Joel of Abijah called Alamoth
Son of Abia. This Sanhedrist is part of the delegation of scribes tasked with judging the case of Sabea the prophetess.[1] Unlike the majority of his colleagues, led by Sadoc the Scribe, he comes with an open and non-partisan spirit.
He is convinced of the divine power of Jesus by the resurrection of Lazarus,[2] and later joins a small group of high-born notables to secretly approach Jesus, now banished, but confidently walking towards Jerusalem where he will be crucified. These notables are Elkanah and Elijahl, the brothers of Johanna of Chuza and Judas the Sanhedrist.[3]
Character and appearance
A "runt" with a pale and thin face.
"I am a man of a delicate constitution, as You can see and You know, and I am laughed at because of that."[4]
"If nature has been hostile to my person, that has not impaired my intellect. Nay, by precluding many pleasures from me, it made a man of wisdom of me."[5]
Apostolic journey
"Master, we are not all enemies. Some of us are in a position of expectation… sincerely anxious to see the truth and follow You"[6]
Shaken by the inspired speech of the prophetess, with a few others, he will say upon leaving Jesus:
Later he confesses:
"I, Joel of Abijah, whose eyes have been blind for so long, but are now open to the Light."[8]
His name
Joel (Ioël) means "the Eternal is God" – Historical reference: the prophet who calls to reconciliation with God.
His nickname Alamot means "hidden, distant" in the feminine. In the sending of Psalm 46, it designates "the young women" (al-alamôth) according to the Osty Bible or the Vulgate. Which the Bible of the Sower translates as "soprano voice," like the Chouraqui Bible. Applied to Joel, it is a term of derision: He is indeed openly despised by his colleagues.