# repent, repentance

## Definition:

The terms “repent” and “repentance” refer to turning away from sin and turning back to God.

* To “repent” literally means to “change one’s mind.”
* In the Bible, “repent” usually means to turn away from a sinful, human way of thinking and acting, and to turn to God’s way of thinking and acting.
* When people truly repent of their sins, God forgives them and helps them start obeying him.

## Translation Suggestions:

* The term “repent” can be translated with a word or phrase that means “turn back (to God)” or “turn away from sin and toward God” or “turn toward God, away from sin.”
* Often the term “repentance” can be translated using the verb “repent.” For example, “God has given repentance to Israel” could be translated as “God has enabled Israel to repent.”
* Other ways to translate “repentance” could include “turning away from sin” or “turning to God and away from sin.”

(See also: [forgive](../kt/forgive.md), [sin](../kt/sin.md), [turn](../other/turn.md))

## Bible References:

* [Acts 3:19-20](rc://en/tn/help/act/03/19)
* [Luke 3:3](rc://en/tn/help/luk/03/3)
* [Luke 3:8](rc://en/tn/help/luk/03/8)
* [Luke 5:32](rc://en/tn/help/luk/05/32)
* [Luke 24:47](rc://en/tn/help/luk/24/47)
* [Mark 1:14-15](rc://en/tn/help/mrk/01/14)
* [Matthew 3:3](rc://en/tn/help/mat/03/03)
* [Matthew 3:11](rc://en/tn/help/mat/03/11)
* [Matthew 4:17](rc://en/tn/help/mat/04/17)
* [Romans 2:4](rc://en/tn/help/rom/02/04)

## Examples from the Bible stories:

* __[16:2](rc://en/tn/help/obs/16/02)__ After many years of disobeying God and being oppressed by their enemies, the Israelites __repented__ and asked God to rescue them.
* __[17:13](rc://en/tn/help/obs/17/13)__ David __repented__ of his sin and God forgave him.
* __[19:18](rc://en/tn/help/obs/19/18)__ They (prophets) warned people that God would destroy them if they did not __repent__.
* __[24:2](rc://en/tn/help/obs/24/02)__ Many people came out to the wilderness to listen to John. He preached to them, saying, “__Repent__, for the kingdom of God is near!”
* __[42:8](rc://en/tn/help/obs/42/08)__ “It was also written in the scriptures that my disciples will proclaim that everyone should repent in order to __receive__ forgiveness for their sins.”
* __[44:5](rc://en/tn/help/obs/44/05)__ “So now, __repent__ and turn to God so that your sins will be washed away.”

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: H5150, H5162, H5164, G02780, G33380, G33400, G33410
