Hebrew Word Study

The meaning of שׁוּב

Understanding shûwb reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.

Definition

((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)...

Explore Jeremiah Quizzes

Test your knowledge of the book where this word appears most

Explore

Full Lexicon Index

Browse all Hebrew word studies

Browse
H7725
Hebrew Text
Strong's Concordance

שׁוּב

Phoneticshoob
Transliterationshûwb
Grammar Code
H:V
Hebrew Verb
Strong's Definition
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. - to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point) - generally to retreat - often adverbial, again 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Scripture References

Occurrences in the Bible

948 total references
ReferenceText
Genesis 31:55

And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Word: שׁוּב (shûwb)
Ruth 1:15

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Word: שׁוּב (shûwb)
Ezra 9:14

Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?

Word: שׁוּב (shûwb)
Song of Solomon 6:13

Return, return, O Shulamite; return, return, that we may look upon thee. What will ye see in the Shulamite? As it were the company of two armies.

Word: שׁוּב (shûwb)
Joel 3:1

For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,

Word: שׁוּב (shûwb)

Theological Word Study: Repent

Old Testament Usage

שׁוּב / נָחַםShuv / Nacham

Meaning: To turn back, relent

The Hebrew shuv (שׁוּב) means to turn or return—a physical turning that represents spiritual redirection back to God. Nacham (נָחַם) conveys grief or relenting, often used of God 'repenting' of judgment.

New Testament Usage

μετανοέωMetanoeo

Meaning: To change one's mind, repent

The Greek metanoeo (μετανοέω) means to change one's mind or purpose—a complete transformation of thinking. John the Baptist and Jesus both began their ministries with 'Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand' (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).

Related Resources