Meaning of the Name Joel
Joel appears in Hebrew as Yo'el and is most commonly explained as "YHWH is God" or more simply "Yahweh is God." The two parts of the name combine the divine name with the general word for God. This etymology is relatively clear.
Origin
The name Joel is of Hebrew origin.
Who is Joel in the Bible?
Joel is known as one of the Minor Prophets. A locust disaster, a call to repentance, and the promise that God will pour out his Spirit are central themes in his book. Other men with the name appear in genealogies, but the prophet of the book of Joel is the best-known bearer.
The story of Joel in the Bible
Joel, son of Pethuel, stands among the twelve minor prophets. His book offers no further personal details about him; what stands out is his message. Its starting point is a devastating locust plague: wave after wave of locusts had stripped the vineyards, fields, and harvest, and the people's joy had withered away. Joel proclaimed the disaster as a herald of the day of the LORD and summoned the people to return to God with fasting, weeping, and their whole heart, urging them to tear their hearts rather than their garments, for the LORD is gracious and compassionate. After the summons come promises: the LORD will restore the years the locusts have eaten, and his people will never again be put to shame. Among the book's best-known words is the promise that God will pour out his Spirit on all people, sons and daughters prophesying, the old dreaming dreams and the young seeing visions, a promise echoed at Pentecost in the New Testament.
Is Joel mentioned in the Quran?
The name Joel does not appear in the Quran; he is known from the book of Joel in the Old Testament for his call to repentance and the promise of the outpouring of God's Spirit.
Verses where Joel appears
- Joel 1:1 —
Yahweh’s word that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel.
- Joel 2:12 —
“Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.”
- Joel 2:28 —
“It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.