What does שׁוּב (šûḇ) mean in the Bible?
שׁוּב (shuv) is a common Hebrew verb for turning, returning, going back, bringing back, or restoring. Many occurrences describe ordinary movement, so the verb does not mean repentance every time it appears.
Hebrew · H7725
שׁוּב
To turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again
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שׁוּב H7725
Pronunciation šûḇ
What does שׁוּב (šûḇ) mean in the Bible?
שׁוּב (shuv) is a common Hebrew verb for turning, returning, going back, bringing back, or restoring. Many occurrences describe ordinary movement, so the verb does not mean repentance every time it appears.
Reader summary
Full entry for שׁוּב (H7725) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H7725?
The BSB source-word alignment has 1,057 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include Return (68), returned (50), . . . (43), back (26), will return (20).
Where does שׁוּב (šûḇ) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 3:19. Its strongest book concentrations include Jeremiah (111), Psalms (72), Genesis (68), 1 Kings (62).
Are there verse guides for שׁוּב (šûḇ)?
This entry includes 6 verse guides that explain exact original-language forms in context.
What This Word Actually Means
שׁוּב (shuv) is a common Hebrew verb for turning, returning, going back, bringing back, or restoring. Many occurrences describe ordinary movement, so the verb does not mean repentance every time it appears. In covenant and prophetic settings, however, returning to the Lord becomes a rich description of repentance: people turn from wicked ways, return to God, hear His voice, and seek His mercy.
Other stem forms can describe causing someone or something to return, including God's restoration of His people. Deuteronomy 30 joins Israel's return to the Lord with God's gathering and renewal after judgment. Isaiah 55 calls the wicked to forsake a way and return to the compassionate God. Hosea and Zechariah address a covenant people whose return must be truthful rather than merely verbal.
Christian teaching can connect this movement with New Testament calls to repent and turn to God, but the Hebrew verb itself should not be collapsed into one technical doctrine. Pastoral use must also distinguish return to God from pressure to return to an unsafe person, place, leader, or institution.
How the Bible Uses It
שׁוּב describes ordinary return, reversal of direction, and caused restoration. In prophetic appeals, the same verb can name repentance as return to the Lord. Stem, subject, object, and passage context determine the sense.
- Deut.30.2
And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey His voice with all your heart and all your soul according to everything I am giving you today,
Moses looks beyond covenant judgment to a return marked by hearing the Lord with heart and soul. The surrounding promise includes God's gathering and renewed work among His people.
- 2Chr.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.
The promise addresses the covenant people in the temple setting. Humility, prayer, seeking God, and turning from wicked ways belong together; the verse should not be detached into a guarantee for any modern nation.
- Isa.55.7
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.
The wicked person is called to abandon a way and return to the Lord, whose compassion and pardon are central. Repentance here is both turning from evil and seeking God's mercy.
- Hos.14.1
Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled by your iniquity.
Hosea names Israel's iniquity as the reason for stumbling and calls the people back to the Lord. The following verses supply words of confession and promise gracious healing.
- Zech.1.3
So tell the people that this is what the Lord of Hosts says: ‘Return to Me, declares the Lord of Hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of Hosts.’
The Lord calls the returned community to return to Him in covenant faithfulness. Physical presence in the land is not identical with spiritual return.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders It Return 68× Genesis 16:9, Genesis 20:7, Numbers 10:36, Numbers 23:5
returned 50× Genesis 18:33, Genesis 32:6, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:30
. . . 43× Genesis 8:3, Genesis 8:7, Genesis 14:16, Genesis 18:10
back 26× Genesis 24:6, Genesis 33:16, Genesis 38:29, Exodus 4:7
will return 20× Numbers 35:25, 1 Kings 12:27, Psalms 9:17, Psalms 51:13
and return 18× Genesis 31:13, Genesis 43:13, Exodus 13:17, Leviticus 25:27
