Hebraic Musing – What does “Repent” really mean?
Early in the NT
John the Baptist tells us to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 3:2 NIV And in the very next
chapter Jesus preached “Repent, for the kingdom
of heaven is near.”
Our bible study
leader asked – “What does Repent really mean?”
Some answers that initially came were:
- Stop doing that evil thing.
- Be sorry for what you did.
- Stop and do penance (pay a penalty or
do some work like saying three “Our Fathers”)
- etc.
So, what has the
word “repent” meant to you?
The Greek
word is “metanoia”, which literally means “to change the mind.” Repentance fundamentally means to change your
mind about something. It has to do with
the way you think about something. You’ve been thinking one way, but now you
think the opposite way. That’s
repentance — the changing of the mind.
μετανοέω = “to repent” — to change one’s mind/purpose, especially morally.
μετάνοια = “repentance” — the state of having changed one’s mind, recognizing
and turning away from sin.
Etymology: From meta- (“after, beyond,
change”) + noieō (“to think, understand”)
Latin Origins - The word
"repent" traces back to the Latin verb paenitēre,
which means “to feel regret” or “to be sorry” and is related to the noun poena,
meaning “penalty” or “punishment” (reflecting the idea of making amends for
wrongdoing). In Vulgar Latin, it appeared as paenitīre, and
in Vulgar Latin as repaenitīre, incorporating the intensive
prefix re- to emphasize deep regret.
In the New
Testament, the word “repent” is most often translated from the Greek verb
μετανοέω (metanoeó),
Both the Greek and
the Latin highlight the inward decision to live differently, rather than
just external sorrow or ritual.
What does “Repent”
really mean to us today? There are two Hebrew
words to help us understand repentance. The first is the word “nacham”
which means to turn around or to change your mind. The second is the word “sub” which is used over 600 times in the Old Testament translated
to words like “turn,” “return,” “seek,” or “restore.” You often see it in popular
phrases like “to turn to the Lord with all your heart.”
The Hebrew
word for repent is “teshuva” (תשובה), which
means "to return." This term conveys a deeper meaning beyond mere
regret; it signifies a return to God and a turning away from sin. In a broader context, “teshuva” is often
associated with the concept of seeking forgiveness and making amends. “Teshuva” is a lot more than a feeling of
guilt or regret. It derives from the
verb ‘to return’.
First mention of
“Repent” in the Bible
– “and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held
captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their
conquerors and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, we have acted
wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart
and soul in the land of their enemies who took them captive, and pray to you
toward the land you gave their fathers, toward the city you have chosen and the
temple I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your
dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their
cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all
the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their conquerors to
show them mercy;” 1 Kings 8:47-50
To “repent” is to
regret so deeply that it changes the mind or course of conduct and as a
consequence one develops new mental and spiritual habits.
Points
to ponder
Does
“repent” mean more than just “being sorry”?
Are
we to repent before or after our moment of salvation?
Which
understanding recognizes that the work has already been done? A - On the cross!
Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Acts 2:38
Yosef a.k.a. Joe
Brusherd
September 22,
2026
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our
faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)” Weekly “Hebraic
Musings”
