Primary Study
Grafted Bible Dictionary
Definition
Teshuvah is the Hebrew concept of returning or turning back, especially returning to God after sin or covenant unfaithfulness.
The noun became a major Jewish term for repentance, while the biblical root shuv appears extensively throughout the Tanakh.
The noun became a major Jewish term for repentance, while the biblical root shuv appears extensively throughout the Tanakh.
Torah Background
Deuteronomy 30 presents restoration in terms of Israel returning to God:
• Deuteronomy 30:1–10
Return involves:
• remembering
• turning
• hearing
• obedience
• restoration
• Deuteronomy 30:1–10
Return involves:
• remembering
• turning
• hearing
• obedience
• restoration
Prophets
The prophetic call is repeatedly:
Return to Me.
Examples include:
• Isaiah 44:22
• Jeremiah 3:12–14
• Hosea 14:1–2
• Zechariah 1:3
Return to Me.
Examples include:
• Isaiah 44:22
• Jeremiah 3:12–14
• Hosea 14:1–2
• Zechariah 1:3
Theological Significance
Biblical sin and toward God involving a change of mind, heart, loyalty, and behavior.">repentance is therefore not merely feeling remorse.
It is directional:
away from rebellion → back toward God.
It is directional:
away from rebellion → back toward God.
Messianic Context
Yeshua and the Kingdom of God.">John the Baptist and Yeshua continue this prophetic pattern by calling Israel to sin and toward God involving a change of mind, heart, loyalty, and behavior.">repentance in anticipation of God's Kingdom.