Joel facts for kids

The name Joel (sometimes spelled Yoel) comes from ancient Hebrew and means "Yahweh is God." This name has been used for thousands of years and appears in many cultures around the world. It is a popular name for boys and has been carried by important figures in history, including a prophet in the Bible.

The Prophet Joel

One of the most famous people named Joel is a prophet from ancient Israel. He lived a very long time ago, possibly around the 9th or 5th century BC, though historians are not completely sure. Prophets were special messengers who shared God's word with people. They often warned people about bad things that might happen if they did not follow God's rules, and they also offered messages of hope.

The Book of Joel: What It Says

The prophet Joel wrote a book in the Bible called the Book of Joel. It is part of the Old Testament, which is the first part of the Christian Bible, and also part of the Jewish Tanakh. This book is quite short, with only three chapters.

The Book of Joel talks about a terrible disaster that happened in Judah, which was a kingdom in ancient Israel. A huge swarm of locusts, which are like grasshoppers, destroyed all the crops and plants. This caused a severe famine, meaning there was not enough food. Joel described this event as a "day of the Lord," a time when God would judge the people.

Joel used the locust plague as a warning. He told the people to turn back to God, to be sorry for their mistakes, and to pray. He promised that if they did, God would forgive them and restore their land. The book also speaks about a future time when God would pour out his spirit on all people, which is a message of hope and renewal.

Other Famous Joels

The name Joel has been used by many other people throughout history and in modern times.

Joel as a Given Name and Surname

Many people today have Joel as their first name, and it is also used as a surname (a family name). You might know someone named Joel, or perhaps someone whose last name is Joel.

Joel in Sports

Some famous athletes have also carried the name Joel. For example, there have been Brazilian football (soccer) players named Joel:

• Joel de Oliveira Monteiro (born 1904): He was a goalkeeper who played for Brazil's national team.
• Joel Bertoti Padilha (born 1980): He was a centre-back, another position in football.

Places Named Joel

The name Joel can also be found in place names, especially in the United States:

• Joel, Georgia: This is a small community located in the state of Georgia.
• Joel, Wisconsin: This is another community, found in the state of Wisconsin.

See also

In Spanish: Joel para niños