Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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JOEL

1. the older son of Samuel, the Israelite judge. He was appointed a judge in turn by his father, but failed to win public respect. He accepted bribes and perverted justice. The elders protested to Samuel and urged him to choose a king (I Samuel 8:1-5). Reluctant at first, Samuel was ordered by Yahweh to comply with their request. Saul became the new king of Israel (I Samuel 11:15); 2. the son of Pethuel who became a prophet in Judah and wrote one of the books of the Old Testament (Book of Joel). He is referred to as the prophet of Pentecost because he emphasized the future coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17). Peter quoted him in the Acts of the Apostles on Pentecost day in lines that include the familiar promise "Your young men shall see visions; your old mane shall dream dreams" (Joel 3:1).

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