תְּשׁוּבָה
Teshuvah
Repentance, return, answer
If you think repentance means feeling guilty and saying sorry, the Hebrew word teshuvah (תְּשׁוּבָה) will transform your understanding. Teshuvah doesn't mean 'repentance' in the guilt-ridden sense we often imagine. It means 'return.' The root verb shuv — 'to turn back, to come home' — appears over 1,050 times in the Hebrew Bible, making it one of the most common verbs in all of Scripture. God's most persistent message to humanity isn't 'feel bad about what you've done.' It's 'come home.' The prodigal son story is the ultimate picture of teshuvah — and when you understand this word, you'll see that repentance is not punishment but invitation.
“'Return (shuv) to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.' Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful.”
Etymology & Root Letters
Teshuvah comes from the root שׁ-ו-ב (shin-vav-bet), meaning 'to return, turn back.' Biblical repentance is not primarily about guilt — it's about turning around and coming home to God.
How Teshuvah Is Used in Scripture
The verb 'shuv' (return) appears over 1,050 times in the Hebrew Bible — making it one of the most common verbs. God repeatedly calls His people to 'shuv' — to return. The prodigal son story is the ultimate picture of teshuvah.
Cultural & Modern Context
The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called the 'Ten Days of Teshuvah' — a season dedicated to returning to God. In Jewish thought, teshuvah is so powerful that it can transform past sins into merits.
How to Use Teshuvah in Prayer
Practice teshuvah by turning your heart back toward God. It's not about perfection — it's about direction. Every step back toward God is an act of teshuvah, and He runs to meet you.
People Also Ask About Teshuvah
What are the Ten Days of Teshuvah?
The Ten Days of Teshuvah (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah) is the period between Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). During these ten days, Jewish tradition teaches that God's 'books' are open and people have the opportunity to return to God, make amends, and seek forgiveness before the books are sealed on Yom Kippur.
Is teshuvah the same as repentance in Christianity?
Teshuvah and Christian repentance overlap but have different emphases. Christian repentance (Greek: metanoia) emphasizes a change of mind. Hebrew teshuvah emphasizes a change of direction — physically turning around and walking back toward God. Teshuvah is less about guilt and more about homecoming. Both are essential aspects of returning to God.
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