Turn 17× Exodus 32:12, Judges 11:8, 2 Kings 17:13, Nehemiah 4:4
again 13× Numbers 11:4, 1 Kings 19:6, Job 7:7, Psalms 85:6
I will restore 13× 2 Samuel 9:7, 1 Kings 20:34, Isaiah 1:26, Jeremiah 29:14
Go back 12× Genesis 31:3, Genesis 32:9, Genesis 43:2, Genesis 44:25
Come back 9× 1 Samuel 15:30, 1 Samuel 26:21, 1 Kings 12:12, 2 Chronicles 10:5
to return 9× Genesis 31:55, Genesis 42:25, 1 Samuel 29:11, Nehemiah 9:26
revoke [My judgment] 8× Amos 1:3, Amos 1:6, Amos 1:9, Amos 1:11
turned 8× Joshua 7:26, Joshua 10:38, Joshua 19:29, Joshua 19:34
turned away 8× 2 Chronicles 12:12, Isaiah 5:25, Isaiah 9:12, Isaiah 9:17
turns 8× Jeremiah 18:8, Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 18:21, Ezekiel 18:24
and returned 7× Genesis 21:32, Genesis 44:13, Numbers 24:25, Joshua 6:14
had returned 7× Numbers 14:36, Joshua 2:22, 1 Samuel 24:1, 1 Kings 12:20
I will return 7× Genesis 18:14, Job 1:21, Jeremiah 50:19, Hosea 2:7
restore 7× Judges 11:13, 2 Kings 8:6, Nehemiah 5:11, Psalms 51:12
turn away 7× Joshua 22:18, 1 Kings 9:6, 2 Kings 23:26, 2 Chronicles 7:19
you return 7× Genesis 3:19, Judges 6:18, 2 Samuel 15:34, 2 Chronicles 30:9
and turn 6× 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalms 22:27, Psalms 81:14, Isaiah 6:10
returns 6× Job 7:10, Proverbs 12:14, Proverbs 26:11, Ecclesiastes 12:7
turn back 6× Exodus 14:2, 2 Samuel 22:38, Job 39:22, Psalms 18:37
and restore 5× Genesis 40:13, 1 Kings 12:21, 2 Chronicles 11:1, Jeremiah 42:12
he returned 5× Genesis 50:14, Judges 7:15, 2 Kings 2:25, 2 Kings 19:36
Restore us 5× Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, Psalms 80:19, Psalms 85:4
to restore 5× 2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 19:11, 2 Samuel 19:12, Jeremiah 29:10
will restore 5× Deuteronomy 30:3, 2 Samuel 16:3, Jeremiah 28:3, Jeremiah 28:4
- 4× Deuteronomy 23:13, Joshua 22:9, 2 Kings 1:11, 2 Chronicles 20:27
and repay 4× 2 Samuel 16:12, Hosea 4:9, Hosea 12:2, Hosea 12:14
I will restore them 4× Jeremiah 30:3, Jeremiah 32:44, Jeremiah 33:26, Zechariah 10:6
repent 4× 1 Kings 13:33, Psalms 7:12, Ezekiel 14:6, Ezekiel 18:30
restored 4× 2 Kings 14:25, Nehemiah 13:9, Job 42:10, Psalms 126:1
Then he returned 4× 2 Kings 14:14, 2 Kings 23:20, 2 Chronicles 25:24, 2 Chronicles 34:7
to turn 4× Jeremiah 18:20, Ezekiel 13:22, Ezekiel 33:9, Ezekiel 38:12
turned back 4× Joshua 11:10, Judges 3:19, Judges 7:3, Judges 20:48
went back 4× Genesis 22:19, 1 Samuel 15:31, 2 Kings 5:15, Isaiah 38:8
you turn 4× Deuteronomy 30:10, Nehemiah 4:12, Job 15:13, Isaiah 58:13
and return him 3× Genesis 37:22, 1 Kings 22:26, 2 Chronicles 18:25
and then return 3× Genesis 50:5, 1 Kings 12:5, Daniel 11:9
and turn away 3× Deuteronomy 23:14, Joshua 22:29, Ezekiel 14:6
and turned back 3× Numbers 33:7, 1 Kings 12:24, 2 Chronicles 11:4
away 3× 1 Samuel 6:7, Proverbs 24:18, Ezekiel 14:6
be revoked 3× Esther 8:8, Isaiah 45:23, Ezekiel 7:13
bring back 3× 2 Samuel 14:21, Psalms 28:4, Ezekiel 34:16
deny 3× 1 Kings 2:16, 1 Kings 2:20
had brought him back 3× 1 Kings 13:20, 1 Kings 13:23, 1 Kings 13:26
repay 3× Leviticus 25:27, 1 Samuel 26:23, 2 Chronicles 32:25
restores 3× Psalms 14:7, Psalms 53:6, Ezekiel 33:15
retreat 3× Psalms 9:3, Psalms 70:3, Psalms 74:21
So he returned 3× Numbers 23:6, Judges 17:4, 2 Chronicles 22:6
they returned 3× 1 Samuel 6:16, Ezra 2:1, Nehemiah 7:6
they will return 3× Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:8, Hosea 14:7
to go back 3× Numbers 14:3, Deuteronomy 17:16, Judges 18:26
When I restore 3× Jeremiah 31:23, Hosea 6:11, Zephaniah 3:20
will again 3× Deuteronomy 30:8, Deuteronomy 30:9, Psalms 94:15
will turn 3× Deuteronomy 13:17, Jeremiah 2:35, Jeremiah 36:3
and [later] they would return them 2× 1 Kings 14:28, 2 Chronicles 12:11
and [then] return 2× 2 Samuel 10:5, 1 Chronicles 19:5
and again 2× Job 10:16, Zechariah 6:1
and I will return 2× Zechariah 1:3, Malachi 3:7
and I will return them 2× Jeremiah 23:3, Jeremiah 32:37
and restored 2× Genesis 20:14, 2 Chronicles 26:2
and take 2× Deuteronomy 4:39, 2 Samuel 15:20
and they repent 2× 1 Kings 8:47, 2 Chronicles 6:37
and they return 2× 1 Kings 8:33, 2 Chronicles 6:24
and they turn 2× 1 Kings 8:35, 2 Chronicles 6:26
and turned 2× Psalms 119:59, Ezekiel 18:28
and turned them back 2× 2 Chronicles 19:4, Jeremiah 23:22
and when they come 2× 1 Kings 8:47, 2 Chronicles 6:37
and when they return 2× 1 Kings 8:48, 2 Chronicles 6:38
broke off 2× 1 Samuel 23:28, 2 Samuel 18:16
brought back 2× 2 Samuel 14:13, Ezekiel 34:4
can stop Him 2× Job 9:12, Job 11:10
can you repel 2× 2 Kings 18:24, Isaiah 36:9
coming back 2× 2 Kings 9:18, 2 Kings 9:20
For he rebuilt 2× 2 Kings 21:3, 2 Chronicles 33:3
has repaid 2× 2 Samuel 22:25, Psalms 18:24
has turned away 2× Isaiah 12:1, Hosea 14:4
have returned 2× Joshua 2:16, 1 Samuel 6:21
He may turn 2× Joel 2:14, Jonah 3:9
he must pay 2× Exodus 21:34, Leviticus 25:51
he must return 2× Leviticus 6:4, Job 20:18
he returns 2× Job 33:25, Psalms 146:4
He will go back 2× 2 Kings 19:33, Isaiah 37:34
he withdrew 2× 2 Kings 19:8, Isaiah 37:8
I will send you back 2× 2 Kings 19:28, Isaiah 37:29
I will turn 2× Isaiah 1:25, Amos 1:8
I will turn you around 2× Ezekiel 38:4, Ezekiel 39:2
indeed 2× 2 Samuel 15:8, 1 Kings 9:6
is to return 2× Leviticus 14:39, Ezekiel 46:9
Let us return 2× Jeremiah 46:16, Hosea 6:1
may return 2× Deuteronomy 3:20, Joshua 20:6
may turn away 2× Numbers 25:4, Daniel 9:16
May You restore them 2× 1 Kings 8:34, 2 Chronicles 6:25
must return 2× Job 20:10, Hosea 12:6
of you must return 2× 1 Kings 12:24, 2 Chronicles 11:4
On returning 2× Joshua 7:3, 2 Kings 7:8
once again 2× Joshua 5:2, Psalms 71:20
or return 2× 1 Kings 13:9, 1 Kings 13:17
Reconsider 2× Job 6:29
reject 2× 2 Chronicles 6:42, Psalms 132:10
Return home 2× Ruth 1:11, Ruth 1:12
return it 2× Exodus 22:26, Judges 17:3
so that he may return 2× Leviticus 25:28, 2 Chronicles 30:6
So they brought 2× 2 Kings 22:20, 2 Chronicles 34:28
take 2× Genesis 24:8, Isaiah 46:8
that we send back 2× 1 Kings 12:9, 2 Chronicles 10:9
Then they returned 2× 2 Chronicles 14:15, 2 Chronicles 28:15
they repented 2× Psalms 78:34, Zechariah 1:6
They return 2× Psalms 59:6, Psalms 59:14
they turn 2× Job 36:10, Hosea 7:16
they turned back 2× 1 Kings 22:33, 2 Chronicles 18:32
to repent 2× Jeremiah 5:3, Hosea 11:5
to respond 2× 1 Kings 12:6, 2 Chronicles 10:6
vvv 2× Deuteronomy 24:4, Jeremiah 41:14
was restored 2× 1 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 5:14
will bring 2× 1 Kings 2:32, 1 Kings 2:44
will turn away 2× 2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 30:8
withdraw 2× 2 Kings 18:14, Lamentations 2:8
would return 2× Esther 2:14, Job 34:15
you ever return 2× 1 Kings 22:28, 2 Chronicles 18:27
you may return 2× Genesis 43:12, Numbers 32:22
you turn away 2× Numbers 32:15, Joshua 23:12
you will return 2× Deuteronomy 4:30, Jeremiah 4:1
[and] withdrawn 1× Lamentations 2:3
[or] to turn 1× Ruth 1:16
[Tell me,] and I will restore [it] 1× 1 Samuel 12:3
[the men] returned 1× Numbers 13:25
[your descendants] will return 1× Genesis 15:16
about restoring 1× 2 Samuel 19:10
Abram returned 1× Genesis 14:17
Again [I looked] 1× Ecclesiastes 4:1
Again and again 1× Psalms 78:41
against turning 1× 2 Chronicles 36:13
also brought 1× Judges 9:57
and 1× Jeremiah 36:28
and allow him to return 1× Numbers 35:32
and Barzillai returned 1× 2 Samuel 19:39
and bring 1× Genesis 48:21
and bring her back 1× Judges 19:3
and bring them back 1× Ezekiel 29:14
and bring us 1× Deuteronomy 1:22
and brought back 1× Joshua 22:32
and brought it back 1× 1 Kings 13:29
and brought us 1× Deuteronomy 1:25
and continually 1× Ezekiel 8:17
and dole out 1× Leviticus 26:26
and drives 1× Proverbs 20:26
and each time I gave 1× Nehemiah 6:4
and God restores 1× Job 33:26
and had returned 1× 1 Kings 2:41
and He brought 1× 2 Kings 20:11
and he may return 1× Leviticus 25:41
and he turned 1× Malachi 2:6
and he turns 1× Ezekiel 33:14
and he went back 1× 2 Kings 2:13
And he will turn 1× Malachi 4:6
and he would render 1× 2 Kings 3:4
and headed back 1× Exodus 4:20
and I brought back 1× Joshua 14:7
and I will bring them back 1× Jeremiah 34:22
and I will bring you back 1× Genesis 28:15
and I will dwell 1× Psalms 23:6
and I will give 1× Numbers 22:8
and I will restore you 1× Jeremiah 29:14
and I will turn 1× Zechariah 13:7
and let him return 1× 1 Samuel 29:4
and may He restore 1× Jeremiah 28:6
and once again 1× 2 Chronicles 19:4
and paid 1× 2 Kings 17:3
and pay 1× Leviticus 25:52
and put 1× 1 Samuel 14:27
and recovered 1× 2 Kings 14:28
and reported 1× 2 Kings 22:9
and restore them 1× Jeremiah 27:22
and restored it 1× 2 Kings 14:22
and returns 1× Leviticus 22:13
and she returned 1× Genesis 8:9
and so recovered 1× 2 Kings 13:25
and then they returned 1× 1 Samuel 1:19
and then we will return 1× Genesis 22:5
And they lived 1× 2 Chronicles 19:8
and to restore 1× Isaiah 49:6
and took back 1× Jeremiah 34:11
and try again 1× Job 17:10
and turn back 1× Lamentations 3:40
and turned me 1× Lamentations 1:13
and turns 1× Lamentations 1:8
and was revived 1× 1 Samuel 30:12
and we have brought it back 1× Genesis 43:21
and went back 1× 1 Samuel 25:12
And when he had returned 1× Judges 17:3
and will again 1× Daniel 11:10
