---
title: "Bullinger"
description: "TITLE. The word of the LORD. Therefore not Joel"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/bullingers-companion-bible-notes/joel/1"
---

**TITLE.** The word of the LORD. Therefore not Joel's. This is the Divine key to the book Joel's pen, but not Joel's words, Compare [Acts 1:16](../../../kjv/acts/1/16) for a similar fact concerning David.
**the LORD.** Hebrew. *Jehovah* . App-4 .
**Joel** = Jehovah [is] GOD.
**the son of Pethuel.** This does not imply that Pethuel was a prophet. It merely distinguishes this Joel from others of the same name.

**Hear.** Note this indication of the formula of Joel's prophetic utterances. See App-82 .
**ye.** Hebrew has no proper vocative. The simple Noun with the Article takes its place.
**old men.** Not official elders, but those whose memory goes back farthest.
**Hath . . . ?** Figure of speech *Erotesis* ( App-38 ), for emphasis. Compare [Joel 2:2](../../../kjv/joel/2/2) .

**Tell ye your children.** Ref to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 4:9](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/4/9) ; [Deuteronomy 6:6](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/6/6) , [Deuteronomy 6:7](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/6/7) ; [Deuteronomy 11:19](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/11/19) ). App-92 . Compare [Psalms 78:3-8](../../../kjv/psalms/78/3-8) .
**children** = sons. Note the Figure of speech *Climax* ( App-6 ).

**That which,** &c. Reference to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 28:38](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/28/38) ). Compare [Joel 2:25](../../../kjv/joel/2/25) . The English of this verse is beautifully idiomatic, but twelve Hebrew words condense the whole. See below.
**palmerworm.** This is named first of four different stages of the locust. English = hairy caterpiller Hebrew gazam, or the gnawer. The *pupa* stage.
**locust.** Hebrew. *'arbeh* = the swarmer. *The imago* stage.
**cankerworm** . Hebrew. *yelek* = the devourer.
**caterpillar.** Hebrew hasil = the consumer. The *larva* stage. Compare [Joel 2:25](../../../kjv/joel/2/25) , and [Nahum 3:15](../../../kjv/nahum/3/15) , [Nahum 3:16](../../../kjv/nahum/3/16) .
**These four words** show the completeness of the destroying agencies. The Heb, reads *"Gnawer's remnant,* *Swarmer eats: Swarmer's remnant,* *Devourer eats Devourer's remnant,* *Consumer eats. "*

**wine.** Hebrew. *yayin.* App-27 . L
**new wine.** Hebrew. *asis* , App-27 .

**a nation.** See [Joel 2:20](../../../kjv/joel/2/20) ; and compare [Daniel 11](../../../kjv/daniel/11) . Put for the great destroying powers which are symbolized in [Joel 1:4](../../../kjv/joel/1/4)
**by the locusts.** Compare [Joel 2:2](../../../kjv/joel/2/2) , [Joel 2:11](../../../kjv/joel/2/11) , [Joel 2:25](../../../kjv/joel/2/25) .[Revelation 9](../../../kjv/revelation/9) .
**My land** . So called because Jehovah is about to put in His claim. The end-time is here referred to, when He will do this:
**"the day of the Lord".** See [Joel 1:15](../../../kjv/joel/1/15) , and [Joel 2:1](../../../kjv/joel/2/1) , &c.

**He.** The nation of [Joel 1:6](../../../kjv/joel/1/6) .
**My vine . . . My fig tree** . Note this "My", for Jehovah is about to recover His People Israel, as the issue of "the day of the Loan". Compare [Psalms 80:8](../../../kjv/psalms/80/8) , [Psalms 80:14](../../../kjv/psalms/80/14) .[Isaiah 5:1-6](../../../kjv/isaiah/5/1-6) ; [Isaiah 27:2](../../../kjv/isaiah/27/2) .[Hosea 10:1](../../../kjv/hosea/10/1) . Also for the fig-tree compare [Hosea 9:10](../../../kjv/hosea/9/10) . [Matthew 21:19](../../../kjv/matthew/21/19) . [Luke 13:6](../../../kjv/luke/13/6) , [Luke 13:7](../../../kjv/luke/13/7) .
**barked** = reduced to splinters or chips. Hebrew &c *kezaphah* . Occurs only here. The root is connected with foam, compare [Hosea 10:7](../../../kjv/hosea/10/7) .

