a date early in the monarchic period is unlikely.16 On the other end of the spectrum, pushing Joel into the Ptolemaic and Maccabean periods is a significant departure from the overall consensus. A singular reference to Egypt, without any further links to the situation of this late date, does not provide sufficient evidence. The remaining four options all have elements that render them plausible. However, each depends on arguments from inference, using Joel’s references and imagery to establish the