Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year B
Joel 2:12-18
Rend Your Heart
February 10, 2027
Overview & Insights
“Return to me with all your heart… and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2:12-13)
This is one passage in Joel where it is absolutely necessary that we understand what the original Hebrew says, because the NIV translation has missed the force of the opening words. Verse 12 begins with “ But even now,” the “but” being translated from what is known as a waw adversative, and it is that “but” that is all important.
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Commentary
Commentary on Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Working Preacher
Luther Seminary commentary on Joel's trumpet call to return to the LORD with fasting, weeping, and torn hearts.
Joel 2 Commentary Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik on the day of the LORD and the call to rend your heart and not your garments.
Joel 2:12 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic and modern commentators gathered on Joel 2:12.
Joel Commentaries Precept Austin
Deep verse-by-verse study library with word studies and cross-references on Joel.
Ash Wednesday Agape Bible Study
Catholic study of Joel's summons to repentance as the Ash Wednesday first reading (Catholic).
Background & Word Study
Joel 2 (Sefaria, Hebrew and English) Sefaria
Hebrew and English text of Joel 2 with classical Jewish commentaries alongside.
Joel 2:12 Interlinear BibleHub
Hebrew word-by-word text of Joel 2:12 with parsing and Strong's numbers.
Book of Joel Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of Joel and its vision of the day of the LORD and the outpoured Spirit.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What does Joel call for?
The Lord calls his people to true repentance, not outward show but a torn heart, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.
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