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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joel 2:12 "Yet even now," declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joel/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/29_Jol_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joel 2:12 - Return with All Your Heart" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Yet even now, declares the LORD, return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joel/2-12.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joel/2-12.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joel/">Joel</a> > <a href="/joel/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 12</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad12.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joel/2-11.htm" title="Joel 2:11">◄</a> Joel 2:12 <a href="/joel/2-13.htm" title="Joel 2:13">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joel/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220Even now,&#8221 declares the LORD, &#8220return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joel/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joel/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joel/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye <i>even</i> to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joel/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joel/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joel/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Yet even now,&#8221 declares the LORD, &#8220Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joel/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping, and mourning;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joel/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Yet even now,” declares Yahweh, “Return to Me with all your heart And with fasting, weeping, and wailing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joel/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Even now,” says the LORD, “Turn <i>and</i> come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored];<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joel/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Even now — this is the LORD’s declaration — turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joel/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Even now— this is the LORD&#8217s declaration— turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joel/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet even now, saith Jehovah, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joel/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD said: It isn't too late. You can still return to me with all your heart. Start crying and mourning! Go without eating. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joel/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yet even now, saith the LORD, turn ye unto me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joel/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"But even now," declares the LORD, "return to me with all your heart- with fasting, crying, and mourning."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joel/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"But even now," says the LORD, "repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joel/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Yet even now," declares the LORD, "Turn back to me with your whole heart, with fasting, tears, and mourning.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joel/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?Yet even now,? declares the LORD, ?return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joel/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Yet even now," the LORD says, "return to me with all your heart--with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your garments!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joel/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Yet even now," says the LORD, "turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joel/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Therefore also now, saith the LORD, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joel/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Yet even now,” says Yahweh, “turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joel/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />“And also now,” a declaration of YHWH, "" “Turn back to Me with all your heart, "" And with fasting, and with weeping, "" And with lamentation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joel/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And also now -- an affirmation of Jehovah, Turn ye back unto Me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, And with lamentation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joel/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And also now, says Jehovah, Turn back even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping and with wailing.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joel/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now therefore saith the Lord: Be converted to me with all your heart, in fasting, and in weeping, and in mourning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joel/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now, therefore, the Lord says: “Be converted to me with your whole heart, in fasting and weeping and mourning.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joel/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Yet even now—oracle of the LORD— return to me with your whole heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joel/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joel/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Therefore now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, and with fasting and with weeping and with mourning;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joel/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Therefore LORD JEHOVAH says, “Return to me from all your heart in fasting and in weeping and in mourning<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joel/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Yet even now, saith the LORD, Turn ye unto Me with all your heart, And with fasting, and with weeping, and with lamentation;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joel/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Now therefore, saith the Lord your God, turn to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with lamentation:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joel/2-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oEU9eLLsIkI?start=340" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joel/2.htm">Return with All Your Heart</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: wə·ḡam- (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">“Yet even</a> <a href="/hebrew/6258.htm" title="6258: ‘at·tāh (Adv) -- Now. From eth; at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive.">now,”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5002.htm" title="5002: nə·’um- (N-msc) -- Utterance. From na'am; an oracle.">declares</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: šu·ḇū (V-Qal-Imp-mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">“return</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘ā·ḏay (Prep:: 1cs) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to Me</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">with all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">your heart,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6685.htm" title="6685: ū·ḇə·ṣō·wm (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Fasting, a fast. Or tsom; from from tsuwm; a fast.">with fasting,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1065.htm" title="1065: ū·ḇə·ḇə·ḵī (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A weeping. From bakah; a weeping; by analogy, a dripping.">weeping,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4553.htm" title="4553: ū·ḇə·mis·pêḏ (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-ms) -- A wailing. From caphad; a lamentation.">and mourning.