Joel is addressing the elders, the leaders of the people. They were often people of an older age as well. They have become leaders of the people and therefore have great responsibility.
The elders
are the local authorities, cf. Judges 8:14. Also during the period of the kings, the cities retained a significant degree of independence, and the institution of the elders remained of great importance. This is how they are also referred to here as the leaders and representatives of the people.
The Hebrew word for elders
may also indicate age, and can be translated as the older ones
or as the gray-haired
. However, here we would rather be thinking of the office of the elders. In the case of grey-haired, it would be strange for the prophet to address only
one specific age group. With elders, one associates it more with the people and their
leaders. Cf. also vs. 14, where an appeal is made for a public profession of guilt, and where it is rather natural that the elders would lead by example.1
2 Hear this, you elders; give ear, all inhabitants of the land! Has such a thing happened in your days, or in the days of your fathers?