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Joel 2:13

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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.

And rend {H7167} your heart {H3824}, and not your garments {H899}, and turn {H7725} unto the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}: for he is gracious {H2587} and merciful {H7349}, slow {H750} to anger {H639}, and of great {H7227} kindness {H2617}, and repenteth {H5162} him of the evil {H7451}.

Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to ADONAI your God. For he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change his mind about disaster.

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.

and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto Jehovah your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Commentary

Joel 2:13 is a pivotal verse in the prophet Joel's urgent call to repentance, emphasizing the nature of true turning to God. It follows a vivid description of a devastating locust plague and a national catastrophe, which Joel interprets as a warning of the coming Day of the Lord.

Context

The book of Joel primarily addresses the people of Judah, urging them to respond to a severe locust plague and drought not merely with outward expressions of mourning but with genuine spiritual transformation. In ancient Israel, rending garments was a common sign of deep distress, grief, or repentance (e.g., Genesis 37:34, 2 Samuel 1:11). Joel's prophecy here serves as a powerful reminder that God looks beyond ritualistic displays to the sincerity of the heart.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sincere Repentance vs. Outward Show: The core message is the distinction between superficial religious acts and a profound, internal change of heart. "Rend your heart, and not your garments" is a powerful metaphor for genuine sorrow over sin and a desire to turn away from it. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
  • God's Gracious Character: The verse beautifully articulates the attributes of the LORD: "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." This description of God's character is a foundational truth throughout the Old Testament, providing the basis for hope and the motivation for repentance. It assures the people that God is not eager to punish but is abundant in compassion and willing to relent from deserved judgment when His people genuinely turn to Him. This exact phrasing is also found in Jonah 4:2, highlighting a consistent divine revelation.
  • Divine Compassion and Forgiveness: The phrase "repenteth him of the evil" (or "relents concerning disaster") signifies God's willingness to change His course of action regarding impending judgment when His people truly repent. It underscores His desire for restoration over destruction.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "rend" is qara (קָרַע), meaning "to tear." Its literal use for garments contrasts sharply with its metaphorical application to the "heart," emphasizing a tearing open of one's inner being in spiritual brokenness and humility.
  • The description of God – "gracious" (chanun, חַנּוּן), "merciful" (rachum, רַחוּם), "slow to anger" ('arek 'appayim, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם, literally "long of nostrils," indicating patience), and "of great kindness" (rav chesed, רַב חֶסֶד) – is a classic theological declaration of Yahweh's character, first revealed to Moses in Exodus 34:6.
  • "Repenteth him of the evil" (nicham, נִחַם) refers to God changing His mind or relenting from a planned course of action, particularly judgment, in response to human repentance. It does not imply a change in God's perfect character, but a change in His interaction with humanity based on their response to His call.

Practical Application

Joel 2:13 remains highly relevant today, urging believers to examine the sincerity of their faith and repentance. It challenges us to move beyond outward displays of religiosity to cultivate a deep, authentic relationship with God. In our prayers, worship, and confession of sin, God desires a heart that is truly broken and contrite, rather than mere lip service or ritual. It reminds us that God's character is one of abundant mercy and patience, always ready to forgive and restore those who genuinely turn to Him.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 86:15 (29 votes)

    But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

  • Psalms 34:18 (23 votes)

    The LORD [is] nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

  • Exodus 34:6 (19 votes)

    And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

  • Exodus 34:7 (19 votes)

    Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth [generation].

  • Isaiah 57:15 (19 votes)

    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  • Micah 7:18 (16 votes)

    Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.

  • Matthew 5:3 (14 votes)

    Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.