nations of the world.
- To urge Judah to repent of their sins.
- To proclaim a future time of complete restoration.
Genre: Understanding Prophecy
Background
Chart: Bible History at a glance
Blue Letter Bible: Old Testament Timeline
Chart: Kings of Israel & Judah
Minor Prophets Quotes in the New Testament
Jensen’s Survey of the Old Testament
Ray C Stedman: Overview of the Book
John MacArthur: Introduction to Joel
NIV: Introduction to Joel
NIV: The Minor Prophets
ESV: Introduction to Joel
James van Dine: Analysis of Joel
David Malick: An Introduction to the Book of Joel
David Malick: An Argument of the Book of Joel
JVernon McGee: Hosea and Joel – Introductory Notes, Outlines
Charles Swindoll: Book of Joel Overview
Maps from Holman Bible Atlas
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (1)
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (2)
The Kingdoms of Israel and Judah (3)
Conflicts between Israel and Aram-Damascus
The Golden Ages of the 9th & 8th centuries BCE
Phoenician Trade and Civilization
Trade Routes throughout the Middle East
Israel & Judah in the days of Jeroboam II and Uzziah
The Assyrian Empire under Tiglath-Pileser III
Fall of Samaria and Deportation of Israelites
The Fall of the Kingdom of Israel
Assyrian Districts after the Fall of Samaria
Prophets of the 8th Century BCE
Judah Alone amid International Powers
Hezekiah’s Preparation for Revolt
Sennacherib’s Campaign against Judah
Assyria in the 7th century BCE
The Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
The Districts of Judah under King Josiah
Nebuchadnezzar’s Campaigns against Judah
The Persian Period
World Powers of the 6th century BCE
The Conquests of Cyrus the Great
The Return of the Jewish Exiles to Judah
ESV Study Bible Maps
Key Words
- Locust, Zion, day of the Lord (in that day, those days), return, I will, never again, then, now, nations/nation.
Dictionaries & Encyclopedias
Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology: Joel, Theology Of
American Tract Society: Joel
Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Joel
Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Joel, Book Of; Joel
Fausset Bible Dictionary: Joel, the Book Of; Joel
Holman Bible Dictionary: Joel
Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Joel; Joel, Book Of
Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Joel
Morrish Bible Dictionary: Joel, Book Of; Joel
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Joel (1); Joel (2)
McClintock and Strong: Joel, Book Of.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia:Joel
The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia: Joel, Book Of
Commentaries & Study Bibles
Ligionier.org Top 5 Commentaries: Joel
Tim Challies Best Commentaries:
Commentary Reviews: Joel
Calvin’s Commentary on the Bible: Joel
Matthew Henry: Joel
Albert Barnes Notes: Joel
Reformation Study Bible Notes: Joel
Geneva Study Bible: Joel
Precept Austin Commentaries & Sermons: Joel
Articles
A Critique Of The Prewrath Interpretation Of The Day Of The Lord In Joel 2–3 — By Alan D. Cole (see online article)
A Doctrinal Study of Acts 2:14 — By Clifford Rapp, Jr.
Old Testament Passages Referring To The Day Of The Lord — By Warren Vanhetloo
Duane Garrett: The Structure Of Joel
J Hampton Keathley: The Minor Prophets
Tom Hawkins: Joel- Introduction, Outline, and Argument
Harold Hosch: Joel- The Concept of Prophetic Time in the Book of Joel
Richard Mayhue: The Prophet’s Watchword: Day of the LORD
GotQuestions.org
What are the Major Prophets and Minor Prophets?
Is Joel 1:4 referring to literal locusts? When was this prophecy fulfilled?
Why did God use a locust swarm to punish Israel (Joel 1:4)?
How does God restore the years that the locusts have eaten (Joel 2:25)?
What does it mean that God will pour out His Spirit on all people (Joel 2:28)?
Will the sun really be turned to darkness and the moon to blood (Joel 2:31)?
What is the valley of decision (Joel 3:14)?
What is bloodguilt (Joel 3:21)?
Next: Amos
Previous: Hosea
Resources: by Book of the Bible
Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash
