Joel 2:13

Translations

Modern

So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Traditional

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Literal

And rend your heart and not your garments. May you return to YHWH your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and great in loving devotion, and relenting from harm.

Latin

Et scindite corda vestra, et non vestimenta vestra; et convertimini ad Dominum Deum vestrum, quia benignus et misericors est, patiens et multæ misericordiæ, et præstabilis super malitia.

Original

Hebrew

English

So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Notes

Joel 2:13

In the ancient world, people showed grief by tearing their clothes (Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 3:31; 2 Kings 19:1).
rend your hearts: In Hebrew culture, the heart represents thought, faith, and will. God wanted people to repent inwardly, not just outwardly. This meant changing their mindset, priorities, and attitudes. They could only do this by returning to the Lord.
For He is gracious and compassionate … abounding in loving devotion: The people's only hope was in the Lord's merciful nature (see also Exodus 34:6–7; Numbers 14:18; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Jonah 4:2). God wants to forgive and restore his people, not punish them.

Joel 2:12–17

Joel urges the people to repent and rely on the mercy of their compassionate God.

Joel 1:1–2:17

The prophet Joel describes a severe locust plague that struck Judah and Jerusalem.

Theme notes and profiles

Apostasy and Renewal God’s Change of Mind Retribution

Events

Prophecies of Joelc. 820 BC

Related verses

Psalm 86:15
But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness.
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.
Isaiah 57:15
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
Exodus 34:6–7
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,
Matthew 5:3–4
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Micah 7:18
Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
James 1:19–20
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
Psalm 86:5
For You, O Lord, are kind and forgiving, rich in loving devotion to all who call on You.
Jeremiah 18:7–8
At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed.
Psalm 103:8
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
Jonah 4:2
So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster.

Glossary

Book of Joel Darkness Heart Locusts Mercy New Covenant Patience Psalms, Book of Wrath of God

Topics

Fasting: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To God: Longsuffering of Hyke or Upper Garment was the Garment: Rent in Token of Grief Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Rending: Figurative Repentance: Attributed to God Repentance: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Seekers: General Scriptures Concerning The Anger of God is Averted Upon Confession of Sin and Repentance The Mercy of God: Manifested: To Returning Backsliders The Patience of God: An Encouragement to Repent

Joel 2:13

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Original?

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Events?

Related verses?

Glossary?

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Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics