Introduction to Joel (Pioneer Bible Translators)

(Pioneer Bible Translators and The Word for the World use the following introduction in many of their translation projects around the world.)

This book contains the prophecies of Joel. Not much is known about Joel or his father Pethuel. Throughout the Bible, he is only mentioned in this book and in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:17–21). Scholars do not know when Joel lived or when this book was written. Joel mentions Judah and Jerusalem, so it is likely that he ministered there.

Like many other prophets in the Bible, Joel speaks of coming judgment for both the nations of the world and Judah. He urged everyone to repent, to humble themselves, and to seek God (2:12). Then God promised to pour out his Spirit on all people (2:28). Peter the Apostle proclaimed that this promise was being fulfilled at the feast of Pentecost (Acts 2:17).

Outline:

1. Chapters 1-2:17 talk about a plague of locusts in the land.
2. Chapters 2:18-3 explain that God will save his people and their land.

This work is owned by Pioneer Bible Translators International and The World for the World International and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License .

Translation: French

Introduction à Joël

Ce livre contient les prophéties de Joël. On sait peu de choses au sujet de Joël ou de son père Petuel. Dans toute la Bible, on ne le mentionne que dans ce livre et dans les Actes des Apôtres (Actes 2.16-21). Les experts ne savent pas quand Joël a vécu ni quand on a écrit ce livre. Joël mentionne Juda et Jérusalem, donc il est probable qu’il y a exercé son ministère.

Comme beaucoup d’autres prophètes de la Bible, Joël parle du jugement à venir et pour les nations du monde et pour Israël et Juda. Il a exhorté tout le monde à se repentir, à s’humilier et à rechercher Dieu (2.12). Puis Dieu a promis de répandre son Esprit sur tout être humain (3.1-5). L’apôtre Pierre a proclamé que cette promesse était en train de s’accomplir à la fête de la Pentecôte (Actes 2.16-21).

Résumé de Joël

1. Les chapitres 1-2.17 parlent d’une une invasion de sauterelles dans le pays.
2. Les chapitres 2.18-4 expliquent que Dieu sauvera son peuple et leur pays.

Translation: Swahili

Utangulizi wa Yoeli

Kitabu hiki kina unabii wa Yoeli. Haijulikani sana kuhusu Yoeli au baba yake Pethuel. Katika Bibilia yote, ametajwa tu katika kitabu hiki na katika Matendo ya Mitume (Matendo 2: 17-21). Wasomi hawajui Yoeli aliishi lini au lini kitabu hiki kiliandikwa. Yoeli anataja Yuda na Yerusalemu, kwa hivyo kuna uwezekano kwamba alihudumu huko.

Kama manabii wengine wengi katika Biblia, Yoeli anazungumza juu ya hukumu inayokuja kwa mataifa yote ya ulimwengu na Judah. Alimuhimiza kila mtu atubu, ajinyenyekeze, na amtafute Mungu (2:12). Ndipo Mungu akaahidi kumwaga Roho wake juu ya watu wote (2:28). Mtume Petro alitangaza kwamba ahadi hii ilikuwa ikitimizwa katika sikukuu ya Pentekoste (Matendo 2:17).

Muhtasari:

1. Sura ya 1-2: 17 inazungumzia juu ya pigo la nzige katika nchi.
2. Sura 2: 18-3 zinaelezea kwamba Mungu atawaokoa watu wake na nchi yao.

Introduction to Joel (Christian Community Bible)

(The Catholic Christian Community Bible [first English edition 1997, other translations into Indonesian, Chinese, Cebuano, Chavacano, French, Ilonggo, Korean, Quechuan, Spanish, and Tagalog] “for the Christian Communities of the Third World” uses the following introduction.)

The Biblical prophets knew that everything is temporary in our world. In every event threatening the lives of the people, they saw the coming of the Lord who judges this world in order to establish the final world.

Joel speaks when the land is invaded by locusts. The people are looking at their ruined fields and their lost crops. Joel looks beyond: The day of Yahweh is exceedingly great, terrible and dreadful — who can endure it?