**Lament.** Feminine. agreeing with "land", [Joel 1:6](../../../kjv/joel/1/6) .

**meat offering =** the meal or gift offering. Hebrew. *minchah.* See App-43 . Reference to Pentateuch ([Leviticus 2](../../../kjv/leviticus/2) ). App-92 . Compare [Joel 2:14](../../../kjv/joel/2/14) .
**drink offering** . Ref to Pentateuch ([Exodus 29:40](../../../kjv/exodus/29/40) . [Leviticus 23:13](../../../kjv/leviticus/23/13) .[Numbers 15:3-10](../../../kjv/numbers/15/3-10); [Numbers 15:3-10](../../../kjv/numbers/15/3-10) ) and App-92 . See App-43 .
**ministers.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Numbers 3:6](../../../kjv/numbers/3/6) , &c.) App-92 .
**field . . . wasted.** Note the Figure of speech *Paronomasia* ( App-6 ). Hebrew. *shuddad. . . sadeh*
**land** = soil. Hebrew 'adamah Not the same word as in verses: [Joel 2:6](../../../kjv/joel/2/6) , [Joel 2:14](../../../kjv/joel/2/14) , &c., in this book; but the same as in [Joel 2:21](../../../kjv/joel/2/21) . Verses 10-12 show why the offerings cannot be brought.
**new wine.** Hebrew tirosh. App-27 . Same word as in [Joel 2:19](../../../kjv/joel/2/19) , [Joel 2:24](../../../kjv/joel/2/24) . Not the some as in [Joel 1:5](../../../kjv/joel/1/5) and Joe 8:18 .

**men.** Hebrew. *'adam.* App-14 .

**ministers of the altar.** Reference to Pentateuch ([Exodus 30:20](../../../kjv/exodus/30/20) ). App-92 .
**lie all night** , &c. The symbol of mourning; p. [2 Samuel 12:16](../../../kjv/2-samuel/12/16) .
**God.** Hebrew. *Elohim* . App-4 .

**a solemn assembly** = a day of restraint. Hebrew. *'azarah.* Occurs only here, in [Joel 2:15](../../../kjv/joel/2/15) ; [2 Kings 10:20](../../../kjv/2-kings/10/20) ; and [Isaiah 1:13](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/13) . Reference to Pentateuch ([Leviticus 23:36](../../../kjv/leviticus/23/36) . [Numbers 29:35](../../../kjv/numbers/29/35) .[Deuteronomy 16:8](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/16/8); [Deuteronomy 16:8](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/16/8) ) where the feminine form *'azereth* is used ( App-92 ). It is found also in [2 Chronicles 7:9](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/7/9) , [Nehemiah 8:18](../../../kjv/nehemiah/8/18) .
**gather the elders.** There being no mention of a king in this book is held by some as pointing to the time of Athaliah's usurpation. But see notes on p. 1224, and App-77 .

**the day of the LORD.** See note on [Isaiah 2:12](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/12) . This is the great subject of Joel's prophecy, already the. "at hand".
**destruction from the ALMIGHTY** . Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ). Hebrew. *ke shod mishshaddai =* mighty destruction from the Almighty. Compare [Isaiah 13:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/13/6) .
**the ALMIGHTY** = the All-bountiful. Hebrew. *Shaddai.* App-4 . In this connection it is similar to "the wrath of the Lamb" ([Revelation 6:16](../../../kjv/revelation/6/16) , [Revelation 6:17](../../../kjv/revelation/6/17) ) in its violent contrast.

**Is not . . . ?** Figure of speech *Erotesis.* App-6 .
**joy and gladness.** Ref to Pentateuch ([Deuteronomy 12:6](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/12/6) , [Deuteronomy 12:7](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/12/7) ; [Deuteronomy 16:11](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/16/11) , [Deuteronomy 16:14](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/16/14) , [Deuteronomy 16:15](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/16/15) ).

**The seed,** &c. Note the Figure of speech Anabasis ( App-6 ) in this verse.

**the beasts,** Compare nos. Joe 4:3

**to Thee will I cry.** Compare [Psalms 50:15](../../../kjv/psalms/50/15) .
**the fire** . Compare [Joel 2:3](../../../kjv/joel/2/3) .
**wilderness** = common land.

**rivers** = waters of the *Aphikim. See* note on "channels", [2 Samuel 22:16](../../../kjv/2-samuel/22/16) .

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