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JochebedAid to Bible Understanding
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the Tribe. The length of time makes it impossible for her to have been Levi’s personal child.”
If, on the other hand, the Masoretic text is correct at Exodus 6:20 (backed up as it is by the Samaritan Pentateuch, Vulgate and various manuscripts), and Jochebed was indeed Amram’s aunt and not his cousin, then the knotty problems of chronology that result may be resolved in the following manner:
Leah married Jacob in 1774 B.C.E., and her third child Levi was born about 1771. (Gen. 29:21-23, 32-34) At the time Levi entered Egypt in 1728, he was probably forty-three years old, and had three sons, one of whom was Kohath. (Gen. 46:8, 11) Levi’s wife could have been as young as fifteen at the time. In 1634 Levi died at the age of 137 (Ex. 6:16), and he could have fathered Jochebed perhaps ten or twenty years before his death. If Jochebed was born ten years before her father’s death, or in 1644, she would have been only fifty-one years old when Moses was born in 1593. (At the time of Israel’s exodus from Egypt, 1513, Moses was eighty years old.—Acts 7:23, 30) But what about Jochebed’s mother? If she was also Kohath’s mother and at least fifteen years old when entering Egypt, then in 1644, the possible year of Jochebed’s birth, she would have been ninety-nine years old, far beyond the age of childbearing. (Sarah had stopped menstruating by the time she was eighty-nine.—Gen. 17:17; 18:11) So, granting the possibility that Jochebed’s father was Levi, her mother must have been someone younger than Kohath’s mother. In this case Jochebed, though only a half sister to Kohath, would have been an aunt to Amram.
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JodaAid to Bible Understanding
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JODA
(Joʹda).
Ancestor of Jesus’ mother Mary; listed third in descent from Zerubbabel.—Luke 3:26, 27.
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JoedAid to Bible Understanding
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JOED
(Joʹed) [Jehovah is a witness].
A Benjamite whose descendant Sallu was a postexilic resident of Jerusalem.—Neh. 11:4, 7.
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JoelAid to Bible Understanding
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JOEL
(Joʹel) [Jehovah is God).
1. A descendant of Issachar and family head in his tribe.—1 Chron. 7:1-4.
2. A descendant of Levi’s son Kohath; “son of Azariah” and forefather of No. 5 below.—1 Chron. 6:36-38.
3. A Reubenite whose descendant Beerah was taken into exile by Assyrian King Tiglath-pilneser (Tiglath-pileser).—1 Chron. 5:3-10.
4. A headman of the Gadites living in Bashan.—1 Chron. 5:11, 12.
5. The firstborn son of the prophet Samuel; a descendant of No. 2 above and father of Heman the Levitical singer. (1 Chron. 6:28, 33, 36; 15:17) Joel and his younger brother Abijah had been appointed by their father to be judges, but their dishonesty in office gave the people an excuse to ask for a human king.—1 Sam. 8:1-5.
At 1 Chronicles 6:28 the Masoretic text (and certain translations) says “Vashni” was ‘Samuel’s firstborn. Scholars, however, generally agree that “Joel” was in the original Hebrew, a reading retained by the Syriac and one edition of the Septuagint. (Compare verse 28 and 1 Samuel 8:2.) Similarity between “Joel” and the ending of a preceding word in the text possibly caused a scribe inadvertently to drop the name “Joel” altogether. Seemingly, he then mistook the following word (Heb., wash·niʹ, meaning “and the second [son]”) for the proper name “Vashni,” and inserted the letter waw (“and”) before the name Abijah.
6. One of David’s mighty men; brother of Nathan.—1 Chron. 11:26, 38.
7. A Gershonite Levite of the house of Ladan; son of Jehiel(i). (1 Chron. 23:7, 8) Joel the chief and 130 of his brothers sanctified themselves and helped bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. (1 Chron. 15:4, 7, 11-14) Joel and his brother Zetham were later appointed as overseers of the sanctuary treasures.—1 Chron. 26:21, 22.
8. A prince, during David’s reign, of that part of Manasseh W of the Jordan; son of Pedaiah.—1 Chron. 27:20-22.
9. A prophet of Jehovah and writer of the Bible book bearing his name. He was the son of Pethuel.—Joel 1:1; see JOEL, BOOK OF.
10. A Kohathite Levite; son of Azariah. In the first year of Hezekiah, Joel helped take the unclean objects removed from the temple by the priests to the Kidron Valley for disposal.—2 Chron. 29:1, 3, 12, 15, 16.
11. One of several Simeonite chieftains who, in Hezekiah’s day, took by force the land of certain Hamites and the Meunim to expand their pasturage.—1 Chron. 4:24, 35, 38-41.
