Joel 2:14
New International Version
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

New Living Translation
Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the LORD your God as before.

English Standard Version
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?

Berean Standard Bible
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

King James Bible
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

New King James Version
Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him— A grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?

New American Standard Bible
Who knows, He might turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him, Resulting in a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God.

NASB 1995
Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For the LORD your God?

NASB 1977
Who knows whether He will not turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a libation For the LORD your God?

Legacy Standard Bible
Who knows whether He will not turn and relent And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering For Yahweh your God?

Amplified Bible
Who knows whether He will relent [and revoke your sentence], And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a grain offering and a drink offering [from the bounty He provides you] For the LORD your God?

Christian Standard Bible
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind him, so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering to the LORD your God.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him, so you can offer grain and wine to the LORD your God.

American Standard Version
Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal-offering and a drink-offering unto Jehovah your God?

Contemporary English Version
I am the LORD your God. Perhaps I will change my mind and treat you with mercy. Then you will be blessed with enough grain and wine for offering sacrifices to me.

English Revised Version
Who knoweth whether he will not turn and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Who knows? He may reconsider and change his plan and leave a blessing for you. Then you could give grain offerings and wine offerings to the LORD your God.

Good News Translation
Perhaps the LORD your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops. Then you can offer him grain and wine.

International Standard Version
Who knows? He will turn back and relent, will he not, leaving behind a blessing, even a grain offering and drink offering for the LORD your God?"

Majority Standard Bible
Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him?grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

NET Bible
Who knows? Perhaps he will be compassionate and grant a reprieve, and leave blessing in his wake--a meal offering and a drink offering for you to offer to the LORD your God!

New Heart English Bible
Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to the LORD, your God.

Webster's Bible Translation
Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat-offering and a drink-offering to the LORD your God?

World English Bible
Who knows? He may turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meal offering and a drink offering to Yahweh, your God.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Who knows—He turns back, "" Indeed—He has relented, "" And He has left behind Him a blessing, "" A present and drink-offering of your God YHWH?

Young's Literal Translation
Who knoweth -- He doth turn back, Yea -- He hath repented, And He hath left behind Him a blessing, A present and libation of Jehovah your God?

Smith's Literal Translation
Who shall know he will turn back, and lamenting and leaving a blessing after him, a gift and a libation to Jehovah your God?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Who knoweth but he will return, and forgive, and leave a blessing behind him, sacrifice and libation to the Lord your God?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Who knows if he might convert and forgive, and bequeath a blessing after him, a sacrifice and a libation to the Lord your God?

New American Bible
Perhaps he will again relent and leave behind a blessing, Grain offering and libation for the LORD, your God.

New Revised Standard Version
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Who knows if he will return again and multiply us, and increase his blessing in his land, even a meal offering and a drink offering to the LORD your God?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Who knows if he returns and has mercy on us and increases blessing in his place, and the meal offering and the drink offering to LORD JEHOVAH your God
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who knoweth whether He will not turn and repent, And leave a blessing behind Him, Even a meal-offering and a drink-offering Unto the LORD your God?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Who knows if he will return, and repent, and leave a blessing behind him, even a meat-offering and a drink-offering to the Lord your God?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Return with All Your Heart
13So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. 14Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him— grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God. 15Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly.…

Cross References
Jonah 3:9
Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”

Amos 5:15
Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”

Jeremiah 18:7-8
At any time I might announce that a nation or kingdom will be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed. / But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.

Hosea 6:1-2
Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds. / After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His presence.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.

Malachi 3:7
Yet from the days of your fathers, you have turned away from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD of Hosts. “But you ask, ‘How can we return?’

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

James 4:8-10
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. / Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

Luke 13:3
No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?


Treasury of Scripture

Who knows if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering to the LORD your God?

Who.

Exodus 32:30
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

Joshua 14:12
Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

1 Samuel 6:5
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

and leave.

Isaiah 65:8
Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster, and one saith, Destroy it not; for a blessing is in it: so will I do for my servants' sakes, that I may not destroy them all.

Haggai 2:19
Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.

even.

