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

JOEL 2:12KJV
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Joel 2:12 (KJV)

What does Joel 2:12 mean?

Joel 2:12 calls people to return to God with sincerity and deep emotion, not just outward actions. The verse urges turning to God with the whole heart, showing genuine sorrow through fasting, weeping, and mourning.

In this verse, the LORD is speaking through the prophet Joel to the people of Judah during a time of crisis, likely after a devastating locust plague. The call is not just for ritual or surface-level repentance, but for heartfelt change and honest grief over wrongdoing. The verse emphasizes that God desires a real, inward turning back, marked by visible signs of sorrow and humility.

The Hebrew behind Joel 2:12

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting that the call comes directly from God, not just a general religious message.
  • turn (שׁוּב, shuv): This word means to return or turn back, often used for repentance. It suggests a complete change of direction, not just feeling sorry but actually moving back toward God.
  • heart (לֵבָב, levav): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is the center of one's will, emotions, and mind. The call to return with "all your heart" means God wants a total, genuine commitment, not just outward displays.
  • fasting (צוֹם, tzom), weeping (בְּכִי, bechi), mourning (מִסְפֵּד, misped): These words describe traditional signs of grief and repentance in ancient Israel. Their use here shows that God expects a visible, honest response to sin, not just private feelings.

Why Joel 2:12 matters

  • Joel 2:12 clarifies that God is not satisfied with empty rituals or surface-level apologies; He wants a real change of heart and attitude.
  • The verse sets the tone for the rest of Joel 2, where God’s mercy and willingness to forgive are highlighted if the people truly repent.
  • By emphasizing both inward (heart) and outward (fasting, weeping, mourning) responses, the verse shows that true repentance involves both emotion and action.

Where else these words appear

“mourning” Hebrew H4553 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 50:10 And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.
  • Jeremiah 6:26 O daughter of my people, gird thee with sackcloth, and wallow thyself in ashes: make thee mourning, as for an only son, most bitter lamentation: for the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us.
  • Amos 5:17 And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

“fasting” Hebrew H6685 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
  • Esther 9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
  • Jeremiah 36:6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

“weeping” Hebrew H1065 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 45:2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.
  • Psalms 6:8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.
  • Isaiah 38:3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.