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-13.htm">Jeremiah 29:13</a></span><br />You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-6.htm">Isaiah 55:6-7</a></span><br />Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-1.htm">Hosea 6:1</a></span><br />Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Zechariah 1:3</a></span><br />So tell the people that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the LORD of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Hosts.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-8.htm">James 4:8-10</a></span><br />Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. / Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/7-14.htm">2 Chronicles 7:14</a></span><br />and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-1.htm">Jeremiah 4:1</a></span><br />“If you will return, O Israel, return to Me,” declares the LORD. “If you will remove your detestable idols from My sight and no longer waver,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-30.htm">Ezekiel 18:30-32</a></span><br />Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Matthew 4:17</a></span><br />From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/3-19.htm">Acts 3:19</a></span><br />Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29-31</a></span><br />But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. / When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. / For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-40.htm">Lamentations 3:40-41</a></span><br />Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD. / Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/3-7.htm">Malachi 3:7</a></span><br />Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/51-17.htm">Psalm 51:17</a></span><br />The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a></span><br />Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Therefore also now, said the LORD, turn you even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:</p><p class="hdg">turn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/4-29.htm">Deuteronomy 4:29,30</a></b></br> But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find <i>him</i>, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3</a></b></br> And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, <i>then</i> put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/8-47.htm">1 Kings 8:47-49</a></b></br> <i>Yet</i> if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; … </p><p class="hdg">with fasting.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/20-26.htm">Judges 20:26</a></b></br> Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">1 Samuel 7:6</a></b></br> And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured <i>it</i> out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">2 Chronicles 20:3,4</a></b></br> And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/11-11.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/hosea/11-11.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/joel/1-16.htm">Food</a> <a href="/hosea/13-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/ezekiel/32-16.htm">Lamentation</a> <a href="/joel/1-9.htm">Mourning</a> <a href="/joel/2-6.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/joel/1-5.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/amos/2-11.htm">Affirmation</a> <a href="/amos/2-11.htm">Declares</a> <a href="/matthew/4-2.htm">Fasting</a> <a href="/joel/2-15.htm">Food</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-8.htm">Keeping</a> <a href="/amos/5-1.htm">Lamentation</a> <a href="/amos/5-16.htm">Mourning</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/micah/1-10.htm">Weeping</a><div class="vheading2">Joel 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-1.htm">He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">He exhorts to repentance;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-15.htm">prescribes a fast;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-18.htm">promises a blessing thereon.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-21.htm">He comforts Zion with present,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">and future blessings.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joel/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“Yet even now,” declares the LORD</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the immediacy and urgency of God's call to repentance. Despite the people's past sins and the impending judgment, God offers a chance for redemption. The use of "declares the LORD" underscores the authority and seriousness of the message, as it is a direct communication from God. This reflects God's enduring patience and willingness to forgive, reminiscent of His character throughout the Old Testament, such as in <a href="/isaiah/1-18.htm">Isaiah 1:18</a> and <a href="/ezekiel/18-32.htm">Ezekiel 18:32</a>.<p><b>“return to Me with all your heart”</b><br>The call to "return" signifies repentance, a central theme in the prophetic books. It involves a complete turning away from sin and a wholehearted commitment to God. The phrase "with all your heart" indicates that this is not merely an external or ritualistic act but a deep, sincere transformation. This echoes the Shema in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>, which commands love for God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, highlighting the comprehensive nature of true repentance.<p><b>with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”</b><br>These actions are traditional expressions of repentance and humility in the ancient Near Eastern context. Fasting is a physical demonstration of penitence and dependence on God, seen in other biblical instances like <a href="/esther/4-3.htm">Esther 4:3</a> and <a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5</a>. Weeping and mourning reflect genuine sorrow for sin, aligning with the biblical principle that godly sorrow leads to repentance (<a href="/2_corinthians/7-10.htm">2 Corinthians 7:10</a>). These practices are not merely ceremonial but are meant to reflect an inward change, as emphasized in <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a>, which calls for a rending of the heart rather than garments.