Another Look at the Book of Joel Quiz

Answer: King James Bible

While it is more common to find four chapters in the Book of Joel, an exception to this is found in the King James translation. There, the second and third chapters are combined into a single thirty-two verse chapter (twenty-seven verses from Chapter Two and five verses from Chapter Three). The entire book is less than 100 verses.

Answer: Joel is the son of Pethuel

In the very first verse (1:1 NIV) it is mentioned that Joel is the son of Pethuel. Since Pethuel is not mentioned again, we don't have additional information about him. The name "Joel' is generally translated as "Yahweh is God".

Answer: Locusts

Early on, reference is made to a "locust swarm" (1:4 NIV). Different subgroups of locusts are described as collectively causing a great deal of destruction. The other three choices--earthquakes, sharks, and frost--are not mentioned there.

Answer: It could be any of those times

All three of those choices are feasible (covering several hundred years -- at least 900-400 BC and possibly earlier or later). The reason is the lack of details about historical figures or other well known individuals. It is likely, though, that if it comes from the time of the kingdoms, it is a product of Judah, the southern kingdom.

Answer: Second book

The Book of Joel comes second among the Minor Prophets, after the Book of Hosea, but before the Book of Amos. The term Minor Prophets is a reference to these books being relatively brief in length as opposed to a judgment on these books being importance of the book. In the Hebrew text, this section of the Bible is the "TreiAsar" section of the "Nev'im" or "Prophets".

Answer: No

The Book of Joel holds a somewhat unique place in the Bible. While he says the people have sinned and will be punished, it is never stated what the exact sin was. The implication is that you have followed along with the other parts of the Bible and you are aware of what sins have committed.

Answer: Heart

"Rend your heart
And not your garments" (2:13 NIV)

It is suggested that the repentance of the people must be genuine (going deep) and not just on the surface. He suggests that God will approve of a genuine change and would be merciful rather than harsh in that case. This is something that has occurred in the past.

Answer: Red Sea

"I will drive the northern horde far from you,
Pushing it into a parched and barren land;
Its eastern ranks will drown in the Dead Sea
And its western ranks in the Mediterranean Sea" (2:20 NIV)

While all three bodies of water border Israel, the Red Sea is not mentioned in the chapter. The Mediterranean Sea borders Israel on the west and was one of the most important bodies of water for the Roman Empire. The Dead Sea borders Israel on the east and has the lowest elevation of any surface on the Earth.

Answer: Males

"They cast lots for my people
And traded boys for prostitutes;
They sold girls for wine to drink." (3:3 NIV)

It is clear that this is the fate for both (captured) female and males. It is unclear (at least to me) why there are different fates for males and females. The text also implies that those who sell/trade the males and females will be punished in turn.

Answer: Buckets

"Beat your plowshares into swords
And your pruning hooks into spears." (3:10 NIV)

Both swords and spears are offensive weapons of war. They could be made by a blacksmith from the plowshares and pruning hooks. The plowshare is the leading metal blade of a plow which cuts through the soil first. A pruning hook would be used to trim or shape a tree.