controversy in the speeches of Elihu and the address of Jehovah, followed
by Job’s humble confession (42:1-6) of his own fault and folly.
(3.) The third division is the historical conclusion, in prose (42:7-15).
Sir J. W. Dawson in “The Expositor” says: “It would now seem that the
language and theology of the book of Job can be better explained by
supposing it to be a portion of Minean [Southern Arabia] literature
obtained by Moses in Midian than in any other way. This view also agrees
better than any other with its references to natural objects, the art of
mining, and other matters.”
- JOCHEBED Jehovah is her glory, the wife of Amram, and the mother of
Miriam, Aaron, and Moses (Numbers 26:59). She is spoken of as the
sister of Kohath, Amram’s father (Exodus 6:20; comp. 16, 18; 2:1-10). - JOEL Jehovah is his God. (1.) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons
appointed by him as judges in Beersheba (1 Samuel 8:2). (See VASHNI
Ø(n/a).) (2.) A descendant of Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:4,8). (3.) One of
David’s famous warriors (1 Chronicles 11:38). (4.) A Levite of the family
of Gershom (1 Chronicles 15:7, 11). (5.) 1 Chronicles 7:3. (6.) 1 Chronicles
27:20. (7.) The second of the twelve minor prophets. He was the son of
Pethuel. His personal history is only known from his book. - JOELAH a Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chronicles 12:7).
- JOEL, BOOK OF Joel was probably a resident in Judah, as his
commission was to that people. He makes frequent mention of Judah and
Jerusalem (1:14; 2:1, 15, 32; 3:1, 12, 17, 20, 21).
He probably flourished in the reign of Uzziah (about B.C. 800), and was
contemporary with Amos and Isaiah.
The contents of this book are, (1.) A prophecy of a great public calamity
then impending over the land, consisting of a want of water and an
extraordinary plague of locusts (1:1-2:11). (2.) The prophet then calls on
his countrymen to repent and to turn to God, assuring them of his
readiness to forgive (2:12-17), and foretelling the restoration of the land to
its accustomed fruitfulness (18-26). (3.) Then follows a Messianic
prophecy, quoted by Peter (Acts 2:39). (4.) Finally, the prophet foretells
portents and judgments as destined to fall on the enemies of God (ch. 3,
but in the Hebrew text 4).