Joel - Concordia Commentary
Dig into the background, translation, style, and the historical interpretation of the Book of Joel, a book of comfort and hope for believers who are suffering.
If you ask average Bible readers what they know about the book of Joel, they might answer with one word: “Locusts!” This is not a bad memory hook, because a debilitating locust plague provides the backdrop of the book and a portion of its contents. Due to locusts, the people of Judah were in a wretched condition— suffering a national catastrophe— when God inspired the prophet Joel to bring a message to them.
What does Joel tell the desperate people to do in their crisis? Rev Thomas P. Nass digs into the background, translation, style, and historical interpretation of this Minor Prophet. The Book of Joel is a book of comfort and hope for believers who are suffering. For people who feel that they are at the end of their rope, God paints a glorious picture of better days to come.
Featuring Excursuses on:
- Were the Old Testament Prophets at Odds with the Priests?
- Fasting
- Law and Gospel in Joel and the Prophets
- The Trinity in the Old Testament
- and many more.
Endorsements
Joel’s book “begins with unbearable pain and ... ends with unbelievable peace” (page 564). Fittingly, then—in addition to explaining the linguistic details—this volume carefully examines the place of Joel’s LawGospel polarity in Scripture as a whole. Whether as regards philology and textual criticism or interpretive history and Lutheran theology, readers will discover valu able comments on this paradigmatic prophecy.
—Timothy J. Matthies II, Professor, Asia Lutheran Seminary, Hong Kong
What is “the day of the Lord” all about, and why is this important? We find reliable answers in this exegetically precise, theologically rich commentary on the prophet Joel by Prof. Thomas Nass. The author insightfully unpacks the dramatic imagery and rhetorical forms that charac terize the Hebrew poetic text, with special attention being devoted to its important discourse structural arrangement and contemporary expression via a dynamic new English translation. This commentary, including twentyone scholarly excursuses on a variety of salient topics, is the product of a lifelong study, the fruits of which will be of great benefit to pastors, teachers, and all serious students of Scripture.
—Ernst R. Wendland, Stellenbosch University—Ancient Studies, Stellenbosch, South Africa; South African Theological Seminary, Sandton, South Africa
This book is a true labor of love—for God’s Word and God’s people—and it shows on every page. Here is not only an academically creditable study of the biblical text but also a virtual hand book on how a confessional Lutheran hermeneutic applies to the OT—and what this means for Gospel ministry. For many readers, this will be your first experience with the unique blend of depth and accessibility that characterizes all of Prof. Nass’ work. If so, you are in for a treat!
—Kenneth A. Cherney, Jr., Professor of Old Testament and Systematic Theology, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin
I wish all theological commentaries were flowing with milk and honey like Thomas Nass’ volume on Joel. It is thorough, very readable, lively, and loaded with comforting application. There is no sleight of hand or “locust pocus” behind Nass’ exegesis. His conclusions are sensible because he lets Scripture interpret Scripture. The same meticulous professor who can “chase rabbits” in the thickets of Hebrew grammar can also prepare passionate words like these: “Goodness! We have rich food for faith here as believers in Christ. God promises provision, peace, and his pres ence—now on earth in the church militant and forever in heaven as the church triumphant. Let’s eat!” (page 389). Nass serves a rich feast in this commentary on Joel.
—Adolph L. Harstad, Professor Emeritus, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota
After decades teaching and studying Joel’s scroll, is there a Joel question Thomas Nass has not considered? What God inspired to break your heart Nass elucidates from his gentle heart. Sharp as glass, clear as glass—here you will see what Joel’s original says and what it means today. Welcome to practical scholarship where the Gospel predominates. Good beyond hope.
— Daniel A. Witte, Director of the Confessional Lutheran Institute in Africa, Lusaka, Zambia
About the series
The Concordia Commentary Series: A Theological Exposition of Sacred Scripture is written to enable pastors and teachers of the Word to proclaim the Gospel with greater insight, clarity, and faithfulness to the divine intent of the Biblical text.
The series will cover all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament, with an original translation and meticulous grammatical analysis of the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek of each text. The foremost interpretive lens centers on the unified proclamation of the person and work of Christ across every Scriptural book.
The Commentary fully affirms the divine inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Scripture; Each passage bears witness to the confession that God has reconciled the world to Himself through the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ His Son.
Authors expose the rich treasury of language, imagery, and thematic content of the Scripture while supplementing their work with additional research in archaeology, history, and extrabiblical literature. Throughout, God’s Word emanates from authors' careful attention and inculcates the ongoing life of the Church in Word, Sacrament, and daily confession.
| Product Form | Hardback |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2023 |
| Number of Pages | 609 |
| ISBN-13 | 9780758671790 |
| Language | English |
| Books of Bible | Joel |
| Series | Concordia Commentary |
| Section of Bible | Old Testament |
| Authors | Thomas P. Nass |
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