12. One of the sons of Nebo who dismissed their foreign wives and sons in Ezra’s day.—Ezra 10:43, 44.
13. An overseer of those Benjamites living in Jerusalem during Nehemiah’s governorship; son of Zichri.—Neh. 11:4, 7-9.
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Joel, Book ofAid to Bible Understanding
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JOEL, BOOK OF
An inspired book of the Hebrew Scriptures written by “Joel the son of Pethuel.” (Joel 1:1) Virtually nothing is known about this prophet’s life. From his references to Judah, Jerusalem and Jehovah’s house there, it may be inferred that he prophesied in Judah and perhaps resided in Jerusalem. (Joel 1:9, 14; 2:17, 32; 3:1, 2, 16-20) The fact that he mentioned the “low plain of Jehoshaphat” (Joel 3:2, 12) implies that he wrote his book after Jehoshaphat began ruling. But the exact period involved is in question.
TIME OF WRITING
Scholars variously assign the book of Joel dates before 800 B.C.E. or after 500 B.C.E. Regarding their arguments in favor of a late or an early composition for the book, The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia (Vol. III, p. 1690) observes: “Many of the arguments adduced are of a negative kind, i.e. consideration of what the prophet does not mention or refer to [including the Chaldeans, the Assyrians, a Judean king and the ten-tribe kingdom], and the argument from silence is notoriously precarious.” Similarly, whether Joel quoted other prophets or was quoted by them cannot be established with certainty. A date after the Babylonian exile would be indicated if Joel (2:32) quoted Obadiah (17). On the other hand, not only Obadiah, but even the much earlier prophet Amos (compare Joel 3:16 with Amos 1:2) may have quoted from Joel. This would mean that Joel must have written his book no later than the time of Uzziah (Amos 1:1), perhaps about 820 B.C.E. Though not conclusive, the place occupied by the book of Joel in the Hebrew canon between Hosea and Amos seems to favor the earlier period.
AUTHENTICITY
The Jews did not question the canonicity of the book of Joel but placed it second among the “Minor Prophets.” It also harmonizes completely with the rest of the Scriptures, as evident from the numerous parallels between Joel and other Bible books. (Compare Joel 2:2 with Zephaniah 1:14, 15; Joel 2:4, 5, 10 with Revelation 9:2, 7-9; Joel 2:11 with Malachi 4:5; Joel 2:12 with Jeremiah 4:1; Joel 2:13 with Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86:15, and 106:45; Joel 2:31 with Isaiah 13:9, 10, Matthew 24:29, 30, and Revelation 6:12-17.) The fulfillment of Joel’s prophecies furnishes yet another argument for its authenticity. As foretold, Tyre, Philistia and Edom experienced Jehovah’s judgments. (Joel 3:4, 19; for details, see EDOM, EDOMITE; PHILISTIA, PHILISTINES; TYRE.) On the day of Pentecost in the year 33 C.E. the apostle Peter showed that the outpouring of God’s spirit upon the disciples of Jesus Christ was a fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy. (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:17-21) Later, the apostle Paul applied the prophetic words found at Joel 2:32 to both Jews and non-Jews who call upon Jehovah in faith.—Rom. 10:12, 13.
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
I. Jehovah’s word about a severe insect plague (1:1-14)
A. A plague so great as to be talked about for generations to come (1:1-4)
1. Drunkards to wake up, howl and weep because devastation by numberless “nation” strips land bare, cutting off supply of sweet wine (1:5-8)
2. Wheat, barley, vine and trees affected to such an extent that grain offering and drink offering cease at Jehovah’s house, causing priests to mourn (1:9-12)
B. Priests urged to put on sackcloth, sanctify time of fasting, assemble older men to Jehovah’s house and cry to Him for aid (1:13, 14)
II. “The day of Jehovah is near” (1:15-20)
A. Jehovah’s day marked by invasion of “his military force,” a numerous and mighty people resembling horses; ‘ahead of it a fire devours and behind it a flame consumes’ (2:1-11)
B. Call for all to come back to Jehovah with complete hearts, as he is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and will answer prayer of his repentant people (2:12-19)
1. Jehovah to disperse “northerner” in their behalf (2:20)
2. To bless his repentant people with abundant crops, make compensation for injury done by great military force of insects and afterward to pour out his spirit on every sort of flesh (2:21-29)
C. Portents in heavens and on earth to precede coming of Jehovah’s day (2:30, 31)
D. Those calling on Jehovah’s name to escape his fear-inspiring day (2:32)
III. When captives of Judah and Jerusalem restored, nations to be judged for violence done to them (3:1-3)
A. For selling Judeans, Tyre, Sidon and Philistia to have sons and daughters sold into hands of Judeans who, in turn, will sell them to men of Sheba (3:4-8)
B. Nations to prepare for war and come down to low plain of Jehoshaphat, there to experience winepress treatment (3:9-15)
1. Jehovah to protect his people when executing judgment upon nations (3:16)
2. Judgment resulting in his people coming to know him as their God and Jerusalem becoming a holy place with no strangers passing through (3:17)
C. Egypt to become a desolate waste and Edom a wilderness, but the land of Judah to produce abundantly and to be inhabited for time indefinite, the blood of its inhabitants being considered innocent by Jehovah (3:18-21)
See the book “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,” pp. 146-148.
