I. Natural Disasters and Agricultural Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Locusts (Cutting locust, swarming locust, hopping locust, destroying locust) (Joel 1:4; 2:25): Various types or developmental stages of locusts, a species of grasshopper known for forming massive, destructive swarms that consume all vegetation in their path. Joel uses a devastating locust plague as a central image for divine judgment and a call to repentance. The different terms likely emphasize the thoroughness and successive waves of the destruction.;xNLx;Grain offering (Hebrew: minchah) (Joel 1:9, 13; 2:14): An offering made to God, typically consisting of fine flour, unleavened cakes, or parched grain, often mixed with oil and frankincense. It was a regular part of Temple worship, and its cessation due to the locust plague signified a profound crisis and disruption of the relationship with God.;xNLx;Drink offering (Hebrew: nesek) (Joel 1:9, 13; 2:14): An offering of wine poured out before the LORD, usually accompanying burnt offerings and grain offerings in Temple worship. Its cutting off, like that of the grain offering, indicated a severe disruption of religious life and agricultural devastation.;xNLx;Vine / Fig tree (Joel 1:7, 12; 2:22): Key agricultural plants in ancient Israel, symbolizing prosperity and God's blessing. Their destruction by locusts or drought signified national calamity and divine judgment.;xNLx;Threshing floor (Joel 2:24): A hard, flat surface where harvested grain was threshed (beaten or trodden) to separate the kernels from the stalks and husks. An empty threshing floor would symbolize famine and agricultural failure.;xNLx;Wine vats / Winepress (Joel 2:24; 3:13): Containers or excavated areas where grapes were trodden to extract juice for making wine. Overflowing vats symbolized abundance and blessing; empty or destroyed ones signified disaster. In Joel 3:13, the full winepress is a metaphor for the ripeness of the nations for God's judgment.;xNLx;Seed shrivels (Joel 1:17): Describes the effect of severe drought, where seeds fail to germinate or young plants wither due to lack of moisture.;xNLx;Barns / Storehouses / Granaries (Joel 1:17): Structures used for storing harvested grain. Their desolation or emptiness signifies famine.;xNLx;II. "The Day of the LORD" and Judgment:;xNLx;;xNLx;The Day of the LORD (Joel 1:15; 2:1, 11, 31; 3:14): A crucial eschatological (end-times related) concept in Old Testament prophecy. It refers to a specific time, or series of events, when God directly and decisively intervenes in human history for judgment and/or salvation. In Joel, it is depicted as:;xNLx;A time of imminent and terrifying judgment upon Judah (symbolized by the locust plague and drought).;xNLx;A future, cosmic event involving judgment on all nations.;xNLx;A time of deliverance and restoration for God's repentant people. It is a day of darkness, gloom, and awesome divine power.;xNLx;Shaddai / Almighty (Joel 1:15): A traditional name for God, often translated "Almighty," emphasizing His immense power and sovereignty, particularly in the context of bringing about judgment ("destruction from the Almighty").;xNLx;Multitudes (in the valley of decision) (Joel 3:14): Great throngs or crowds of people (representing the nations) gathered for judgment in "the valley of decision.";xNLx;Valley of Decision / Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 12, 14): A symbolic location where God will gather all nations to judge them for their treatment of His people Israel. "Jehoshaphat" means "Yahweh judges." It is not necessarily a literal geographical place known by this name in Joel's time, but a place of divine judgment.;xNLx;Execute judgment (Joel 3:2, 12): To carry out or implement divine justice, involving condemnation and punishment for wrongdoing.;xNLx;III. Repentance and Religious Practice:;xNLx;;xNLx;Consecrate a fast (Joel 1:14; 2:15): To set apart or dedicate a time for fasting as a religious observance. Fasting (abstaining from food and often drink) was a common expression of mourning, repentance, and seeking God's favor in times of crisis.;xNLx;Solemn assembly (Joel 1:14; 2:15-16): A sacred or formal gathering of the people for religious purposes, such as public prayer, fasting, and seeking God in response to calamity or for festival observance.;xNLx;Rend your hearts and not your garments (Joel 2:13): A call for genuine, inward repentance rather than merely outward displays of sorrow. Tearing one's clothes was a traditional sign of grief or distress, but God desires a true change of heart and attitude.;xNLx;Return to the LORD (Joel 2:12-13): To turn back to God in repentance, forsaking sin and seeking His forgiveness and fellowship.;xNLx;Priests, ministers of the LORD / ministers of the altar (Joel 1:9, 13; 2:17): Those from the tribe of Levi (specifically descendants of Aaron for priesthood) who were responsible for leading worship, offering sacrifices, and interceding for the people at the Temple. Joel calls them to lead in lamentation and repentance.;xNLx;Portico / Porch (Joel 2:17): An entrance hall or covered area, likely referring to the vestibule or porch at the entrance of the Temple, between which and the altar the priests were to weep and pray.;xNLx;Jealous / Zealous (for his land) (Joel 2:18): God's intense love, possessiveness, and protective concern for His land and His people, motivating Him to act for their restoration when they repent.;xNLx;Reproach (Joel 2:17, 19): Shame, disgrace, or an object of contempt or scorn. God promises to remove the reproach from His people.;xNLx;IV. Restoration and Future Hope:;xNLx;;xNLx;Outpouring of the Spirit / Pour out my Spirit (Joel 2:28-29): A significant prophecy of a future time when God will generously bestow His Spirit upon all kinds of people ("all flesh"), regardless of age, gender, or social status, leading to prophecy, dreams, and visions. This prophecy is famously quoted by Peter in Acts 2 as being fulfilled at Pentecost.;xNLx;Wonders / Portents (Joel 2:30): Extraordinary or supernatural signs and events in the heavens and on earth (blood, fire, columns of smoke, darkened sun, moon to blood) that will precede or accompany the great and awesome day of the LORD.;xNLx;Zion / Mount Zion (Joel 2:1, 15, 23, 32; 3:16, 17, 21): The hill in Jerusalem where the Temple stood; often used symbolically for Jerusalem itself, as the place of God's special dwelling, worship, and the center from which salvation and deliverance will come for those who call on His name.;xNLx;Jerusalem (Joel 2:32; 3:1, 6, 16-17, 20): The capital city of Judah, the holy city, which was devastated but is promised future restoration, holiness, and security.;xNLx;Former rain and latter rain / Autumn rain and spring rain (Joel 2:23): The seasonal rains crucial for agriculture in Palestine. The early rain (autumn) prepared the ground for planting, and the latter rain (spring) helped the crops mature. Their restoration symbolizes God's renewed blessing, agricultural abundance, and the reversal of the drought. (The ESV translates "teacher of righteousness" or "early rain for your vindication" for one of these terms, highlighting a possible double meaning or interpretive tradition).;xNLx;New wine and oil (Joel 2:19, 24; 3:18): Symbols of agricultural abundance, prosperity, and God's blessing, which will be restored to the repentant people.;xNLx;Refuge / Stronghold (Joel 3:16): God will be a place of safety and protection for His people in the midst of cosmic upheaval and judgment upon the nations.;xNLx;This list should provide clarity on some of the key vocabulary and concepts in the Book of Joel (ESV), helping the reader to better understand its message of judgment, its urgent call to repentance, and its ultimate promise of God's merciful restoration and spiritual renewal.