Original Word: יוֹאֵל
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yow'el
Pronunciation: yo-EL
Phonetic Spelling: (yo-ale')
KJV: Joel
NASB: Joel
Word Origin: [from H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) and H410 (אֵל - God)]

1. Jehovah (is his) God
2. Joel, the name of twelve Israelites

Joel

From Yhovah and 'el; Jehovah (is his) God; Joel, the name of twelve Israelites -- Joel.

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW 'el

Word Origin
from Yhvh and el
Definition
probably "the LORD is God," the name of a number of Isr.
NASB Translation
Joel (20).

יוֺאֵל proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Ἰωηλ (usually interpreted as ׳י is God, compare אֵלִיָּהוּ; but Phoenician יאל ֗֗֗ CIS^{i. 132 l. 4 & in} יאלפעל (Louvre) apparently proper name, of deity, perhaps = Iolaos, CIS^{i. p. 163 & references}; see also Nes^{Eg 86} RS^{K 301}; Nes strong-willed, compare ויל, ואל Sinaitic Inscription , see ואלו Eut^{Sin. Inschr. No.5} + often, yet compare Dr^{stud. Bib. i. 5 n}.; W in RS^l.c. proposes connection with Arabic Wâil in proper name, of a tribe Bakr Wâil (√ take refuge) compare RS^{K 194}) —

1 Samuel's firstborn 1 Samuel 8:2, 1 Chronicles 6:18; insert also v.1 Chronicles 6:13 after ᵐ5^L Ἰωηλ (compare Dr 1 Samuel 8:2).

2 a Simeonite prince 1 Chronicles 4:35.

3 a Reubenite 1 Chronicles 5:4,8.

4 a Gadite chief 1 Chronicles 5:12.

5 a chief man of Issachar 1 Chronicles 7:3.

6 one of David's heroes 1 Chronicles 11:38.

7 a chief of Manassesh 1 Chronicles 27:20.

8 a Jew of Ezra's time Ezra 10:43.

9 a Benjamite Nehemiah 11:9.

10 the prophet, son of Pethuel Joel 1:1.

11 Levites

a. 1 Chronicles 6:21;

b.2Chronicles 29:12;

c. 1 Chronicles 15:7,11,17, perhaps=

d. 1 Chronicles 23:8; 1 Chronicles 26:22.

יוֺאָשׁ see יְהוֺאָשׁ.

יוֺזָבָד see יְהוֺזָבָד. p.220.

Occurrences and Distribution

The name appears nineteen times, spanning every major period of Old-Testament history—from the judges to the post-exilic community. The breadth of use shows how widely the faith of Israel embraced the conviction embodied by the name and how the LORD used men so named in varied callings.

Joel son of Samuel (1 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 6:33)

Samuel’s firstborn was set as a judge in Beersheba, yet “his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain” (1 Samuel 8:3). Israel’s request for a king followed, marking a watershed in redemptive history. In the Levitical register he re-appears as father of Heman, chief musician in David’s choir, showing that God still drew good from a flawed beginning.

Joels among the Eastern Tribes (1 Chronicles 5:4, 8, 12)

Within Reuben and Gad the name is linked to frontier leadership. One Joel heads a Reubenite clan whose lines led raids deep into the Hagrite lands; another is listed as chief in Gad, “Joel was the chief, Shapham the second” (1 Chronicles 5:12). These notices underscore the role of covenant faith in the defense and expansion of Israel’s borders.

Joel of Simeon (1 Chronicles 4:35)

Numbered among Simeonite princes who cleared the land of Meunites, this Joel typifies zeal for purity inside Israel’s inheritance, echoing the tribe’s earlier alliance with Judah.

Joel of Issachar (1 Chronicles 7:3)

Named with his brothers as “chief men,” he shows the name’s reach into the northern tribes and their participation in national leadership.

Joels in David’s Reign

• Mighty warrior: “Joel the brother of Nathan” ranks among David’s elite thirty (1 Chronicles 11:38).
• Levite chiefs: When David gathered Levites to bring the Ark, “from the descendants of Gershom, Joel the chief” led 130 relatives (1 Chronicles 15:7; cf. verses 11, 17). His presence highlights the re-ordering of worship around the Ark.
• Administration: “From the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joel son of Pedaiah” served as royal overseer (1 Chronicles 27:20), reflecting the king’s practice of appointing godly men over civil matters.

Levite Joels and Temple Service (1 Chronicles 23:8; 26:22; 2 Chronicles 29:12)

Descendants of Ladan and Jehiel named Joel assisted in treasury duties and later in Hezekiah’s reform. “The Levites set to work: … Joel son of Azariah” (2 Chronicles 29:12) indicates a heritage of responsiveness to calls for revival.

Post-Exilic Joels (Ezra 10:43; Nehemiah 11:9)

During Ezra’s crisis a Joel of Nebo repented of intermarriage, illustrating corporate contrition. In Nehemiah, “Joel son of Zicri was the chief officer over them” (Nehemiah 11:9), demonstrating restored governance in Jerusalem.

The Prophet Joel son of Pethuel (Joel 1:1)

Chosen to proclaim the Day of the LORD, he interpreted a locust plague as divine summons to repentance and foretold the Spirit’s outpouring later cited by Peter at Pentecost (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21). His ministry anchors the eschatological hope shared by later prophets and the New Testament.

Theological Themes

1. Leadership and Accountability: The failed judgeship of Samuel’s son contrasts with the faithful service of later Joels, teaching that lineage alone does not guarantee righteousness.
2. Worship Renewal: Multiple Levite Joels participate in music, ark procession, treasuries, and reform, affirming the centrality of ordered worship.
3. Repentance and Restoration: From Ezra’s lists to the prophet’s call, each occurrence reminds readers that return to the LORD brings renewal.
4. Eschatological Hope: The prophet Joel’s vision of final judgment and universal blessing ties the diverse bearers of the name to God’s unfolding redemptive plan.

Practical Reflections

• A godly heritage is a gift, yet each generation must personally embrace obedience.
• Service, whether martial, musical, or administrative, gains significance when dedicated to the LORD.
• National or personal crises are invitations to repentance, as modeled by the Joels of Ezra and the book of Joel.
• Prophetic assurance of the Spirit’s outpouring calls believers to live expectantly, confident that God will fulfill every word He has spoken.

וְיוֹאֵ֑ל וְיוֹאֵ֖ל וְיוֹאֵ֣ל וְיוֹאֵ֥ל וְיוֹאֵ֧ל ויואל יוֹאֵ֑ל יוֹאֵ֔ל יוֹאֵ֖ל יוֹאֵ֣ל יוֹאֵל֙ יואל veyoEl wə·yō·w·’êl wəyōw’êl yō·w·’êl yoEl yōw’êlInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts