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.
Joel makes explicit what repentance requires: "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." The Hebrew veqir'u levavkhem ve'al-bigdeikhem veshuvu el-YHWH Eloheikhem ki-channun verachum hu erekh appayim verav-chesed venicham al-hara'ah (וְקִרְעוּ לְבַבְכֶם וְאַל־בִּגְדֵיכֶם וְשׁוּבוּ אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם כִּי־חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם הוּא אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וְנִחָם עַל־הָרָעָה) demands internal transformation, not mere external ritual.
"Rend your heart, and not your garments" (veqir'u levavkhem ve'al-bigdeikhem) contrasts genuine versus superficial repentance. Tearing garments was traditional mourning practice (Genesis 37:34, 2 Samuel 1:11), but Joel demands heart-rending—deep, internal contrition. The verb qara (קָרַע, "rend/tear") applied to levav (לֵבָב, "heart") suggests violent, painful tearing of one's inner being. God wants broken hearts, not torn clothing. This anticipates Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
"Turn unto the LORD your God" (veshuvu el-YHWH Eloheikhem) uses the covenant verb shuv (שׁוּב), meaning to return, turn back. Repentance is returning to covenant relationship with Yahweh. The motivation follows: "for he is gracious and merciful" (ki-channun verachum hu). The adjective channun (חַנּוּן) describes God's favor and grace; rachum (רַחוּם) His compassion and tender mercy (from rechem, womb—mother-like compassion).
"Slow to anger" (erekh appayim, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם) literally means "long of nostrils"—imagery of delayed breathing associated with anger. God's patience is extraordinary. "Of great kindness" (rav-chesed) uses chesed (חֶסֶד), covenant loyalty and faithful love. This formula appears throughout Scripture (Exodus 34:6-7, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, Jonah 4:2), forming the foundation of covenant relationship. Knowing God's gracious character motivates genuine repentance.
Historical Context
Joel's exact historical setting is debated, with proposed dates ranging from the 9th to the 5th century BC. The book contains no references to specific kings or datable political events. What is clear is that Joel addresses a community experiencing devastating locust plague, which he interprets as divine judgment and a harbinger of the coming Day of the LORD. The book moves from describing literal agricultural catastrophe to prophesying the eschatological Day of the LORD when God will judge nations and pour out His Spirit on all flesh. Peter's Pentecost sermon (Acts 2:16-21) applies Joel's Spirit-outpouring prophecy to the church age, showing the book's prophetic scope extends from Joel's time through Christ's first coming to His return.
Joel's prophecy of the Spirit's outpouring found initial fulfillment at Pentecost and continues in the church age, while his Day of the LORD visions await ultimate fulfillment at Christ's return. The book emphasizes genuine repentance ('rend your heart, not your garments'), God's character as gracious and merciful, and the call to corporate fasting and prayer in times of crisis.
Questions for Reflection
How does Joel 2:13 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joel makes explicit what repentance requires: "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." The Hebrew veqir'u levavkhem ve'al-bigdeikhem veshuvu el-YHWH Eloheikhem ki-channun verachum hu erekh appayim verav-chesed venicham al-hara'ah (וְקִרְעוּ לְבַבְכֶם וְאַל־בִּגְדֵיכֶם וְשׁוּבוּ אֶל־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם כִּי־חַנּוּן וְרַחוּם הוּא אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וְרַב־חֶסֶד וְנִחָם עַל־הָרָעָה) demands internal transformation, not mere external ritual.
"Rend your heart, and not your garments" (veqir'u levavkhem ve'al-bigdeikhem) contrasts genuine versus superficial repentance. Tearing garments was traditional mourning practice (Genesis 37:34, 2 Samuel 1:11), but Joel demands heart-rending—deep, internal contrition. The verb qara (קָרַע, "rend/tear") applied to levav (לֵבָב, "heart") suggests violent, painful tearing of one's inner being. God wants broken hearts, not torn clothing. This anticipates Psalm 51:17: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."
"Turn unto the LORD your God" (veshuvu el-YHWH Eloheikhem) uses the covenant verb shuv (שׁוּב), meaning to return, turn back. Repentance is returning to covenant relationship with Yahweh. The motivation follows: "for he is gracious and merciful" (ki-channun verachum hu). The adjective channun (חַנּוּן) describes God's favor and grace; rachum (רַחוּם) His compassion and tender mercy (from rechem, womb—mother-like compassion).
"Slow to anger" (erekh appayim, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם) literally means "long of nostrils"—imagery of delayed breathing associated with anger. God's patience is extraordinary. "Of great kindness" (rav-chesed) uses chesed (חֶסֶד), covenant loyalty and faithful love. This formula appears throughout Scripture (Exodus 34:6-7, Numbers 14:18, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, Jonah 4:2), forming the foundation of covenant relationship. Knowing God's gracious character motivates genuine repentance.