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant God of Israel, who calls His people to repentance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joel.htm">Joel</a></b><br>The prophet who delivers God's message to the people of Judah, urging them to return to God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, facing a locust plague and potential invasion, symbolizing divine judgment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/locust_plague.htm">Locust Plague</a></b><br>A devastating event described earlier in Joel, symbolizing both literal and metaphorical destruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/repentance.htm">Repentance</a></b><br>The central theme of this passage, emphasizing a heartfelt return to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/heartfelt_repentance.htm">Heartfelt Repentance</a></b><br>True repentance involves the heart, not just outward actions. It requires sincerity and a genuine turning back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_fasting.htm">The Role of Fasting</a></b><br>Fasting is a spiritual discipline that accompanies repentance, symbolizing humility and dependence on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/emotional_expression_in_repentance.htm">Emotional Expression in Repentance</a></b><br>Weeping and mourning are appropriate responses to sin, reflecting a deep awareness of one's need for God's mercy.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_invitation.htm">God's Invitation</a></b><br>Despite judgment, God extends an invitation to return to Him, highlighting His grace and desire for reconciliation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_repentance.htm">Urgency of Repentance</a></b><br>The phrase "Yet even now" underscores the immediacy and urgency of responding to God's call without delay.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joel_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joel 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_septuagesima,_etc._sundays.htm">What are Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima Sundays?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_impurity.htm">What does the Bible teach about impurity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_penance.htm">What is the Bible's view on penance?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_penitence.htm">What does the Bible say about penitence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joel/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Saith the Lord.--</span>The word <span class= "ital">saith</span> is here no common word in the Hebrew. It implies an authoritative and most weighty utterance, as in <a href="/psalms/110-1.htm" title="The LORD said to my Lord, Sit you at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.">Psalm 110:1</a>, "The Lord <span class= "ital">said</span> unto my Lord." "The word is used in almost every instance of the immediate utterance of God Himself; more rarely of that of the prophet or inspired organ of the Divine revelations" (Perowne, <span class= "ital">Commentary on the Psalms,</span> vol. ii., p. 300).<p><span class= "bld">Turn ye even to me</span>.--The question, "Who can abide it?" is left unanswered. But the only possible reply is inferred in the touching appeal which the prophet is inspired by Jehovah to make, that His righteous anger may be averted.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joel/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 12-14.</span> - The judgment of the locusts was typical of the great day of judgment. The tartars of that day were designed to bring the people to repentance. Thus judgment was mingled with mercy. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with great fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning</span>. At this period of sore judgment God, by the prophet, calls upon the people to return and repent, to fast and to weep, to grieve inwardly and mourn outwardly for sin. He also instructs them how to engage in the duty of humiliation aright and acceptably. The humiliation was to be that of the heart - sorrow of heart for the sins by which they had offended God, inward shame on account of those iniquities by which they had wronged their own souls and marred their own best interests. But while there behoved to be this inward contrition, outward expressions of it were also required. Genuine sorrow and shame for sin were to be accompanied by fasting, tears of penitence, and other indications of mourning. <span class="accented">With all your heart.</span> Kimchi comments thus: "That your repentance be not with a heart and a heart." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joel/2-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Yet even</span><br /><span class="heb">וְגַם־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḡam-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">now,</span><br /><span class="heb">עַתָּה֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6258.htm">Strong's 6258: </a> </span><span class="str2">At this time</span><br /><br /><span class="word">declares</span><br /><span class="heb">נְאֻם־</span> <span class="translit">(nə·’um-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5002.htm">Strong's 5002: </a> </span><span class="str2">An oracle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">return</span><br /><span class="heb">שֻׁ֥בוּ</span> <span class="translit">(šu·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Me</span><br /><span class="heb">עָדַ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·ḏay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with all</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your heart,</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַבְכֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇaḇ·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> </span><span class="str2">Inner man, mind, will, heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with fasting,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְצ֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ṣō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6685.htm">Strong's 6685: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fasting, a fast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">weeping,</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְבְכִ֖י‪‬</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·ḇə·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1065.htm">Strong's 1065: </a> </span><span class="str2">A weeping, a dripping</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and mourning.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְמִסְפֵּֽד׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·mis·pêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4553.htm">Strong's 4553: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lamentation</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">OT Prophets: Joel 2:12 Yet even now says Yahweh turn (Jl Joe.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joel/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joel 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joel 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joel/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joel 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joel 2:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>