The Book of Joel: A Prophet between Calamity and Hope 9781472550866, 9780567542847

Table of contents :
CONTENTS
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Part I. INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1 -- THE DATE AND MEANING OF THE BOOK OF JOEL
Dating Joel
Joel as a Prophet in Judah in the Exilic Period (Between 587 and 538 B.C.E.)
The Meaning of the Book of Joel in Its Historical Setting
Chapter 2 -- LOCUSTS IN THE BOOK OF JOEL: THEIR ROLE IN THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK
Devastation by Locusts and by Human Enemies: The Link Between the Two Parts of Joel
Explanations of the Relationship Between the Two Parts
A New Proposal
The Book’s Structure
Part II. JOEL 1:2–2:17: DESCRIPTION OF THE LOCUSTS, CALL TO THE PEOPLE TO TURN TO GOD, PRIESTS’ PRAYER
Chapter 3 -- THE STRUCTURE AND MEANING OF THE LOCUSTPLAGUE ORACLES IN JOEL 1:2–2:17
Introduction
The Structure of the Locust Oracles (1:2–2:17)
The Relationship Between the Four Oracles
The Significance of the Structure of the Oracles
Chapter 4 -- THE FIRST PERICOPE OF JOEL REGARDING THE LOCUSTS, 1:2–12
Structure of the Pericope
Verses 2–3—Introduction: Call to the People to Hear
Verses 4–12—Description of the Plague of Locusts and Its Implications
Structure of the Pericope
Chapter 5 -- THE SECOND PERICOPE OF JOEL REGARDING THE LOCUSTS, 1:13–20
Structure of the Pericope
Call to the People, 1:13–15
The Description of the Disaster, 1:16–18
Turning to God, 1:19–20
Summary
Chapter 6 -- THE THIRD PERICOPE OF JOEL REGARDING THE LOCUSTS, 2:1–14
The Relationship Between Chapter 1 and Chapter 2
Structure
A Call to the People, 2:1
Description of the Disaster, 2:2–11
An Appeal to the People to Return to God, 2:12–14
Summary
Chapter 7 -- THE FOURTH PERICOPE OF JOEL REGARDING THE LOCUSTS AND THE PRIESTS’ PRAYER, 2:15–17
The Structure of the Pericope and Its Role Among the Other Locust Pericopes
A Call to the People to Assemble, 2:15–16
The Prayer of the Priests to God, 2:17
Summary
Part III. JOEL 2:18–4:17: DESCRIPTION OF THE DIVINE RESPONSE
Chapter 8 -- AN OVERVIEW OF THE DIVINE RESPONSE IN JOEL 2:18–4:17
The Two-Part Divine Response
2:18—Introduction to God’s Response
Chapter 9 -- THE FIRST DIVINE REPLY: SALVATION FROM THE LOCUST PLAGUE, 2:19–27
The Framework of the Unit
The Relationship Between God’s Response and the Description of the Locust Plague in 1:2–2:17
The Structure of the Unit
Summary
Chapter 10 -- THE SECOND DIVINE REPLY: SALVATION FOR THE PEOPLE FROM NATIONAL DISTRESS, 3:1–4:17
The Unit’s Boundaries and Structure
The Transition from Agricultural Salvation to Political Salvation
The Prophesying of the Masses, Cosmic Signs, the Rescue of Those who Call on the Name of God, and the Punishment of the Enemies, 3:1–4:8
The Prophesying of the Masses, 3:1–2
Cosmic Signs of the Events of the Day of YHWH, 3:3–4
The Rescue of Those Who Call Upon the Name of YHWH, 3:5
The Judgment of the Nations and the Rescue of the People, 4:1–8
The Punishment of the Nations, the Saving of the People, and the Recognition that God Dwells in Jerusalem, 4:9–17
The Salvation of Israel Within the Framework of the Day of YHWH, 4:16–17
Summary
Part IV. JOEL 4:18–21: THE CLOSING OF THE BOOK
Chapter 11 -- THE FINAL VERSES OF THE BOOK OF JOEL, 4:18–21
Introduction
A New Proposal for the Structure and Meaning of 4:18–21: Salvation of the Agriculture (4:18) and National Salvation (4:19–21)
The Closing Compared to the Body of the Book
Summary
Chapter 12 -- CONCLUSION
Bibliography
Index of References
Index of Authors

Citation preview

LIBRARY OF HEBREW BIBLE/ OLD TESTAMENT STUDIES

581 Formerly Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series

Editors Claudia V. Camp, Texas Christian University Andrew Mein, Westcott House, Cambridge

Founding Editors David J. A. Clines, Philip R. Davies and David M. Gunn

Editorial Board Alan Cooper, John Goldingay, Robert P. Gordon, Norman K. Gottwald, James Harding, John Jarick, Carol Meyers, Patrick D. Miller, Francesca Stavrakopoulou, Daniel L. Smith-Christopher

ii

THE BOOK OF JOEL

A Prophet between Calamity and Hope

Elie Assis

N E W YOR K • LON DON • N E W DE L H I • SY DN EY

Bloomsbury T&T Clark An imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 50 Bedford Square London WC1B 3DP UK

175 Fifth Avenue New York NY 10010 USA

www.bloomsbury.com First published 2013 © Elie Assis, 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers. Elie Assis has asserted his rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identi¿ed as Author of this work. No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by Bloomsbury Academic or the author. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. eISBN:

978-0-567-54284-7

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress

Typeset by Forthcoming Publications Ltd (www.forthpub.com)

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