Joel 1:9,13,16
The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn…

Jump to Previous
Blessing Cereal Changed Drink Drink-Offering Grain Leave Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offering Oblation Offering Offerings Pity Purpose Relent Repent Repented Turn Whether
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Blessing Cereal Changed Drink Drink-Offering Grain Leave Meal Meal-Offering Meat Meat-Offering Oblation Offering Offerings Pity Purpose Relent Repent Repented Turn Whether
Joel 2
1. He shows unto Zion the terribleness of God's judgment.
12. He exhorts to repentance;
15. prescribes a fast;
18. promises a blessing thereon.
21. He comforts Zion with present,
28. and future blessings.














Who knows?
This phrase introduces an element of divine mystery and hope. In Hebrew, the phrase is "mi yodea," which suggests uncertainty but also the possibility of divine mercy. It reflects the human inability to predict God's actions, emphasizing His sovereignty. This rhetorical question invites the people to consider the potential for God's grace, even in the face of judgment. It encourages humility and repentance, acknowledging that while God's ways are beyond human understanding, His compassion is boundless.

He may turn and relent
The Hebrew words "yashuv" (turn) and "nicham" (relent) are significant here. "Yashuv" implies a change of direction or a return, often used in the context of repentance. "Nicham" suggests a change of heart or mind, often associated with divine compassion. Together, these words convey the hope that God might change His course of action from judgment to mercy. This reflects the biblical theme that God is not only just but also merciful, willing to forgive and restore those who earnestly seek Him.

and leave a blessing behind Him
The phrase "leave a blessing" indicates the possibility of divine favor following repentance. In the Hebrew context, a "blessing" (berakah) often refers to material and spiritual prosperity. The idea of God leaving a blessing "behind Him" suggests that His presence brings abundance and restoration. This is a powerful reminder that God's blessings are not just for the present but can have lasting effects, transforming desolation into abundance.

grain and drink offerings
These offerings were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing dedication and thanksgiving to God. The mention of "grain and drink offerings" (minchah and nesekh) highlights the restoration of worship practices that had been disrupted by the locust plague described earlier in Joel. It signifies a return to normalcy and the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. This restoration of offerings underscores the importance of worship and gratitude in the life of the believer.

for the LORD your God
This phrase emphasizes the personal relationship between God and His people. The use of "LORD" (YHWH) is significant, as it is the covenant name of God, reminding the Israelites of His faithfulness and promises. The phrase "your God" personalizes this relationship, indicating that the blessings and restoration are not just acts of divine power but expressions of a loving relationship. It calls the people to recognize and reaffirm their commitment to God, who is both their Creator and Redeemer.

(14) Even a meat offering.--The returning favour of the Lord will enable the daily sacrifices to be restored, which had failed through the visitation (Joel 1:9).

Verse 14. - Who knoweth if he will return and repent; that is, return from and repent of his purpose of executing judgment. And leave a blessing behind him; that is, leave behind him when returning from the exercise of judgment to resume his seat on the heavenly throne, the blessing being a replacement of the harvest fruits which the locusts had consumed, even a meat offering and a drink offering, for the service of the sanctuary as well as sustenance to supply the people's own bodily wants. Jerome explains the question of ver. 14 with much judgment as follows: "Lest perchance they might either despair on account of the magnitude of their crimes, or the greatness of the Divine clemency might make them careless." Besides

(1) the interrogative rendering, there is

(2) that of the Chaldee, followed by Rashi and Kimchi.

The latter says, "He that knows the way of repentance, let him repent, and God will repent of this evil." Also in addition to . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

knows?
יוֹדֵ֖עַ (yō·w·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

He may turn
יָשׁ֣וּב (yā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

and relent
וְנִחָ֑ם (wə·ni·ḥām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

and leave
וְהִשְׁאִ֤יר (wə·hiš·’îr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

a blessing
בְּרָכָ֔ה (bə·rā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1293: Benediction, prosperity

behind Him—
אַֽחֲרָיו֙ (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

grain
מִנְחָ֣ה (min·ḥāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4503: A donation, tribute, a sacrificial offering

and drink offerings
וָנֶ֔סֶךְ (wā·ne·seḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5262: A libation, a cast idol

to the LORD
לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Prophets: Joel 2:14 Who knows? He may turn and relent (Jl Joe.)
Joel 2:13
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