and will return 1× 2 Chronicles 30:9
and will return them 1× Jeremiah 24:6
and will turn it back 1× Daniel 11:18
and you call [them] 1× Deuteronomy 30:1
and You can reply 1× Job 13:22
And you returned 1× Deuteronomy 1:45
and you would return 1× Jeremiah 3:1
another 1× Daniel 11:13
answer him 1× Job 32:14
answer me 1× Job 33:32
answered him 1× 1 Samuel 17:30
are returning 1× 1 Samuel 7:3
back to me 1× Genesis 37:14
back up 1× Psalms 71:20
be sure to return 1× Deuteronomy 24:13
be sure to return it 1× Deuteronomy 22:1
become 1× Isaiah 29:17
bent 1× Psalms 89:43
bring 1× Psalms 72:10
Bring him back 1× 1 Kings 13:18
bring in 1× Job 39:12
bring it back 1× Proverbs 19:24
brings me back 1× 2 Samuel 15:8
brought 1× Exodus 19:8
but [if] you return 1× Nehemiah 1:9
but again 1× 1 Kings 13:33
But I will restore 1× Ezekiel 16:53
But I withheld 1× Ezekiel 20:22
But now you have changed your minds 1× Jeremiah 34:16
but restores 1× Ezekiel 18:7
but the man of God went back 1× 1 Kings 13:19
but we will rebuild 1× Malachi 1:4
but you went back 1× 1 Kings 13:22
by all means return [it] 1× 1 Samuel 6:3
by turning 1× Daniel 9:13
by turning away 1× Joshua 22:16
came back 1× 1 Kings 20:5
can I repay 1× Psalms 116:12
can I reply to You 1× Job 40:4
can oppose Him 1× Job 23:13
can restrain her passion 1× Jeremiah 2:24
can reverse it 1× Isaiah 43:13
can turn it back 1× Isaiah 14:27
can we return 1× Malachi 3:7
catch 1× Job 9:18
change it 1× Numbers 23:20
changes 1× Leviticus 13:16
compel me to answer 1× Job 20:2
condemning 1× 2 Chronicles 6:23
considers 1× Isaiah 44:19
do You withdraw 1× Psalms 74:11
Does one turn away 1× Jeremiah 8:4
draw back 1× Joshua 8:26
Elisha turned away 1× 2 Kings 4:35
ever returning 1× Ecclesiastes 1:6
flowed back 1× Exodus 14:28
follow 1× Ruth 1:15
For I will return them 1× Jeremiah 16:15
given 1× Proverbs 24:26
go away 1× Proverbs 25:10
go home 1× 1 Kings 13:16
had dismissed 1× 2 Chronicles 25:13
had sent back 1× 1 Samuel 6:17
has been returned 1× Genesis 42:28
has brought 1× 1 Samuel 25:39
has brought me back 1× Ruth 1:21
has gone back 1× Ruth 1:15
has paid you back 1× 2 Samuel 16:8
has passed 1× Job 14:13
has pursued 1× Jeremiah 8:6
has taken back 1× Jeremiah 34:16
has turned 1× Numbers 25:11
have you returned 1× 2 Kings 1:5
he had brought back 1× Jeremiah 41:16
he had recovered 1× Jeremiah 41:16
He has repaid 1× 2 Samuel 22:21
He has repaid me 1× Psalms 18:20
he has turned away 1× 1 Samuel 15:11
He keeps turning 1× Lamentations 3:3
He must make full restitution 1× Numbers 5:7
he refreshes 1× Proverbs 25:13
He restores 1× Psalms 23:3
He retrieved 1× Genesis 14:16
he turns 1× Ezekiel 33:12
He who answers 1× Proverbs 18:13
He will afflict you again 1× Deuteronomy 28:60
He will again 1× Micah 7:19
He will bring 1× Psalms 94:23
He will bring me back 1× 2 Samuel 15:25
He will reward 1× Psalms 54:5
He will take 1× Deuteronomy 32:43
He will turn 1× Joshua 24:20
He withholds 1× Ezekiel 18:17
her repentant ones 1× Isaiah 1:27
his return 1× Job 15:22
I bring him back 1× 2 Samuel 12:23
I must repay 1× Psalms 69:4
I must return 1× Daniel 10:20
I restore 1× Joel 3:1
I return 1× 2 Chronicles 18:26
I returned 1× Jeremiah 31:19
I should answer 1× Habakkuk 2:1
I should reply 1× 1 Chronicles 21:12
I was restored 1× Genesis 41:13
I will bring [them] up 1× Psalms 68:22
I will bring them back 1× Zechariah 10:10
I will go back 1× Numbers 22:34
I will keep on 1× Genesis 30:31
I will make 1× Isaiah 38:8
I will once again 1× Jeremiah 12:15
I will repay 1× Proverbs 24:29
I will restore you 1× Jeremiah 15:19
I will retrieve [them] 1× Psalms 68:22
I will surely return 1× Genesis 18:10
I will take 1× Deuteronomy 32:41
I will take back 1× Hosea 2:9
If anyone returns 1× Proverbs 17:13
If you had repented 1× Proverbs 1:23
if you return 1× 2 Chronicles 30:9
is turned away 1× Ezra 10:14
It must return 1× 1 Samuel 5:11
it turned 1× Joshua 19:12
it was restored 1× Exodus 4:7
It will be rebuilt 1× Daniel 9:25
keeps 1× Judges 5:29
leading back 1× Ruth 1:7
led you astray 1× Isaiah 47:10
let him return 1× Isaiah 55:7
let me return 1× Exodus 4:18
let them return 1× Psalms 85:8
let us go back 1× 1 Samuel 9:5
like men returning 1× Micah 2:8
may be restored 1× 1 Kings 13:6
may flow back 1× Exodus 14:26
may turn 1× Jonah 3:9
may turn back 1× Judges 7:3
might revert 1× 1 Kings 12:26
Nebuzaradan 1× Jeremiah 40:5
no one to revive 1× Lamentations 1:16
of restoring 1× 2 Samuel 19:43
of us returned 1× Nehemiah 4:15
of you is to return 1× Leviticus 25:10
of you shall return 1× Leviticus 25:13
once more 1× Jeremiah 6:9
one will turn 1× Jeremiah 36:7
