The Book of Joel is collected as one of the twelve minor prophets of the Nevi'im ("Prophets" ) in the Hebrew Bible, and as a book in its own right in the Christian Old Testament.

After a superscription ascribing the prophecy to Joel (son of Pethuel), the book may be broken down into the following sections:

Lament over a great locust plague and a severe drought (1:1–2:17). The effects of these events on agriculture, farmers, and on the supply of agricultural offerings for the Temple in Jerusalem, interspersed with a call to national lament (1:1–20). A more apocalyptic passage comparing the locusts to an army, and revealing that they are God's army (2:1–11). A call to national repentance in the face of God's judgment (2:12–17).[1] Promise of future blessings (2:18–32 or 2:18–3:5). Banishment of the locusts and restoration of agricultural productivity as a divine response to national penitence (2:18–27).
Future prophetic gifts to all God's people, and the safety of God's people in the face of cosmic cataclysm (2:28–32 or 3:1–5).
Coming judgment on the Kingdom of Judah's enemies: the Philistines, the Kingdom of Edom, and the Kingdom of Egypt (3:1–21 or 4:1–21).