Yoel 1 | The Locust Plague

Sefer Yoel, which consists of four chapters, is one of the most puzzling books in Tanakh. The text does not explicitly state when these prophecies were delivered, and commentators and scholars have proposed numerous theories regarding its historical context. Another distinctive feature of the book is the complete absence of rebuke. While it describes a dire and desperate situation in great detail, it does not specify any sins that the people must rectify.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part (Chapters 1–2) describes a severe calamity, primarily focusing on a massive locust plague. The second part (Chapters 3–4) contains a prophecy of redemption, seemingly directed at a people in distress. This prophecy centers on confronting the foreign nations that have opposed Yehuda and Jerusalem.

Chapter 1 provides an extensive depiction of the locust plague: “What remains after the chewer-locusts will be eaten by the locusts; what remains after the locusts will be eaten by the springing-locusts; what remains after the springing-locusts will be eaten by the finisher-locusts” (1:4). The passage uses multiple synonyms  (ארבה, ילק, חסיל) for “locust” within a single verse. The chapter describes the devastation and despair in detail. Initially, it focuses on the agricultural aspect — the destruction of the vine and fig tree and the shame of the farmers and vineyard keepers. It then shifts to the perspective of the priests — since the crops have perished, the Temple service is also disrupted: “Don sackcloth – mourn, O priests… for grain offerings and 14 libations have been cut off from the House of your God” (1:13). Finally, the chapter mentions even the helplessness of the animals: “O, the animals, how they moan… for they are without pasturage” (1:18).

Chapter 2 is somewhat perplexing. On the one hand, it seems to continue discussing the severe locust plague, but on the other, it employs military terminology, describing an advancing enemy army. Professor Elie Assis suggests in his book (The Book of Joel: A Prophet between Calamity and Hope) that Yoel’s challenge is to address a nation devastated by destruction and remind them of the possibility of calling out to God and returning to Him. The political and military situation is particularly sensitive, as that is where the people’s despair is most pronounced. Yoel begins his prophecy by addressing the more immediate and tangible crisis — the locust plague — using it as a means to urge the people to cry out to God. Gradually, his words take on a dual meaning, referring both to the locusts and to foreign enemies, until the book concludes with a prophecy of national redemption.

Professor Assis’s explanation also clarifies why there are no rebukes in the book. He argues that this prophecy was delivered either during or shortly after the destruction. At that moment, the priority is not to urge the people to correct a particular sin but rather to instill in them a much more fundamental awareness — the recognition that hope is possible, that they can turn to God in prayer and repentance.