or go 1× Zechariah 7:14
or turn 1× Nehemiah 9:35
or turn back 1× Jeremiah 4:28
paid 1× 2 Chronicles 27:5
Pay back 1× Psalms 79:12
Pharaoh restored 1× Genesis 40:21
pull it back 1× 1 Kings 13:4
Put 1× Numbers 17:10
reappears 1× Leviticus 14:43
receded 1× Genesis 8:3
recoils 1× Psalms 7:16
recover 1× Ezekiel 7:13
recovered 1× 2 Kings 16:6
Refute me 1× Job 33:5
render 1× Psalms 94:2
reopened 1× Genesis 26:18
repaid 1× Judges 9:56
repented 1× Jeremiah 34:15
reported 1× 2 Chronicles 34:16
reported back 1× Ezekiel 9:11
Rescue 1× Psalms 35:17
restore her 1× Genesis 20:7
Restore me 1× Jeremiah 31:18
Restorer 1× Isaiah 58:12
restrain 1× Job 9:13
Return [the sword] 1× Ezekiel 21:30
return me 1× Jeremiah 38:26
Return to your rest 1× Psalms 116:7
returning to her husband 1× 2 Samuel 17:3
reviving 1× Psalms 19:7
revoke 1× Psalms 132:11
send me back 1× Jeremiah 37:20
Send them back 1× Isaiah 42:22
sent 1× Esther 4:15
Shall I then take your son back 1× Genesis 24:5
shall return 1× Leviticus 27:24
shall we again 1× Ezra 9:14
she did not return 1× Genesis 8:12
she returned 1× Judges 11:39
she would return 1× Jeremiah 3:7
should come back 1× Esther 9:25
should turn 1× Ezekiel 33:11
should we send back 1× 1 Samuel 6:4
So 1× 2 Kings 1:13
So [Elisha] turned back 1× 1 Kings 19:21
So [Hirah] returned 1× Genesis 38:22
So He brought him back 1× 2 Chronicles 33:13
So he returned [home] 1× 2 Samuel 3:16
So he went back 1× 2 Kings 4:31
So he will return 1× Daniel 11:30
So he withdrew 1× 2 Chronicles 32:21
So I answered 1× Nehemiah 2:20
So repent 1× Ezekiel 18:32
So Sennacherib again 1× 2 Kings 19:9
so that I can answer 1× Proverbs 27:11
so that I may return 1× Genesis 28:21
so they returned 1× 2 Samuel 17:20
So they went back 1× 2 Kings 9:36
so we may return 1× Lamentations 5:21
So you will again 1× Malachi 3:18
something else 1× Ecclesiastes 9:11
started back 1× Joshua 2:23
subsides 1× Genesis 27:44
take it back 1× Judges 11:35
take me back 1× Judges 11:9
take Your seat 1× Psalms 7:7
that had returned 1× Nehemiah 8:17
that has recovered 1× Ezekiel 38:8
that he turn 1× Ezekiel 18:23
that I may return 1× Jeremiah 31:18
that I will restore 1× Zechariah 9:12
that was put back 1× Genesis 43:12
that was returned 1× Genesis 43:18
that you may 1× Proverbs 22:21
The king of the North will return 1× Daniel 11:28
The man then brought me back 1× Ezekiel 44:1
the restitution 1× Numbers 5:8
Then [the man] brought me back 1× Ezekiel 47:1
Then [your children] will return 1× Jeremiah 31:16
Then come back 1× 1 Samuel 23:23
Then he will surely repay 1× Genesis 50:15
Then he will turn 1× Daniel 11:18
Then he will turn back 1× Daniel 11:30
Then he would return 1× 1 Samuel 27:9
Then I headed back 1× Nehemiah 2:15
then it will revert 1× Ezekiel 46:17
Then Moses would return 1× Exodus 33:11
Then she returned 1× 2 Samuel 11:4
Then she will return 1× Isaiah 23:17
Then they turned back 1× Genesis 14:7
Then they would return 1× Genesis 29:3
then turned 1× Joshua 19:27
then turned back 1× Joshua 19:29
then withdraw 1× 2 Samuel 11:15
then you can return it 1× Deuteronomy 22:2
Then you may return 1× Joshua 1:15
Therefore turn back 1× 1 Samuel 29:7
they again 1× Nehemiah 9:28
they answered 1× 2 Chronicles 10:16
They brought back 1× Numbers 13:26
they changed their minds 1× Jeremiah 34:11
they had turned 1× Jonah 3:10
they have nothing to say 1× Isaiah 41:28
They have returned 1× Jeremiah 11:10
they must retire 1× Numbers 8:25
they paid you with 1× Ezekiel 27:15
they render 1× Numbers 18:9
they turned 1× 2 Chronicles 15:4
they turned around 1× Joshua 8:21
They will turn 1× Isaiah 19:22
they will turn back 1× Psalms 6:10
this reply 1× Esther 4:13
those who come 1× Ezekiel 35:7
to bring [the people] back 1× 2 Chronicles 24:19
to bring back 1× Job 33:30
to bring it back 1× Proverbs 26:15
to divert 1× Psalms 106:23
to execute 1× Isaiah 66:15
to get back 1× Jonah 1:13
to go 1× 2 Kings 20:10
to keep themselves 1× Lamentations 1:19
to keep themselves alive 1× Lamentations 1:11
to leave 1× Ruth 1:6
to repay 1× Leviticus 25:28
to retreat 1× Proverbs 30:30
to return it 1× Ezekiel 21:5
to return them 1× Nehemiah 9:17
to revoke 1× Esther 8:5
to say 1× 2 Samuel 3:11
to stop 1× 2 Samuel 2:26
to those who repel 1× Isaiah 28:6
to turn away 1× Joshua 22:23
to turn back 1× Nehemiah 9:29
to ward off 1× Lamentations 2:14
to whom restitution can be made for 1× Numbers 5:8
to You again 1× Nehemiah 9:28
turn you down 1× 1 Kings 2:17
turned to go 1× Jeremiah 40:5
turns away 1× Proverbs 15:1
turns his back 1× Jeremiah 23:14
until he turned 1× 2 Kings 24:1
wanes 1× Genesis 27:45
we could have come and gone 1× Genesis 43:10
We even brought back 1× Genesis 44:8
we return 1× Exodus 24:14
We will restore [it] 1× Nehemiah 5:12
we will return 1× Ruth 1:10
were brought back 1× Exodus 10:8
were restored 1× 1 Samuel 7:14
were returning home 1× 1 Samuel 18:6
When [Samson] returned 1× Judges 14:8
when he returned 1× 2 Samuel 8:13
When he turned back 1× Genesis 42:24
When I arrived 1× Ezekiel 47:7
When I bring them back 1× Ezekiel 39:27
When I return 1× Judges 8:9
when I will restore 1× Jeremiah 30:3
When they returned 1× 2 Kings 2:18
who answer 1× Proverbs 26:16
who brought him back 1× 2 Samuel 3:26
who confounds 1× Isaiah 44:25
who had returned 1× Ezra 6:21
who has returned 1× Ruth 4:3
who must turn 1× Jeremiah 15:19
who returned 1× Ruth 2:6
who turn 1× Isaiah 59:20
will also return 1× Ezekiel 16:55
will be brought back 1× Jeremiah 27:16
will be restored 1× 2 Kings 5:10
will be used again 1× Micah 1:7
will come back 1× 1 Kings 2:33
will go back 1× Jeremiah 37:7
will have it roll back 1× Proverbs 26:27
Will He not repay 1× Proverbs 24:12
will I answer 1× Job 31:14
will reply 1× Job 35:4
will retreat 1× Psalms 56:9
will return him 1× Genesis 42:37
will return you 1× Deuteronomy 28:68
will you return 1× Nehemiah 2:6
withdrew 1× 2 Kings 15:20
Would You now return me 1× Job 10:9
yet again 1× Isaiah 21:12
yet he has paid me back 1× 1 Samuel 25:21
Yet I call 1× Lamentations 3:21
you {shall} return 1× Genesis 3:19
you are sending back 1× 1 Samuel 6:8
You have made us retreat 1× Psalms 44:10
you have turned 1× Numbers 14:43
you must return it 1× Exodus 23:4
You restored 1× Psalms 85:1
You turned from 1× Psalms 85:3
You will bring me down 1× Job 30:23
You will pay them back 1× Lamentations 3:64
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 3:19 שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ to you return Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular Genesis 3:19 תָּשֽׁוּב׃ to you {shall} return Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Genesis 8:3 וַיָּשֻׁ֧בוּ to receded Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Genesis 8:3 וָשׁ֑וֹב to . . . Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Genesis 8:7 וָשׁ֔וֹב to . . . Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Genesis 8:9 וַתָּ֤שָׁב to and she returned Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular Genesis 8:12 שׁוּב־ to she did not return Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Genesis 14:7 וַ֠יָּשֻׁבוּ to Then they turned back Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Genesis 14:16 וַיָּ֕שֶׁב to He retrieved Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Genesis 14:16 הֵשִׁ֔יב to . . . Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row Genesis 3:19
Aligned rows 1,057
Books represented 38
Genesis 68 Exodus 28 Leviticus 18 Numbers 31 Deuteronomy 35 Joshua 36 Judges 29 Ruth 15 1 Samuel 45 2 Samuel 53 1 Kings 62 2 Kings 55 1 Chronicles 5 2 Chronicles 61 Ezra 4 Nehemiah 20 Esther 8 Job 39 Psalms 72 Proverbs 23 Ecclesiastes 10 Song Of Solomon 4 Isaiah 51 Jeremiah 111 Lamentations 14 Ezekiel 62 Daniel 16 Hosea 22 Joel 6 Amos 15 Obadiah 1 Jonah 5 Micah 4 Nahum 1 Habakkuk 1 Zephaniah 2 Zechariah 18 Malachi 7
Source forms
וַיָּ֖שָׁב 12x way·yā·šāḇ Exodus 4:20, Judges 19:7, 1 Samuel 27:9, 2 Samuel 19:39
לְהָשִׁ֥יב 12x lə·hā·šîḇ 2 Samuel 3:11, 2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 19:10, 2 Samuel 19:11
וַיָּ֤שָׁב 11x way·yā·šāḇ Genesis 22:19, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 42:24, Numbers 16:50
וַיָּ֣שָׁב 11x way·yā·šāḇ Numbers 23:6, Numbers 24:25, Joshua 22:32, Judges 7:3
וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ 10x way·yā·šu·ḇū Genesis 21:32, Genesis 44:13, Numbers 13:25, Joshua 6:14
שָׁ֥ב 10x šāḇ Genesis 18:33, 1 Samuel 26:25, 2 Samuel 20:22, 1 Kings 13:33
שָׁ֣ב 10x šāḇ 1 Samuel 24:1, 1 Kings 12:20, 1 Kings 13:10, 2 Kings 23:26
אָשִׁ֥יב 9x ’ā·šîḇ 2 Samuel 24:13, 1 Chronicles 21:12, Psalms 81:14, Psalms 116:12
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular 83x Genesis 22:19, Genesis 26:18, Genesis 31:55, Genesis 33:16
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular 54x Leviticus 13:16, Leviticus 14:43, Leviticus 25:41, Leviticus 27:24
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural 51x Genesis 8:3, Genesis 14:7, Genesis 21:32, Genesis 32:6
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular 32x Exodus 33:11, Leviticus 14:39, Leviticus 25:27, Leviticus 25:28
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular 32x Genesis 18:33, Judges 3:19, 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 24:1
