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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What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
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שׁוּבH7725
Pronunciationšûḇ
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 ItReturn68×Genesis 16:9, Genesis 20:7, Numbers 10:36, Numbers 23:5
returned50×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
back26×Genesis 24:6, Genesis 33:16, Genesis 38:29, Exodus 4:7
will return20×Numbers 35:25, 1 Kings 12:27, Psalms 9:17, Psalms 51:13
and return18×Genesis 31:13, Genesis 43:13, Exodus 13:17, Leviticus 25:27
Turn17×Exodus 32:12, Judges 11:8, 2 Kings 17:13, Nehemiah 4:4
again13×Numbers 11:4, 1 Kings 19:6, Job 7:7, Psalms 85:6
I will restore13×2 Samuel 9:7, 1 Kings 20:34, Isaiah 1:26, Jeremiah 29:14
Go back12×Genesis 31:3, Genesis 32:9, Genesis 43:2, Genesis 44:25
Come back9×1 Samuel 15:30, 1 Samuel 26:21, 1 Kings 12:12, 2 Chronicles 10:5
to return9×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
turned8×Joshua 7:26, Joshua 10:38, Joshua 19:29, Joshua 19:34
turned away8×2 Chronicles 12:12, Isaiah 5:25, Isaiah 9:12, Isaiah 9:17
turns8×Jeremiah 18:8, Ezekiel 3:20, Ezekiel 18:21, Ezekiel 18:24
and returned7×Genesis 21:32, Genesis 44:13, Numbers 24:25, Joshua 6:14
had returned7×Numbers 14:36, Joshua 2:22, 1 Samuel 24:1, 1 Kings 12:20
I will return7×Genesis 18:14, Job 1:21, Jeremiah 50:19, Hosea 2:7
restore7×Judges 11:13, 2 Kings 8:6, Nehemiah 5:11, Psalms 51:12
turn away7×Joshua 22:18, 1 Kings 9:6, 2 Kings 23:26, 2 Chronicles 7:19
you return7×Genesis 3:19, Judges 6:18, 2 Samuel 15:34, 2 Chronicles 30:9
and turn6×2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalms 22:27, Psalms 81:14, Isaiah 6:10
returns6×Job 7:10, Proverbs 12:14, Proverbs 26:11, Ecclesiastes 12:7
turn back6×Exodus 14:2, 2 Samuel 22:38, Job 39:22, Psalms 18:37
and restore5×Genesis 40:13, 1 Kings 12:21, 2 Chronicles 11:1, Jeremiah 42:12
he returned5×Genesis 50:14, Judges 7:15, 2 Kings 2:25, 2 Kings 19:36
Restore us5×Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, Psalms 80:19, Psalms 85:4
to restore5×2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 19:11, 2 Samuel 19:12, Jeremiah 29:10
will restore5×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 repay4×2 Samuel 16:12, Hosea 4:9, Hosea 12:2, Hosea 12:14
I will restore them4×Jeremiah 30:3, Jeremiah 32:44, Jeremiah 33:26, Zechariah 10:6
repent4×1 Kings 13:33, Psalms 7:12, Ezekiel 14:6, Ezekiel 18:30
restored4×2 Kings 14:25, Nehemiah 13:9, Job 42:10, Psalms 126:1
Then he returned4×2 Kings 14:14, 2 Kings 23:20, 2 Chronicles 25:24, 2 Chronicles 34:7
to turn4×Jeremiah 18:20, Ezekiel 13:22, Ezekiel 33:9, Ezekiel 38:12
turned back4×Joshua 11:10, Judges 3:19, Judges 7:3, Judges 20:48
went back4×Genesis 22:19, 1 Samuel 15:31, 2 Kings 5:15, Isaiah 38:8
you turn4×Deuteronomy 30:10, Nehemiah 4:12, Job 15:13, Isaiah 58:13
and return him3×Genesis 37:22, 1 Kings 22:26, 2 Chronicles 18:25
