Comentario del capítulo
Joel Capítulo 1
서론
Introduction
繁體中文
Original en inglés
INTRODUCTION
JOEL (meaning "one to whom Jehovah is God," that is, worshipper of Jehovah) seems to have belonged to Judah, as no reference occurs to Israel; whereas he speaks of Jerusalem, the temple, the priests, and the ceremonies, as if he were intimately familiar with them (compare
Joe 1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 2, 6, 16, 17, 20, 21).
His predictions were probably delivered in the early days of Joash 870-865 B.C.; for no reference is made in them to the Babylonian, Assyrian, or even the Syrian invasion; and the only enemies mentioned are the Philistines, Phœnicians, Edomites, and Egyptians
(Joe 3:4, 19).
Had he lived after Joash, he would doubtless have mentioned the Syrians among the enemies whom he enumerates since they took Jerusalem and carried off immense spoil to Damascus
(2Ch 24:23, 24).
No idolatry is mentioned; and the temple services, the priesthood, and other institutions of the theocracy, are represented as flourishing. This all answers to the state of things under the high priesthood of Jehoiada, through whom Joash had been placed on the throne and who lived in the early years of Joash
(2Ki 11:17, 18; 12:2-16; 2Ch 24:4-14).
He was the son of Pethuel.
The first chapter describes the desolation caused by an inroad of locusts--one of the instruments of divine judgment mentioned by Moses
(De 28:38, 39)
and by Solomon
(1Ki 8:37).
The second chapter
(Joe 2:1-11):
the appearance of them, under images of a hostile army suggesting that the locusts were symbols and forerunners of a more terrible scourge, namely, foreign enemies who would consume all before them. (The absence of mention of personal injury to the inhabitants is not a just objection to the figurative interpretation; for the figure is consistent throughout in attributing to the locusts only injury to vegetation, thereby injuring indirectly man and beast).
Joe 2:12-17:
exhortation to repentance, the result of which will be: God will deliver His people, the former and latter rains shall return to fertilize their desolated lands, and these shall be the pledge of the spiritual outpouring of grace beginning with Judah, and thence extending to "all flesh."
Joe 2:18-3:21:
God's judgments on Judah's enemies, whereas Judah shall be established for ever.
Joel's style is pre-eminently pure. It is characterized by smoothness and fluency in the rhythms, roundness in the sentences, and regularity in the parallelisms. With the strength of Micah it combines the tenderness of Jeremiah, the vividness of Nahum, and the sublimity of Isaiah. As a specimen of his style take the second chapter wherein the terrible aspect of the locusts, their rapidity, irresistible progress, noisy din, and instinct-taught power of marshalling their forces for their career of devastation, are painted with graphic reality.
1
Joe 1:1-20.
繁體中文
Joe 1:1-20.
蝗災致使全地荒涼的景象； 勸誡百姓在聖殿獻上 莊嚴的禱告； 因為這場災禍是更重災禍的預兆。
1. 約珥——意為「耶和華是神」。
毗土珥的兒子——為要將先知約珥與其他同名者區分開來。顯赫之人也常以加上父親的名字來標明。
Original en inglés
Joe 1:1-20.
THE DESOLATE ASPECT OF THE COUNTRY THROUGH THE PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS; THE PEOPLE ADMONISHED TO OFFER SOLEMN PRAYERS IN THE TEMPLE; FOR THIS CALAMITY IS THE EARNEST OF A STILL HEAVIER ONE.
1. Joel--meaning, "Jehovah is God."
son of Pethuel--to distinguish Joel the prophet from others of the name. Persons of eminence also were noted by adding the father's name.
2
Sin título
繁體中文
2、3. 呼籲人留意的生動引言。
老年人——在關於過往之事的疑問上，他們是最有資格的判斷者
(De 32:7; Job 32:7)。
這樣的事曾發生過嗎——即：曾有過如此嚴重的災禍像這樣嗎？自從在埃及的那次蝗災以來，未曾有過這樣的蝗災。
Ex 10:14
與本節並不矛盾，因為本節指的是猶大，約珥說此地此前未曾有過這樣的毀壞。
Original en inglés
2, 3. A spirited introduction calling attention.
old men--the best judges in question concerning the past
(De 32:7; Job 32:7).
Hath this been, &c.--that is, Hath any so grievous a calamity as this ever been before? No such plague of locusts had been since the ones in Egypt.
Ex 10:14
is not at variance with this verse, which refers to Judea, in which Joel says there had been no such devastation before.
3
Sin título
繁體中文
3. 你們要將這事告訴你們的兒女——為要使他們因這刑罰的嚴厲而敬畏神
(Ps 78:6-8；
比較
Ex 13:8; Jos 4:7)。
Original en inglés
3. Tell ye your children--in order that they may be admonished by the severity of the punishment to fear God
(Ps 78:6-8;
compare
Ex 13:8; Jos 4:7).
4
Sin título
繁體中文
4. 本節陳述了他後來所要詳述的主題。所指的乃是蝗蟲的四個種類或階段，而非四種不同的昆蟲（參
Le 11:22）。
字面意義為：(1) 剪咬的蝗蟲；(2) 成群的蝗蟲；(3) 舐食的蝗蟲；(4) 吞滅的蝗蟲； 層層遞進，直至最具毀滅性的一種。最後一種常有3英寸長，兩根觸角各長1英寸。牠六腳中後面的兩隻較其餘的更大，適於跳躍。第一種是春季剛剛從卵中孵出、尚無翅膀的蝗蟲。第二種是春末時，蝗蟲仍在第一層皮內，生出無腿無翅的小蟲。第三種是牠們第三次蛻去舊皮之後，長出小翅，使牠們更善於跳躍，卻不能飛。牠們因翅膀尚未成熟而不能離去，於是吃盡面前的一切——青草、灌木與樹皮：譯作「粗糙的毛蟲」
(Jer 51:27)。
第四種是成熟有翅的蝗蟲（見
Na 3:16
的註釋）。
Joe 2:25
中倒序列舉牠們，那裡應許要補還牠們所造成的毀壞。希伯來人認為第一種指亞述與巴比倫；第二種指瑪代波斯；第三種指希臘馬其頓與安提阿古·伊皮法尼；第四種指羅馬人。雖然首要的指涉是字面的蝗蟲，但聖靈無疑也顧及了先後侵犯猶大、每一國比前一國更惡、以羅馬為頂峰的歷代帝國。
Original en inglés
4. This verse states the subject on which he afterwards expands. Four species or stages of locusts, rather than four different insects, are meant (compare
Le 11:22).
Literally, (1) the gnawing locust; (2) the swarming locust; (3) the licking locust; (4) the consuming locust; forming a climax to the most destructive kind. The last is often three inches long, and the two antennæ, each an inch long. The two hinder of its six feet are larger than the rest, adapting it for leaping. The first "kind" is that of the locust, having just emerged from the egg in spring, and without wings. The second is when at the end of spring, still in their first skin, the locusts put forth little ones without legs or wings. The third, when after their third casting of the old skin, they get small wings, which enable them to leap the better, but not to fly. Being unable to go away till their wings are matured, they devour all before them, grass, shrubs, and bark of trees: translated "rough caterpillars"
(Jer 51:27).
The fourth kind, the matured winged locusts (see on
Na 3:16).
In
Joe 2:25
they are enumerated in the reverse order, where the restoration of the devastations caused by them is promised. The Hebrews make the first species refer to Assyria and Babylon; the second species, to Medo-Persia; the third, to Greco-Macedonia and Antiochus Epiphanes; the fourth, to the Romans. Though the primary reference be to literal locusts, the Holy Spirit doubtless had in view the successive empires which assailed Judea, each worse than its predecessor, Rome being the climax.