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct 31x Numbers 5:8, 2 Samuel 3:11, 2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 19:10
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural 30x Genesis 43:2, Genesis 43:13, Genesis 44:25, Deuteronomy 5:30
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular 25x Genesis 14:16, Genesis 20:14, Genesis 40:21, Exodus 4:7
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Repentance may require confession, restitution, changed conduct, and accountable boundaries, not merely a private feeling or public statement.
- Returning to the Lord does not mean returning to an abusive relationship, leader, congregation, or setting without safety, truth, and appropriate accountability.
Avoid claiming...
- Do not claim that every use of שׁוּב refers to conversion or that the word alone supplies a complete doctrine of repentance.
- Do not use Second Chronicles 7:14 as an automatic political formula for a modern nation detached from its temple and covenant setting.
Key Verse and Form Guides
Verse-level guides showing how this original-language form works in its specific context, including grammar, verse function, and guarded interpretation.
Genesis 15:16 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
יָשׁ֣וּבוּ yā·šū·ḇū to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again The form helps readers follow the promised sequence: Abram's descendants will return after the named delay. Read verse guide Jonah 1:13 Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
לְהָשִׁ֛יב lə·hā·šîḇ to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again The form clarifies that the sailors are not passive observers; they actively try to return to land before the narrative shows they cannot overcome the storm. Read verse guide Jonah 3:8 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
וְיָשֻׁ֗בוּ wə·yā·šu·ḇū to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again The form matters because it carries the decree's call for the people to turn from evil and violence. Read verse guide Psalms 23:3 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
יְשׁוֹבֵ֑ב yə·šō·w·ḇêḇ to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again The form clarifies restoration as the LORD's shepherding action in the clause. Read verse guide Psalms 51:12 Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
הָשִׁ֣יבָה hā·šî·ḇāh to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again The form makes restoration an act requested from God. Read verse guide Psalms 51:13 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
יָשֽׁוּבוּ׃ yā·šū·ḇū to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again The form helps readers hear the hoped-for movement from restored testimony to sinners returning to God. Read verse guide Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Core concept of reversal or turning away; theologically dominant as repentance (turning from sin toward God)
Source Gloss
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat ; often adverbial, again
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups 4 Aligned forms 455
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 308×
Imperfect 2Kgs 19:33 · 2Kgs 20:9 · 2Kgs 20:10 · 2Sam 12:23 · Dan 11:29 · Deut 13:18 · Deut 28:31 · Deut 30:9 · Eccl 5:14 · Esth 9:25 · Ezek 7:13 · Ezek 18:21 · Ezek 46:9 · Hos 11:5 · Isa 10:21 · Isa 10:22 150×
Sequential imperfect 1Kgs 12:12 · 1Kgs 12:24 · 2Chr 10:12 · 2Chr 11:4 · 2Chr 30:6 · 2Kgs 1:6 · 2Kgs 17:13 · Deut 5:30 · Ezek 14:6 · Ezek 18:30 · Ezek 33:11 · Gen 43:2 · Gen 43:13 · Gen 44:25 · Isa 21:12 · Isa 31:6 64×
Perfect 1Kgs 12:20 · 1Kgs 13:10 · 1Kgs 13:33 · 1Sam 15:11 · 1Sam 24:2 · 1Sam 26:25 · 2Chr 12:12 · 2Kgs 2:25 · 2Kgs 4:38 · 2Kgs 9:18 · 2Kgs 9:20 · 2Kgs 23:25 · 2Kgs 23:26 · 2Sam 1:1 · 2Sam 2:30 · 2Sam 20:22 63×
Infinitive absolute 1Kgs 9:6 · 1Kgs 22:28 · 2Chr 18:27 · 2Sam 15:8 · Gen 18:10 · Jer 42:10 · Josh 2:16 · Josh 23:12 8×
Participle active 1Sam 7:3 · Eccl 1:6 · Eccl 1:7 · Esth 2:14 · Jer 8:6 · Jer 30:18 · Prov 26:11 7×
Jussive 2Sam 19:38 · Dan 9:16 · Judg 7:3 · Ps 74:21 · 1Kgs 22:17 · Ps 85:9 · 1Kgs 17:21 7×
Infinitive construct Ezek 13:22 · Gen 8:12 · Gen 27:45 · Job 14:13 · Job 15:22 · Num 14:3 6×
Cohortative Gen 30:31 · Num 22:34 2×
Participle passive Mic 2:8 1×
Hiphil causative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action 140×
Imperfect 1Kgs 2:17 · 1Sam 26:23 · 2Sam 15:8 · 2Sam 22:21 · Dan 11:18 · Deut 17:16 · Deut 32:43 · Exod 21:34 · Ezek 18:7 · Ezek 18:8 · Ezek 18:12 · Ezek 33:15 · Gen 50:15 · Hos 12:3 · Hos 12:15 · Isa 44:19 71×
Perfect 1Sam 25:39 · 1Sam 30:19 · 2Chr 25:13 · 2Chr 32:25 · 2Kgs 14:25 · 2Kgs 14:28 · 2Kgs 16:6 · 2Sam 16:8 · Ezek 18:17 · Gen 14:16 · Gen 41:13 · Jer 41:16 · Josh 8:26 · Judg 9:57 · Lam 2:3 · Lam 2:8 27×
Participle active Ezek 9:11 · Gen 20:7 · Isa 28:6 · Isa 38:8 · Isa 44:25 · Jer 28:3 · Jer 28:4 · Job 20:18 · Judg 11:9 · Lam 1:16 · Prov 17:13 · Prov 18:13 · Prov 24:26 · Prov 26:16 · Ps 19:8 15×
Sequential imperfect 1Sam 29:4 · 2Kgs 8:6 · 2Sam 14:21 · 2Sam 15:25 · Exod 4:7 · Ezek 21:35 · Gen 20:7 · Isa 42:22 · Jer 6:9 · Num 17:25 · Ps 28:4 · Ps 94:2 · Ezek 14:6 · Isa 46:8 · Neh 5:11 15×
Infinitive absolute 1Sam 6:3 · Deut 22:1 · Deut 24:13 · Exod 23:4 · Job 9:18 5×
Jussive 1Kgs 2:20 · 2Chr 6:42 · Ps 132:10 · 1Kgs 2:16 · 1Sam 6:3 5×
Infinitive construct 2Sam 14:13 · Lev 25:28 2×
Polel 5×
Imperfect Ps 23:3 · Ps 60:3 2×
Participle passive Ezek 38:8 1×
Participle active Isa 58:12 1×
Perfect Jer 8:5 1×
Hophal causative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action 2×
Perfect Gen 42:28 1×
Participle passive Jer 27:16 1×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
to return
to return, repay
to return
to return, repent
To turn back or repent.
To turn back or repent.
To turn back or repent.
To turn back or repent.
Showing 8 selected witnesses from 1,073 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
שׁוּב is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
The hinge of the passage is responsiveness. Wisdom’s reproof is meant to produce turning, not mere remorse. Hosea 11:1-7
Return signifies covenant restoration grounded in renewed faith. Hosea 12:7-14
The invitation to return frames the oracle as a call to repentance. Hosea 14:1-3
Salvation is linked to turning back to the Lord. Hosea 6:1-3
Restoration is tied to renewed covenant loyalty. Isaiah 10:20-23
The absence of returning to the Lord explains the persistence of judgment. Isaiah 21:11-12
Key covenant repentance term. Isaiah 30:8-17
Conveys repayment of covenant violation. Isaiah 31:1-9
Central covenant call to repentance.
Central covenant term for repentance.
Canonical Themes
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
The power of shuv lies in its ordinary movement. A traveler turns back, an object is returned, exiles are brought home, and a covenant people return to the Lord. Prophets use that familiar verb because repentance is not merely feeling bad about a former path. It involves a changed direction expressed in truth, worship, justice, and obedience. Yet the call is never self-rescue.
Isaiah points the returning sinner to God's compassion and abundant pardon. Deuteronomy promises that God gathers and renews. Hosea asks for honest words and announces gracious healing. This keeps repentance from becoming either superficial remorse or punitive self-repair. Christian teaching may connect shuv with the New Testament's calls to repent and turn to God, while preserving the Hebrew passages' covenant setting.
It must also resist coercion: returning to God never requires a harmed person to resume unsafe access, conceal wrongdoing, or bypass wise protection and lawful reporting.
Anchor passage
Deut.30.2
Doctrinal connections
- Deuteronomy 30:1-10 joins return to the Lord, renewed obedience, gathering, and God's transforming work.
- First Kings 8:33-53 uses return language in Solomon's prayer concerning defeat, exile, confession, and mercy.
- Isaiah 55:6-7 centers return on the Lord's compassion and abundant pardon.
- Hosea 14:1-4 joins return, confession, rejection of false trusts, and God's gracious healing.
- Joel 2:12-13 and Zechariah 1:3 call for wholehearted return rather than outward display alone.
- Acts 3:19 and 26:20 join repentance, turning to God, forgiveness, and deeds fitting repentance without making the Greek and Hebrew verbs identical.
שׁוּב is a high-frequency verb whose sense depends on stem and syntax. Qal commonly describes turning or returning; causative forms can describe bringing back or restoring. A destination introduced by 'to' may identify physical return, return to a person, or return to the Lord.
From Old to New Testament
The New Testament often speaks of repentance and turning to God with Greek vocabulary. Acts brings the ideas together in calls to repent and turn. The canonical connection is strong, but no single Greek word simply replaces every sense of shuv, and each passage must retain its own covenant and narrative setting.
Sources
MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0
Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain