The word of the LORD that came to Joel the son of Pethuel.
The word of the Lord that came to Joel. He records nothing of himself except his divine commission. He desired to live as before God, and to be known among men only as the voice which gave utterance to the word of the Lord that came to him. He would have us to receive his word as not his own, but the word of Yahweh which shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35).
Joel - meaning, Yahweh is God.
Son of Pethuel - to distinguish Joel the prophet, from others of the name. Persons of eminence also were noted by adding the father's name.