Along with the promise of freedom from this plague, God also promises a happy age in which there will be neither grief nor fear. A day is announced when God will give the Spirit of the prophets to all his children: for the church, Joel is the prophet who announced Pentecost, as Peter said on that day (see Acts 2:17).

Down below are the introductions in the Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog, Cebuano, and Spanish editions.

Translation: Mandarin Chinese

圣经中的先知明白这个世界一定会过去。先知在每一件威胁人们生命的事件中，看到上主的来临，祂为建立最终的永恒秩序要来审判此世。

岳厄尔借大地饱受蝗灾之时说话了。人们难过的是自己的田地和谷物受损，岳厄尔则看得更远：雅威的日子实在伟大，令人震撼，谁能抵挡？在这次灾难中天主除了许诺解除灾害之外，还宣布了将会有一个没有忧愁恐惧的快乐年代。岳厄尔宣告有一天，天主将把本来只保留给先知的灵性也赐给所有子民。对于教会来说，宣布五旬节的先知正是岳厄尔，伯多禄只是将之记载下来而已（宗2:17）。

Translation: Tagalog

Alam ng mga propeta sa Biblia na pansamantala lamang ang lahat sa mundong ito. Sa bawat pangyayaring nagbabanta sa buhay ng kanilang bayan, nakita nila ang pagdating ni Yawe na naghuhukom sa mundong ito para maitatag ang walang-hanggan at ganap na daigdig.

Nangungusap si Joel samantalang nilulusob ng mga balang ang lupain. Tinitingnan ng mga tao ang mga wasak nilang bukirin at nasirang pananim. Sa mas malayo naman nakatingin si Joel: Ipinaririnig ni Yawe ang kanyang tinig, sino ang makatatagal sa kanyang pagdating?

Kasabay ng pangako ng pagpapalaya mula sa salot na ito, ibinabalita rin ng Diyos ang masayang panahon na di na magkakaroon pa ng pighati ni takot. Ibinabalita ang araw na ibibigay ng Diyos sa lahat niyang mga anak ang Espiritu ng mga propeta: para sa Iglesya, si Joel ang propetang nagbabalita sa Araw ng Pentekostes (tingnan ang Mga Gawa 2:17).

Translation: Cebuano

Ang mga propeta sa Biblia nasayod nga ang tanang butang lumalabay lang sa atong kalibotan. Sa matag hitabo nga naghulga sa kinabuhi sa katawhan, ilang makit-an ang pag-abot sa Ginoo nga naghukom ining kalibotana aron pagtukod sa tiunay nga kalibotan.

Si Joel naghisgot sa yuta nga gihugpaan sa mga dulon. Ang katawhan naglantaw sa nadaot nga kaumahan ug sa nangawala nga abot. Si Joel naglantaw sa labaw pa ini: Walay makatupong sa kainila, kagrabi, ug kamakahahadlok sa adlaw ni Yahweh – kinsa ang makaagwanta ini?

Dungan sa panaad sa kagawasan gikan ining maong kalaglagan, ang Ginoo nagbalita sab sa malipayong tuig kanus-a wala nay kaguol, ni kahadlok. Ang adlaw gibalita na kanus-a ang Ginoo mohatag sa Espiritu sa mga propeta ngadto sa tanan niyang mga anak: alang sa Simbahan. Si Joel propeta nga nagbalita sa Pagkunsad sa Espiritu Santo (tan-awa ang Buhat 2:17)

Translation: Spanish

Los profetas de la Biblia sabían que todo es provisorio en el mundo actual. En cada acontecimiento que amenazaba la vida de su pueblo, reconocían la venida de Yavé, que juzga al mundo presente para instaurar lo definitivo.

Joel habla con ocasión de una invasión de langostas. La gente contempla sus campos devastados y las cosechas perdidas. Joel ve más allá: Yavé hace oír su voz, ¿quién podrá soportar su venida? Y también Dios, al prometer la liberación de dicha plaga, anuncia el tiempo feliz en que no habrá ya ni dolor ni temor. Se anuncia el día en que Dios dará a todos sus hijos el Espíritu de los profetas. Para la Iglesia, Joel es el profeta que anunció el día de Pentecostés (ver He 2,17).