Who wrote Joel:

The message of Joel is consistent with the other prophets of Israel. Joel’s message is a call to repentance and regular communication with God. Joel also taught God would judge those nations who have harmed Israel.

While the message is clear, nothing is known about Joel and determining when the book was written is a difficult task. The only clue we are given regarding the identity of Joel is he is the son of Pethuel, whom we also know nothing about. Joel appears to have been written from Jerusalem. Therefore, we can determine Joel lived in Jerusalem.

The only clues we are given regarding the dating of Joel is the absence of any king of Israel mentioned. Joel also mentions the Greeks and Sabeans and the fall of Jerusalem in 587. With these clues we can assume Joel lived in Jerusalem after the exilic period and before a King was reestablished, placing Joel at approximately 500 B.C.