Word Study On Repentance Greek And Hebrew

Greek and Hebrew Word Study on Repentance Throughout the Bible

Repentance is a central theme in both the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the Greek Scriptures (New Testament). Both languages have specific words used to convey repentance, and these terms reflect varying aspects of the concept, from sorrow and regret to a fundamental change of heart and direction.

1. Hebrew Word Study on Repentance:

1.1. נָחַם (Nacham) – "To be sorry," "to comfort," "to regret"

Root Meaning: The verb נָחַם (nacham) primarily means "to comfort" or "to be sorry." In many instances, it refers to God or humans experiencing regret or sorrow over actions or events.

• Genesis 6:6 – "The Lord was grieved (נָחַם) that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain."

  • Context: This is God expressing sorrow and regret for creating humanity, showing divine repentance in response to human wickedness.

• 1 Samuel 15:11 – "I regret (נָחַם) that I have made Saul king."

  • Context: God regrets choosing Saul as king because of Saul's disobedience, demonstrating that regret (nacham) can result from wrong decisions.

• Jeremiah 18:8 – "But if that nation I warned repents (נָחַם) of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned."

  • Context: Here, the verb suggests a possibility for repentance and turning back from sin, in this case, a nation responding to God’s judgment.

1.2. שׁוּב (Shuv) – "To return," "to turn back"

Root Meaning: The verb שׁוּב (shuv) is the most frequent word for repentance in the Old Testament and often carries the connotation of returning to God or turning away from sin. It is strongly linked to the idea of turning back or returning to a right relationship with God.

• Joel 2:12-13 – "Yet even now, declares the Lord, return (שׁוּב) to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning."

  • Context: This is a call to Israel to turn away from their sin and return to God with genuine contrition and repentance. "Return" is about changing direction—leaving sin behind and seeking God.

• Hosea 14:1-2 – "Return (שׁוּב), O Israel, to the Lord your God, for your sins have been your downfall. Take words with you and return (שׁוּב) to the Lord."

  • Context: Hosea calls the people of Israel to repent, acknowledging their sins and returning to God.

• Ezekiel 18:30-32 – "Repent (שׁוּב) and turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall."

  • Context: God urges people to turn from their sinful ways, emphasizing the need for both internal and external change.

1.3. נָשָׁא (Nasa) – "To bear," "to forgive"

Root Meaning: While not always translated directly as "repentance," the verb נָשָׁא (nasa) in contexts of forgiveness often involves the idea of God forgiving people who turn from sin.

• Psalm 85:2 – "You forgave (נָשָׁא) the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins."
  • Context: The forgiveness of sin is linked with repentance (turning back to God).

2. Greek Word Study on Repentance:

2.1. μετάνοια (Metanoia) – "Change of mind," "repentance"

Root Meaning: The noun μετάνοια (metanoia) is the primary Greek word for repentance in the New Testament. It refers to a change of mind or turning away from sin and involves both a mental and moral shift. This is more than just feeling sorry for sin; it involves a complete reorientation of one's life.

• Matthew 3:2 – "Repent (μετανοείτε), for the kingdom of heaven has come near."

  • Context: John the Baptist calls for a radical change in the way people think and live, signaling the approach of the kingdom of God.

• Acts 2:38 – "Peter replied, 'Repent (μετανοήσατε) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.'"

  • Context: Peter urges the people to experience a deep, internal transformation that will lead to outward action (baptism) and forgiveness.

• 2 Corinthians 7:10 – "Godly sorrow brings repentance (μετάνοια) that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

  • Context: Paul explains that true repentance is marked by a godly sorrow that results in a life change, contrasted with mere regret over consequences.

2.2. μετανοέω (Metanoeō) – "To repent," "to change one's mind"

Root Meaning: The verb μετανοέω (metanoeō) is derived from μετά (meta, "change") and νόος (noos, "mind"), meaning "to change one's mind" or "to think differently." It refers to a profound transformation of thought and behavior, often motivated by a desire to turn back to God.

• Mark 1:15 – "The time has come, the kingdom of God has come near. Repent (μετανοέω) and believe the good news!"

  • Context: Jesus' message calls people to a deep transformation, not merely to feel sorrow, but to turn to God and believe in His message.

• Luke 15:7 – "I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents (μετανοέω) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

  • Context: The parable of the lost sheep emphasizes the joy of repentance, signifying a turning back to God and a shift from lostness to salvation.

2.3. μεταμέλεια (Metamelia) – "Regret," "remorse"

Root Meaning: The noun μεταμέλεια (metamelia) refers to regret or remorse but without the transformative aspect of μετάνοια. It involves feeling bad about one's actions but does not necessarily involve a change of heart.

• Matthew 27:3 – "When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse (μεταμέλεια) and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders."

  • Context: Judas' regret is not true repentance (metanoia) because it does not lead to a change of life or reconnection with God; instead, it leads to despair.

• 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 – Paul contrasts μετάνοια (true repentance) with μεταμέλεια (regret): "Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it...Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

3. Further Exploration of Hebrew Terms for Repentance

In addition to נָחַם (nacham) and שׁוּב (shuv), the Hebrew Scriptures also convey repentance through a broader theological context, often involving God’s mercy and the people’s return to covenantal faithfulness. We can explore other key terms and passages where the concept of repentance plays a central role.

3.1. בִּין (Bin) – "To understand," "to consider"

While not exclusively a term for repentance, the verb בִּין (bin) often appears in contexts related to genuine repentance. It can denote understanding or discernment, which is essential to true repentance. Repentance is often tied to spiritual insight and awareness of sin in the prophetic literature.

• Isaiah 1:18 – "Come now, let us reason (בִּין) together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
  • Context: In this invitation to repentance, God calls His people to reflect on their actions and gain understanding of their sin. This reflection is crucial for true repentance, which involves righteous discernment of one's condition before God.

3.2. קִדֵּשׁ (Qadesh) – "To sanctify" or "to consecrate"

The idea of repentance in the Old Testament is also linked to sanctification and restoration to holiness. True repentance leads to a return to God’s sanctifying presence, which is seen in the broader context of covenant renewal.

• Joel 2:12-13 – "Return (שׁוּב) to the Lord your God...He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love."
  • Context: The people of Israel are called to repent in a way that brings them back into a restored relationship with God, symbolized by God's holiness and the renewal of the covenant.

4. Expanded Greek Word Study on Repentance

While μετάνοια and μετανοέω are the most common terms for repentance in the Greek New Testament, there are other words and related concepts that help to develop a fuller understanding of biblical repentance.

4.1. ἄφεσις (Aphesis) – "Forgiveness," "release"

Root Meaning: The noun ἄφεσις (aphesis) refers to the forgiveness or release of sin. Repentance is often tied to God’s forgiveness, where the turning away from sin is met with God’s grace and mercy.

• Luke 24:47 – "and repentance for the forgiveness (ἄφεσις) of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

  • Context: Repentance and forgiveness are inseparably linked in the New Testament. The repentance that leads to forgiveness brings reconciliation with God, showing that repentance is not just about sorrow but about turning toward God for restoration.

• Acts 5:31 – "God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance (μετάνοια) and forgive (ἄφεσις) their sins."

  • Context: Jesus’ exaltation as Savior is for the purpose of granting repentance and forgiveness to Israel. The release from sin is directly connected to genuine repentance.

4.2. ἐπιστροφή (Epistrophē) – "Turning back," "conversion"

Root Meaning: ἐπιστροφή (epistrophē) literally means "a turning back," and is often used in contexts of conversion or a return to God.

• Acts 3:19 – "Repent (μετανοήσατε), then, and turn (ἐπιστραφήτε) to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

  • Context: Repentance here involves both a mental and moral turning back to God, leading to forgiveness and spiritual renewal.

• Luke 22:32 – "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back (ἐπιστρέψας), strengthen your brothers."

  • Context: Jesus speaks to Peter about the turning back from failure, which here refers to repentance. The turning back is often used to describe the action of returning to faith after wandering or falling into sin.

4.3. ἁμαρτία (Hamartia) – "Sin"

While ἁμαρτία (hamartia) refers directly to sin, its connection to repentance is essential. Repentance is the remedy to sin, a turning away from the wrong actions and a turning toward God’s righteousness.

• Romans 6:23 – "For the wages of sin (ἁμαρτία) is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

  • Context: The consequence of sin is death, but repentance and faith in Christ bring life. Repentance is the means by which one turns from the death of sin to the life of righteousness.

• Romans 7:24 – "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?"

  • Context: Paul’s recognition of his own sinfulness drives him to repentance and an acknowledgment of his need for deliverance through Christ.

5. Theological Aspects of Repentance

5.1. Repentance as a Divine Command:

In both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, repentance is often framed as God’s command rather than merely a personal decision. It is a response to God’s call to return to Him in faithfulness.

• Acts 17:30 – "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent (μετανοῆσαι)."
  • Context: Repentance is a universal command issued by God, signifying that it is not optional but essential for salvation and restoration with God.

5.2. The Role of Repentance in Salvation:

Repentance is a prerequisite for receiving forgiveness and salvation in both the Old and New Testaments. While faith is the central means of salvation in the New Testament, repentance is closely tied to that faith, as turning from sin is necessary to fully receive God's grace.

• Luke 13:3 – "I tell you, no! But unless you repent (μετανοήσετε), you too will all perish."

  • Context: Jesus underscores that repentance is not optional; it is a necessary step for salvation.

• Acts 11:18 – "So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance (μετάνοια) that leads to life."

  • Context: Repentance is a gracious gift from God, leading to eternal life. This highlights that repentance is not only a human action but is initiated by God's mercy.

6. Repentance and Forgiveness:

In both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, repentance is consistently linked to forgiveness. True repentance leads to a restored relationship with God, where God forgives sins and heals the brokenness caused by disobedience.

6.1. Old Testament Forgiveness:

• Psalm 51:17 – "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
  • Context: Repentance, symbolized by a broken heart, is essential for receiving God’s forgiveness.

6.2. New Testament Forgiveness:

• 1 John 1:9 – "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
  • Context: The confession of sin and repentance lead to cleansing and forgiveness from God, emphasizing God’s faithfulness to forgive those who genuinely repent.

Summary of Key Greek and Hebrew Terms for Repentance:

Conclusion: Expanded Understanding of Repentance

Repentance in both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures is not merely an emotional reaction to sin but a profound turning away from sin and a turning toward God. It involves:

• Sorrow and regret for wrongdoing (Hebrew נָחַם, Greek μεταμέλεια),
• A change of mind and direction (Hebrew שׁוּב, Greek μετάνοια),
• Spiritual renewal and restoration through God’s forgiveness (Hebrew קִדֵּשׁ, Greek ἄφεσις),
• A universal command for all people (Greek μετανοῆσαι).

Repentance is essential for receiving forgiveness and entering into a right relationship with God. It is central to salvation in both the Old and New Testaments, underscoring that God’s call to return is both a command and an invitation to experience His mercy, grace, and redemption.

To read more on repentance: Bible Verses Repentance / Blog | JesusIsLord

Repentance In The Bible Roughly 70 Times / Blog | JesusIsLord

Repentance In The Bible / Blog | JesusIsLord

Bible Quotes On Repentance