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?

JOEL 2:14KJV
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Joel 2:14 (KJV)

What does Joel 2:14 mean?

Joel 2:14 expresses uncertainty about whether God will turn back from judgment and show mercy, possibly leaving behind a blessing so that the people can offer grain and drink offerings to Him again. The verse highlights hope that repentance might move God to restore what was lost.

The prophet Joel is speaking to the people of Judah after a devastating locust plague, urging them to turn back to God with sincere hearts. Joel 2:14 captures the humble attitude of not presuming on God’s mercy but still holding onto the possibility that God may relent ("repent") and provide enough for worship to be restored. This verse sits in the middle of a call to repentance, emphasizing both God’s justice and His potential for compassion.

The Hebrew behind Joel 2:14

  • "return" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means to turn back or restore. Here, it refers to the hope that God might reverse His judgment and bring restoration.
  • "repent" (נָחַם, nacham): This word can mean to feel sorrow or to relent. In this context, it suggests God might change His course from judgment to mercy.
  • "leave" (שָׁאַר, sha'ar): This word means to leave behind or spare. The hope is that God will leave behind a "blessing"—enough crops for offerings.
  • "blessing" (בְּרָכָה, berakhah): This means a gift or benefit from God, specifically here the resources needed for proper worship.

Why Joel 2:14 matters

  • Joel 2:14 clarifies that repentance does not guarantee a specific outcome; it shows humility before God rather than demanding a response.
  • The verse emphasizes the importance of worship and offerings, showing that restoration is not just about material recovery but about renewing relationship with God.
  • Joel 2:14 connects to the larger theme of Joel, where disaster is seen as a call to return to God, and hope remains even in uncertainty.

Where else these words appear

“offering” Hebrew H5262 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
  • Numbers 28:24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.
  • 2 Kings 16:13 And he burnt his burnt offering and his meat offering, and poured his drink offering, and sprinkled the blood of his peace offerings, upon the altar.

“blessing” Hebrew H1293 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • Deuteronomy 28:8 The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
  • Psalms 84:6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

“repent” Hebrew H5162 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Job 29:25 I chose out their way, and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners.
  • Jeremiah 18:8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.

“leave” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
  • Ezra 9:15 O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.