King James Version

What Does Joel 2:13 Mean?

Joel 2:13 in the King James Version says “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to an...” — study this verse from Joel chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 2:13 · KJV

Context

11

And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

12

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

13

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.

14

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?

15

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:

Read Joel 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joel 2:13 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְקִרְע֤וּ1 of 19

“And rend”

H7167

to rend, literally or figuratively (revile, paint the eyes, as if enlarging them)

לְבַבְכֶם֙2 of 19

“your heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וְאַל3 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

בִּגְדֵיכֶ֔ם4 of 19

“and not your garments”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְשׁ֖וּבוּ5 of 19

“and turn”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל6 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 19

“unto the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֑ם8 of 19

“your God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

כִּֽי9 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

חַנּ֤וּן10 of 19

“for he is gracious”

H2587

gracious

וְרַחוּם֙11 of 19

“and merciful”

H7349

compassionate

ה֔וּא12 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֶ֤רֶךְ13 of 19

“slow”

H750

long

אַפַּ֙יִם֙14 of 19

“to anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וְרַב15 of 19

“and of great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

חֶ֔סֶד16 of 19

“kindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְנִחָ֖ם17 of 19

“and repenteth”

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

עַל18 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָרָעָֽה׃19 of 19

“him of the evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joel 2:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joel 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 86:15Psalms 34:18Isaiah 57:15Exodus 34:6-7Matthew 5:3-4Micah 7:18

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