Joel seeks to rouse Israel from spiritual complacency, stirring them to repent (1:1–2:17) and pointing them toward a future day of the LORD full of blessings and judgment (2:18–3:21). Amos warns Israel of impending destruction and exile as divine judgment for their sins (3:13–15), and he calls the people to seek the LORD and live by hating evil, loving good, and establishing justice in the gates (5:4, 14–15).
Here are our top picks for commentaries on Joel and Amos.
Introductory Commentaries
For Sunday school teachers and small group leaders without advanced training
Joel and Amos
David Allan Hubbard
Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries
IVP Academic, 2009
A short, reliable, and accessible resource that delves into historical context, theological content, and how to practically apply Joel and Amos.
The Message of Joel, Micah and Habakkuk
David Prior
Bible Speaks Today Series
IVP Academic, 1999
Prior provides an overview of Joel, seeking to help readers understand the vivid imagery in the book and its theological significance.
Joel, Obadiah, Malachi
David W. Baker
NIV Application Commentary
Zondervan Academic, 2006
A clear and insightful commentary from a well-respected scholar. Longman writes, “He writes not only as a skilled Old Testament scholar but also as someone very in touch with life.”
Joel and Amos
Irv Busenitz and Andrew E. Hill
TGC Bible Commentary
The Gospel Coalition, 2023
These free resources from TGC are centered on the prophets’ call to repentance and their knowledge of impending divine judgment. They both offer faithful and insightful readings of the text.
Preaching Commentaries
For pastors and Bible teachers preparing to proclaim the Word
Hosea–Jonah
Douglas Stuart
Word Biblical Commentary
Zondervan Academic, 2014
An indispensable resource for pastors. Mathison notes, “He also takes a minority view on the interpretation of Joel chapter 1, seeing the locust invasion as a figurative description of a human army rather than a literal locust plague. I find his arguments persuasive on this point. Whether you agree or disagree on that point, however, his commentary is always worth consulting on these books. Very highly recommended.”
Hosea, Joel
Duane A. Garrett
New American Commentary
Holman Reference, 1997
A clear and insightful resource. The volume offers a deep but accessible study of the text. Garrett’s writing seeks to draw out the prophecies’ canonical ties and theological significance.
The Books of Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, and Micah
Leslie C. Allen
New International Commentary on the Old Testament
Eerdmans, 1976
An insightful and well-researched work. While this is often a more technical series, Allen’s volume is accessible to a larger portion of readers. He considers various dating approaches to Joel, but ultimately deems it a post-exilic work.
The Minor Prophets, Volume One: A Commentary on Hosea, Joel, Amos
Thomas Edward McComiskey, Editor
Baker Academic, 2018
This volume houses Raymond Dillard’s work on Joel and Jeff Niehaus’s writing on Amos. Readers will find an insightful commentary that melds a technical exposition of the Hebrew with informed reflections on the text.
Scholarly Commentaries
For pastors and theologians proficient in biblical Hebrew
Joel and Obadiah: A Commentary
John Barton
Old Testament Library
Westminster John Knox Press, 2001
A well-researched and insightful commentary. Longman calls it “a very well-executed historical-critical commentary. . . . Barton refuses to focus on the final form and wants to find the original setting, which will make this commentary less interesting to most, though he is an engaging writer.”
Amos
Shalom M. Paul
Hermeneia
Fortress Press, 1990
An expertly researched and clearly-written book. While Mathison does not often recommend Hermeneia commentaries, he calls this volume “the only one I would enthusiastically recommend. It is geared toward a more scholarly audience, but it is packed with helpful insight into the meaning of Amos. Very highly recommended.”
Joel, Amos, Obadiah: An Exegetical Commentary
Thomas J. Finley
Biblical Studies Press, 2013
A nearly comprehensive resource that looks at the text from various angles, assessing the text historically, literarily, politically, and theologically to name a few. Finley’s writing is clear and insightful.