The Biblical Words for “Repent / Repentance” (Hebrew & Greek)
Repentance in the Bible is not just “feeling sorry.” It is turning, changing direction, changing mind, and returning to God.
Let’s start with the Hebrew.
HEBREW TERMS (Old Testament)
A. שׁוּב — shuv
Meaning: to turn, return, go back, restore.
This is the primary Hebrew word for repentance.
Key ideas:
- turning away from sin
- turning back to God
- returning to covenant loyalty
Key uses:
- Isaiah 55:7 — “Let the wicked forsake his way… let him return (shuv) to the LORD.”
- Hosea 14:1 — “Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God.”
- Joel 2:12 — “Return to Me with all your heart.”
Repentance in Hebrew is directional — a change of path.
B. נָחַם — nacham
Meaning: to be sorry, to grieve, to regret, to be moved to compassion.
This word expresses the emotional side of repentance.
Key uses:
- Joel 2:13 — God is “gracious and compassionate… and relents (nacham) from sending calamity.”
- Jonah 3:10 — God “relented” when Nineveh repented.
This is repentance as deep inner sorrow.
C. אָשֵׁם — asham
Meaning: to be guilty, to bear guilt, to acknowledge guilt.
Used in contexts of:
- confession
- guilt offerings
- admitting wrongdoing
Repentance includes owning guilt before God.
D. תְּשׁוּבָה — teshuvah
Meaning: return, repentance (post‑biblical Hebrew).
This becomes the central Jewish word for repentance:
- returning to God
- returning to obedience
- returning to one’s true self
GREEK TERMS (New Testament)
A. μετάνοια — metanoia
Meaning: a change of mind, change of heart, change of purpose.
This is the main NT word for repentance.
Key ideas:
- a new way of thinking
- a new direction
- a transformed inner life
Key uses:
- Matthew 3:2 — “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
- Acts 2:38 — “Repent and be baptized…”
- Romans 2:4 — God’s kindness leads to repentance.
Repentance is inner transformation that leads to outer change.
B. μετανοέω — metanoeō
Meaning: to repent, to change one’s mind, to turn around.
This is the verb form.
Used by:
- John the Baptist
- Jesus
- Peter
- Paul
- Jesus again in Revelation
Repentance is active — something you do.
C. ἐπιστρέφω — epistrephō
Meaning: to turn, to turn back, to return.
This is the Greek equivalent of Hebrew shuv.
Key uses:
- Acts 3:19 — “Repent and turn (epistrephō) to God.”
- 1 Thessalonians 1:9 — “You turned to God from idols.”
Repentance is turning from something and turning to Someone.
D. μεταμέλομαι — metamelomai
Meaning: to feel regret, remorse, sorrow.
Used for:
- Judas (Matthew 27:3)
- Paul’s “regret” in 2 Corinthians 7:8
This is emotion, not full repentance. The NT distinguishes regret from true repentance.
Timeline of Repentance from Genesis to Revelation
Stage 1: Repentance as Returning (Genesis–Deuteronomy)
Repentance is:
- turning back to God
- returning to covenant
- choosing life instead of death
Repentance = coming home.
Stage 2: Repentance as National Restoration (Prophets)
Prophets call Israel to:
- turn from idols
- turn from injustice
- return to God with the heart
Repentance = renewal of relationship.
Stage 3: Repentance as Preparation for the Messiah (Gospels)
John the Baptist:
- calls Israel to repent
- prepares the way for Jesus
- links repentance with forgiveness
Jesus:
- begins His ministry with “Repent”
- calls sinners to repentance
- celebrates repentant hearts
Repentance = entering the kingdom.
Stage 4: Repentance as Conversion (Acts)
Peter and Paul preach:
- repent
- turn to God
- receive forgiveness
- receive the Holy Spirit
Repentance = the doorway into new life.
Stage 5: Repentance as Transformation (Epistles)
Repentance becomes:
- renewing the mind
- putting off the old self
- walking in the Spirit
- bearing fruit
Repentance = ongoing transformation.
Stage 6: Repentance as Final Warning (Revelation)
Jesus calls churches to:
- repent of compromise
- repent of sin
- return to first love
Repentance = faithfulness in the last days.
Comparison of Repentance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Judaism
Repentance (teshuvah) is:
- returning to God
- confessing sin
- making restitution
- changing behavior
- seeking forgiveness
Judaism emphasizes action + heart.
Christianity
Repentance (metanoia) is:
- turning from sin
- turning to Christ
- receiving forgiveness
- being transformed by the Spirit
- living a new life
Christianity emphasizes inner transformation + faith.
Islam
Repentance (tawbah) is:
- turning back to God
- confessing sin
- feeling remorse
- resolving not to return to sin
- trusting in God’s mercy
Islam emphasizes sincere return + obedience.