Joel 2:14

Return with All Your Heart · Joel 2:12–17
Read Joel 2

Translations

Modern
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.
Traditional
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?
Literal
Who knows if He will turn and relent, and will leave behind Him a blessing—a grain offering and a drink offering for YHWH your God?
Latin
Quis scit si convertatur, et ignoscat, et relinquat post se benedictionem, sacrificium et libamen Domino Deo vestro?

Original

Hebrew
English
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

Notes

Who knows?: Joel’s simple question acknowledges God's complete control (see also Jonah 3:9). God does not have to restore us just because we perform certain rituals. Forgiveness comes only through divine grace, but Joel knew that God was willing to forgive (Joel 2:13).

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

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

Events

Glossary

Book of Joel Darkness Day of the Lord Locusts New Covenant Psalms, Book of Wrath of God

Topics

Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments The Anger of God is Averted Upon Confession of Sin and Repentance