5
Sin título
繁體中文
5. 醒過來——從你們醉酒昏迷的平常狀態中醒過來，好意識到你們所鍾愛的飲料已從你們中間斷絕。就連酒醉的人（出自一希伯來文字根，意為「任何烈酒」）也必被迫「哀號」，儘管他們平日在最大的國家災難中仍嬉笑度日，因為這場災禍如此明顯且普遍，必影響眾人。
酒……甜酒——「新」或「鮮酒」，在希伯來文中指未經發酵、因此不會令人醉酒的甜汁，是用壓榨法從葡萄或其他果子，如石榴
(So 8:2)
中取得的。「酒」則單指葡萄的釀成品，會令人醉酒（見
Joe 1:10
的註釋）。
Original en inglés
5. Awake--out of your ordinary state of drunken stupor, to realize the cutting off from you of your favorite drink. Even the drunkards (from a Hebrew root, "any strong drink") shall be forced to "howl," though usually laughing in the midst of the greatest national calamities, so palpably and universally shall the calamity affect all.
wine . . . new wine--"New" or "fresh wine," in Hebrew, is the unfermented, and therefore unintoxicating, sweet juice extracted by pressure from grapes or other fruit, as pomegranates
(So 8:2).
"Wine" is the produce of the grape alone, and is intoxicating (see on
Joe 1:10).
6
Sin título
繁體中文
6. 一族——應用於蝗蟲，而非「一民」
(Pr 30:25, 26)，
不僅為標記牠們的數目，更是為標記牠們的兇猛敵意；也是為了預備聽者的心，以迎接第二章中寓意的蝗蟲，即來攻擊猶大的「一族」或外邦仇敵（參
Joe 2:2）。
我的地——即耶和華的地；若不是我樂意施行懲罰，這地絕不會如此被毀
(Joe 2:18; Isa 14:25; Jer 16:18; Eze 36:5; 38:16)。
強盛——其密集的群體勢不可擋，將人辛勤勞硜的果實一掃而空。
不可勝數——如
Jud 6:5; 7:12，
「如蝗蟲那樣眾多」
(Jer 46:23; Na 3:15)。
牙齒……獅子——即蝗蟲的破壞力猶如獅子；沒有任何植被能抵擋牠們的啃咬（參
Re 9:8）。
PLINY（普林尼）說：「牠們連房屋的門都要啃咬。」
Original en inglés
6. nation--applied to the locusts, rather than "people"
(Pr 30:25, 26),
to mark not only their numbers, but also their savage hostility; and also to prepare the mind of the hearer for the transition to the figurative locusts in the second chapter, namely, the "nation" or Gentile foe coming against Judea (compare
Joe 2:2).
my land--that is, Jehovah's; which never would have been so devastated were I not pleased to inflict punishment
(Joe 2:18; Isa 14:25; Jer 16:18; Eze 36:5; 38:16).
strong--as irresistibly sweeping away before its compact body the fruits of man's industry.
without number--so
Jud 6:5; 7:12,
"like grasshoppers (or "locusts") for multitude"
(Jer 46:23; Na 3:15).
teeth . . . lion--that is, the locusts are as destructive as a lion; there is no vegetation that can resist their bite (compare
Re 9:8).
PLINY says "they gnaw even the doors of houses."
7
Sin título
繁體中文
7. 剶皮——BOCHART依照七十士譯本與敘利亞譯本，從一個阿拉伯文字根譯作「折斷」，即蝗蟲最喜食用的嫩芽。CALVIN支持英文版的譯法。
我的葡萄樹……我的無花果樹——因在「我的地」，即耶和華之地
(Joe 1:6)。
關於古巴勒斯坦盛產葡萄的情形，見
Nu 13:23, 24。
拋露——拋露於地。
枝條……發白——一方面因樹皮被剝去
(Ge 30:37)，
另一方面因樹幹被底下的蝗蟲啃食殆盡，樹皮木質俱盡，枝條因之枯乾。
Original en inglés
7. barked--BOCHART, with the Septuagint and Syriac, translates, from an Arabic root, "hath broken," namely, the topmost shoots, which locusts most feed on. CALVIN supports English Version.
my vine . . . my fig tree--being in "My land," that is, Jehovah's
(Joe 1:6).
As to the vine-abounding nature of ancient Palestine, see
Nu 13:23, 24.
cast it away--down to the ground.
branches . . . white--both from the bark being stripped off
(Ge 30:37),
and from the branches drying up through the trunk, both bark and wood being eaten up below by the locusts.
8
Sin título
繁體中文
8. 哀號——我的「地」啊
(Joe 1:6; Isa 24:4)。
童女……為丈夫——已許配的童女被視為已出嫁
(De 22:23; Mt 1:19)。
希伯來文中「丈夫」一詞即「主」或「擁有者」，因為在東方丈夫被視為妻子的主人。
幼年所許配的——那時情感最為熾烈，因此喪失親人的悲傷也最為銳利。這暗示錫安應為她與耶和華——她幼年所許配的丈夫——的分離而有的哀傷（參
Jer 2:2; Eze 16:8; Ho 2:7；
比較
Pr 2:17; Jer 3:4）。
Original en inglés
8. Lament--O "my land"
(Joe 1:6; Isa 24:4).
virgin . . . for the husband--A virgin betrothed was regarded as married
(De 22:23; Mt 1:19).
The Hebrew for "husband" is "lord" or "possessor," the husband being considered the master of the wife in the East.
of her youth--when the affections are strongest and when sorrow at bereavement is consequently keenest. Suggesting the thought of what Zion's grief ought to be for her separation from Jehovah, the betrothed husband of her early days
(Jer 2:2; Eze 16:8; Ho 2:7;
compare
Pr 2:17; Jer 3:4).
9
Sin título
繁體中文
9. 對於一個敬虔的猶太人而言，最大的憂傷，也是最能叫全國體會神不悅的事，就是聖殿常規事奉的中止。
素祭——希伯來文 mincha；「素祭」在英文意義上不是「肉」，而是由細麵、油與乳香製成的無血祭。由於它與隨附一切獻祭性肉祭同獻的奠祭或奠祭者澆奠一同獻上，所以後者也包含在內，雖未明言，卻也「斷絕」了，因為人畜都無食物可吃。
祭司……哀號——不是因他們喪失了祭物的份額
(Nu 18:8-15)，
而是因為他們不能再向所事奉的耶和華獻上所定的祭物。
Original en inglés
9. The greatest sorrow to the mind of a religious Jew, and what ought to impress the whole nation with a sense of God's displeasure, is the cessation of the usual temple-worship.
meat offering--Hebrew, mincha; "meat" not in the English sense "flesh," but the unbloody offering made of flour, oil, and frankincense. As it and the drink offering or libation poured out accompanied every sacrificial flesh offering, the latter is included, though not specified, as being also "cut off," owing to there being no food left for man or beast.
priests . . . mourn--not for their own loss of sacrificial perquisites
(Nu 18:8-15),
but because they can no longer offer the appointed offerings to Jehovah, to whom they minister.
10
Sin título
繁體中文
10. 田野……土地——二者不同：「田野」指開闊、沒有圍欄的鄉野；「土地」指適於耕作的肥沃紅土（源自動詞字根「為紅」）。因此希伯來文中「田野的人」是「獵戶」；「地上的人」或「土地的人」是「農人」
(Ge 25:27)。
「田野」與「土地」在此都被擬人化了。
甜酒——源出一個希伯來文字根，意為它佔據人的頭腦，使人不能自主。阿拉伯文術語同樣源出一個意為「採獲」的字根。它已經發酵，因此會令人醉酒，與甜鮮酒不同（見
Joe 1:5，
那裡也稱為「甜酒」，雖然是另一個希伯來文詞）。它與「油」代表葡萄樹與橄欖樹，酒與油就是從其上得到的
(Joe 1:12)。
枯乾——不是如旁註所說的「羞愧」，因為與「衰殘」（即衰敗）平行，足以證明其意義。
Original en inglés
10. field . . . land--differing in that "field" means the open, unenclosed country; "land," the rich red soil (from a root "to be red") fit for cultivation. Thus, "a man of the field," in Hebrew, is a "hunter"; a "man of the ground" or "land," an "agriculturist"
(Ge 25:27).
"Field" and "land" are here personified.
new wine--from a Hebrew root implying that it takes possession of the brain, so that a man is not master of himself. So the Arabic term is from a root "to hold captive." It is already fermented, and so intoxicating, unlike the sweet fresh wine, in
Joe 1:5,
called also "new wine," though a different Hebrew word. It and "the oil" stand for the vine and the olive tree, from which the "wine" and "oil" are obtained
(Joe 1:12).
dried up--not "ashamed," as Margin, as is proved by the parallelism to "languisheth," that is, droopeth.
11
Sin título
繁體中文
11. 要……羞愧——即你們必因「小麥」與「大麥……收成」的失敗而感到失望的羞愧。
哀號……葡萄園護守者——分號應跟隨其後，因為應當為「小麥」而「羞愧」的是「農人」。至於「葡萄園護守者」被叫去「哀號」的原因，要到
Joe 1:12
才提出：「葡萄樹枯乾。」
Original en inglés
11. Be . . . ashamed--that is, Ye shall have the shame of disappointment on account of the failure of "the wheat" and "barley . . . harvest."
howl . . . vine dressers--The semicolon should follow, as it is the "husbandmen" who are to be "ashamed . . . for the wheat." The reason for the "vine dressers" being called to "howl" does not come till
Joe 1:12,
"The vine is dried up."
12
Sin título
繁體中文
12. 石榴——樹幹挺直，可長到二十英尺高；果實與橙子一般大小，肉質為血紅色。
棕樹——巴勒斯坦的棗子聞名遺邡。羅馬皇帝維斯帕先時期的錢幣上以棕樹作為猶大的象徵。牠常能長到一百英尺高。
蘋果樹——希伯來文是一總稱，包括橙樹、檸檬樹與梨樹。
快樂盡都枯乾——如在收割與葡萄收成季節所感到的那種快樂
(Ps 4:7; Isa 9:3)。
Original en inglés
12. pomegranate--a tree straight in the stem growing twenty feet high; the fruit is of the size of an orange, with blood-red colored pulp.
palm tree--The dates of Palestine were famous. The palm is the symbol of Judea on coins under the Roman emperor Vespasian. It often grows a hundred feet high.
apple tree--The Hebrew is generic, including the orange, lemon, and pear tree.
joy is withered away--such as is felt in the harvest and the vintage seasons
(Ps 4:7; Isa 9:3).
13
Sin título
繁體中文
13. 你們要束腰——即披上麻布；如
Isa 32:11
中補足了這個省略（參
Jer 4:8）。
祭司啊，要哀號——因為你們有責任為他人樹立榜樣；也因你們的罪給神的聖工帶來的過錯更重，所造成的絆跌也更大。
來——七十士譯本作「進入」神的殿（參
Joe 1:14）。
夜裡披著麻布躺在其中——如亞哈
(1Ki 21:27)。
我神的僕人——
(1Co 9:13)。
約珥為其教訓申言權柄；我是奉神的名並憑祂的差遣向你們說話。
Original en inglés
13. Gird yourselves--namely, with sackcloth; as in
Isa 32:11,
the ellipsis is supplied (compare
Jer 4:8).
lament, ye priests--as it is your duty to set the example to others; also as the guilt was greater, and a greater scandal was occasioned, by your sin to the cause of God.
come--the Septuagint, "enter" the house of God (compare
Joe 1:14).
lie all night in sackcloth--so Ahab
(1Ki 21:27).
ministers of my God--
(1Co 9:13).
Joel claims authority for his doctrine; it is in God's name and by His mission I speak to you.
14
Sin título
繁體中文
14. 分定……禁食——指定一個嚴肅的禁食日。
嚴肅會——字面為「禁止做工的日子」或停工之日，使人人都能專心祈求
(Joe 2:15, 16; 1Sa 7:5, 6; 2Ch 20:3-13)。
長老——與「孩童」
(Joe 2:16)
相對，須指年長者，不過職分上的長老可能也包括在內。他們既是百姓犯罪的領頭人，也當是他們悔改的領頭人。
Original en inglés
14. Sanctify . . . a fast--Appoint a solemn fast.
solemn assembly--literally, a "day of restraint" or cessation from work, so that all might give themselves to supplication
(Joe 2:15, 16; 1Sa 7:5, 6; 2Ch 20:3-13).
elders--The contrast to "children"
(Joe 2:16)
requires age to be intended, though probably elders in office are included. Being the people's leaders in guilt, they ought to be their leaders also in repentance.
15
Sin título
繁體中文
15. 耶和華的日子——
(Joe 2:1, 11)；
即祂發怒的日子
(Isa 13:9; Ob 15; Zep 1:7, 15)。
那將是將來耶和華作為全人類審判者之日的預覽，因此同得其名。此處開始由蝗災過渡到更嚴重的災禍
(Joe 2:1-11)，
即將要臨到猶大的入侵敵軍，蝗蟲不過是其序幕。
Original en inglés
15. day of the Lord--
(Joe 2:1, 11);
that is, the day of His anger
(Isa 13:9; Ob 15; Zep 1:7, 15).
It will be a foretaste of the coming day of the Lord as Judge of all men, whence it receives the same name. Here the transition begins from the plague of locusts to the worse calamities
(Joe 2:1-11)
from invading armies about to come on Judea, of which the locusts were the prelude.
16
Sin título
繁體中文
16. 比較
Joe 1:9，
以及
Joe 1:12
的後半。
快樂——在每年的節期所充滿的，在常規獻祭中也是如此；獻祭者在耶和華面前帶著歡樂與感恩吃喝
(De 12:6, 7, 12; 16:11, 14, 15)。
Original en inglés
16. Compare
Joe 1:9,
and latter part of
Joe 1:12.
joy--which prevailed at the annual feasts, as also in the ordinary sacrificial offerings, of which the offerers ate before the Lord with gladness and thanksgivings
(De 12:6, 7, 12; 16:11, 14, 15).
17
Sin título
繁體中文
17. 朽壞——「枯乾」、「消滅」，源出一個阿拉伯文字根[MAURER]。「種子」字面作「穀粒」。旱災使種子失去一切活力與水分。
倉房——穀倉；通常設於地下，並分為不同的隔間以存放各類穀物。
Original en inglés
17. is rotten--"is dried up," "vanishes away," from an Arabic root [MAURER]. "Seed," literally, "grains." The drought causes the seeds to lose all their vitality and moisture.
garners--granaries; generally underground, and divided into separate receptacles for the different kinds of grain.
18
Sin título
繁體中文
18. 牲畜……發昏——暗示不能言語的走獸因找不到食物而不安的動作。此處含蓄地將走獸的知覺與百姓的麻木不仁作對比。
是的，……羊群——連羊群，牠們可以滿足於不太肥沃的牧場，也找不到食物。
受荒涼——字面作「受罰」。無辜的走獸與有罪的人同受「刑罰」
(Ex 12:29; Jon 3:7; 4:11)。
Original en inglés
18. cattle . . . perplexed--implying the restless gestures of the dumb beasts in their inability to find food. There is a tacit contrast between the sense of the brute creation and the insensibility of the people.
yea, the . . . sheep--Even the sheep, which are content with less rich pasturage, cannot find food.
are made desolate--literally, "suffer punishment." The innocent brute shares the "punishment" of guilty man
(Ex 12:29; Jon 3:7; 4:11).
19
Sin título
繁體中文
19. 耶和華啊，我向你呼求——約珥在此插入說：這百姓既對羞恥與懼怕都麻木不仁，不肯聽受，我就撇下他們，直接向你訴說（參
Isa 15:5; Jer 23:9）。
火——即焦熱。
牧場——「生草之處」；源出一個希伯來文字根「可悅」。這類地方會被選為「居住之處」（旁註）。但英文版的譯法優於旁註。
Original en inglés
19. to thee will I cry--Joel here interposes, As this people is insensible to shame or fear and will not hear, I will leave them and address myself directly to Thee (compare
Isa 15:5; Jer 23:9).
fire--that is, the parching heat.
pastures--"grassy places"; from a Hebrew root "to be pleasant." Such places would be selected for "habitations" (Margin). But the English Version rendering is better than Margin.
20
Sin título
繁體中文
20. 牲畜……向你呼求——即仰起頭向天仰望，彷彿牠們唯一的指望就在於神
(Job 38:41; Ps 104:21; 145:15; 147:9；
比較
Ps 42:1)。
牠們含蓄地責備猶太人的死沉，因為他們至今仍不呼求神。
Original en inglés
20. beasts . . . cry . . . unto thee--that is, look up to heaven with heads lifted up, as if their only expectation was from God
(Job 38:41; Ps 104:21; 145:15; 147:9;
compare
Ps 42:1).
They tacitly reprove the deadness of the Jews for not even now invoking God.
引言
約珥（意為「耶和華是神的那一位」，即敬拜耶和華者）似乎屬於猶大，因為文中沒有任何關於以色列的提及；而他論及耶路撒冷、聖殿、祭司和禮儀時，彷彿對這一切十分熟悉（參
Joe 1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 2, 6, 16, 17, 20, 21）。
他的預言大概發表於約阿施初年，即主前870至865年；因為預言中沒有提及巴比倫、亞述，甚至敘利亞的入侵；所提到的仇敵只有非利士人、腓尼基人、以東人和埃及人
(Joe 3:4, 19)。
倘若他生活在約阿施之後，所列仇敵中必然也會提到敘利亞人，因為敘利亞人曾攻取耶路撒冷，並將大量掠物帶到大馬士革
(2Ch 24:23, 24)。
文中沒有提及任何偶像崇拜；聖殿事奉、祭司制度及其他神權政體的制度均被描述為興盛之狀。這一切都與耶何耶大祭司時期的情形相符——約阿施正是藉著他才得以登上王位，而耶何耶大活在約阿施初年
(2Ki 11:17, 18; 12:2-16; 2Ch 24:4-14)。
他是毗土珥的兒子。
第一章描述蝗蟲入侵所造成的荒涼——這是摩西
(De 28:38, 39)
和所羅門
(1Ki 8:37)
所提及的神審判的工具之一。
第二章
(Joe 2:1-11)：
以敵軍的形象來描繪蝗蟲的面目，暗示蝗蟲是更可怕災禍（即吞滅一切的外邦仇敵）的象徵與先驅。（未提及對居民人身的傷害，這並不能成為反對寓意解經的正當理由；因為該比喻始終一致地只把對植被的損害歸於蝗蟲，從而間接傷害人和牲畜。）
Joe 2:12-17：
勸勉悔改，其結果將是：神必拯救祂的百姓，秋雨春雨必重新降下，滋潤他們荒涼的土地，這將成為恩典屬靈澆灌的憑據，從猶大開始，繼而擴展至「凡有血氣的」。
Joe 2:18-3:21：
神對猶大仇敵的審判，而猶大必永遠堅立。
約珥的風格尤為純正。其特色在於韻律的流暢順達，語句的圓潤飽滿，以及平行體的工整有序。他的文筆兼有彌迦的力量、耶利米的溫情、那鴻的生動與以賽亞的崇高。以其第二章為例，蝗蟲可怕的形貌、迅捷的速度、勢不可擋的推進、嘈雜的喧囂，以及為肆虐之路而本能地整編隊伍的本領，皆被描繪得栩栩如生。