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JoelahAid to Bible Understanding
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JOELAH
(Jo·eʹlah) [possibly, may he avail!].
One of the warriors who came to David at Ziklag; son of Jeroham of Gedor.—1 Chron. 12:1, 7.
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JoezerAid to Bible Understanding
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JOEZER
(Jo·eʹzer) [Jehovah is help].
One of the warriors who joined David at Ziklag when he was still under restrictions due to Saul; a Korahite.—1 Chron. 12:1, 2, 6.
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JogbehahAid to Bible Understanding
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JOGBEHAH
(Jogʹbe·hah) [perhaps, height].
One of the fortified cities with stone flock pens that was built or rebuilt by the Gadites before their crossing the Jordan to assist in the conquest of Canaan. (Num. 32:34-36) At a later period Judge Gideon’s forces passed Jogbehah prior to their surprise attack on the Midianite camp at Karkor. (Judg. 8:10, 11) Modern geographers usually place Jogbehah at Khirbet el-Ajbeihat, situated about 3,470 feet (c. 1,058 meters) above sea level and some six miles (c. 10 kilometers) NW of modern Amman (Rabbah).
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JogliAid to Bible Understanding
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JOGLI
(Jogʹli) [perhaps, led into exile].
A Danite whose son Bukki was chieftain of the tribe of Dan for dividing up the land of Canaan.—Num. 34:18, 22, 29.
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JohaAid to Bible Understanding
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JOHA
(Joʹha).
1. One of David’s mighty men; a Tizite.—1 Chron. 11:26, 45.
2. Head of a Benjamite family that lived in Jerusalem; son or descendant of Beriah.—1 Chron. 8:1, 16, 28.
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JohananAid to Bible Understanding
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JOHANAN
(Jo·haʹnan) [contracted form of Jehohanan, “Jehovah has been gracious”].
The English name John stems from this Hebrew name.
1. An ambidextrous mighty Benjamite, one of the skilled warriors who joined David at Ziklag.—1 Chron. 12:1-4.
2. A Gadite officer, one of eleven exceptional fighters who came to David’s side in the wilderness.—1 Chron. 12:8, 12-15.
3. A high priest. It was likely his son Azariah who was high priest when King Uzziah acted presumptuously.—1 Chron. 6:9, 10; 2 Chron. 26:19, 20.
4. Firstborn son of King Josiah. (1 Chron. 3:15) Since he is nowhere mentioned in connection with succession to the throne of Judah, as are his three younger brothers, he must have died before his father’s death.—2 Ki. 23:30, 34; 24:17; Jer. 22:11; see JOSIAH No. 1.
5. One of the chiefs of the military forces remaining in Judah after the general deportation to Babylon in the summer of 607 B.C.E. This son of Kareah readily supported the appointment of Gedaliah, and, on learning of Ishmael’s plot to assassinate the governor, asked Gedaliah for permission to kill Ishmael secretly but was denied it. (Jer. 40:7, 8, 13-16) Gedaliah was assassinated, Johanan led the forces to avenge him, and persons whom Ishmael had taken captive were recovered, but the assassin himself escaped to Ammon. (Jer. 41:11-16) Fearing reprisals from the Babylonians, Johanan and the others asked the prophet Jeremiah what they should do, but, rather than follow Jehovah’s advice to remain in the land, they fled to Egypt, taking Jeremiah with them.—Jer. 42:1–43:7; 2 Ki. 25:23-26.
6. Son of Hakkatan and head of the 110 males of the paternal house of Azgad who returned with him to Jerusalem, accompanying Ezra in 468 B.C.E.—Ezra 8:1, 12.
7. Grandson of Eliashib, the high priest contemporary with Nehemiah. (Neh. 3:1; 12:22, 23) His being called Jonathan in Nehemiah 12:11 is probably due to a scribal error, as the names “Johanan” and “Jonathan” are very similar in Hebrew. Johanan is mentioned in a letter found among the Elephantine Papyri, where he is addressed as high priest.—See DARIUS No. 3; Antiquities of the Jews, Book XI, chap. VII, par. 1.
8. A descendant of Zerubbabel; he and his six brothers were the last generation of David’s descendants mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures.—1 Chron. 3:1, 5, 10, 19, 24.
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JohnAid to Bible Understanding
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JOHN
[Jehovah has been gracious].
1. John the Baptist, son of Zechariah and Elizabeth; the forerunner of Jesus. Both of John’s parents were of the priestly house of Aaron. Zechariah was a priest of the division of Abijah.—Luke 1:5, 6.
MIRACULOUS BIRTH
In the year 3 B.C.E., during the assigned time of service of the division of Abijah, it became Zechariah’s turn to enjoy the rare privilege of offering incense in
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