and then return3×Genesis 50:5, 1 Kings 12:5, Daniel 11:9
and turn away3×Deuteronomy 23:14, Joshua 22:29, Ezekiel 14:6
and turned back3×Numbers 33:7, 1 Kings 12:24, 2 Chronicles 11:4
away3×1 Samuel 6:7, Proverbs 24:18, Ezekiel 14:6
be revoked3×Esther 8:8, Isaiah 45:23, Ezekiel 7:13
bring back3×2 Samuel 14:21, Psalms 28:4, Ezekiel 34:16
deny3×1 Kings 2:16, 1 Kings 2:20
had brought him back3×1 Kings 13:20, 1 Kings 13:23, 1 Kings 13:26
repay3×Leviticus 25:27, 1 Samuel 26:23, 2 Chronicles 32:25
restores3×Psalms 14:7, Psalms 53:6, Ezekiel 33:15
retreat3×Psalms 9:3, Psalms 70:3, Psalms 74:21
So he returned3×Numbers 23:6, Judges 17:4, 2 Chronicles 22:6
they returned3×1 Samuel 6:16, Ezra 2:1, Nehemiah 7:6
they will return3×Jeremiah 24:7, Jeremiah 31:8, Hosea 14:7
to go back3×Numbers 14:3, Deuteronomy 17:16, Judges 18:26
When I restore3×Jeremiah 31:23, Hosea 6:11, Zephaniah 3:20
will again3×Deuteronomy 30:8, Deuteronomy 30:9, Psalms 94:15
will turn3×Deuteronomy 13:17, Jeremiah 2:35, Jeremiah 36:3
and [later] they would return them2×1 Kings 14:28, 2 Chronicles 12:11
and [then] return2×2 Samuel 10:5, 1 Chronicles 19:5
and again2×Job 10:16, Zechariah 6:1
and I will return2×Zechariah 1:3, Malachi 3:7
and I will return them2×Jeremiah 23:3, Jeremiah 32:37
and restored2×Genesis 20:14, 2 Chronicles 26:2
and take2×Deuteronomy 4:39, 2 Samuel 15:20
and they repent2×1 Kings 8:47, 2 Chronicles 6:37
and they return2×1 Kings 8:33, 2 Chronicles 6:24
and they turn2×1 Kings 8:35, 2 Chronicles 6:26
and turned2×Psalms 119:59, Ezekiel 18:28
and turned them back2×2 Chronicles 19:4, Jeremiah 23:22
and when they come2×1 Kings 8:47, 2 Chronicles 6:37
and when they return2×1 Kings 8:48, 2 Chronicles 6:38
broke off2×1 Samuel 23:28, 2 Samuel 18:16
brought back2×2 Samuel 14:13, Ezekiel 34:4
can stop Him2×Job 9:12, Job 11:10
can you repel2×2 Kings 18:24, Isaiah 36:9
coming back2×2 Kings 9:18, 2 Kings 9:20
For he rebuilt2×2 Kings 21:3, 2 Chronicles 33:3
has repaid2×2 Samuel 22:25, Psalms 18:24
has turned away2×Isaiah 12:1, Hosea 14:4
have returned2×Joshua 2:16, 1 Samuel 6:21
He may turn2×Joel 2:14, Jonah 3:9
he must pay2×Exodus 21:34, Leviticus 25:51
he must return2×Leviticus 6:4, Job 20:18
he returns2×Job 33:25, Psalms 146:4
He will go back2×2 Kings 19:33, Isaiah 37:34
he withdrew2×2 Kings 19:8, Isaiah 37:8
I will send you back2×2 Kings 19:28, Isaiah 37:29
I will turn2×Isaiah 1:25, Amos 1:8
I will turn you around2×Ezekiel 38:4, Ezekiel 39:2
indeed2×2 Samuel 15:8, 1 Kings 9:6
is to return2×Leviticus 14:39, Ezekiel 46:9
Let us return2×Jeremiah 46:16, Hosea 6:1
may return2×Deuteronomy 3:20, Joshua 20:6
may turn away2×Numbers 25:4, Daniel 9:16
May You restore them2×1 Kings 8:34, 2 Chronicles 6:25
must return2×Job 20:10, Hosea 12:6
of you must return2×1 Kings 12:24, 2 Chronicles 11:4
On returning2×Joshua 7:3, 2 Kings 7:8
once again2×Joshua 5:2, Psalms 71:20
or return2×1 Kings 13:9, 1 Kings 13:17
Reconsider2×Job 6:29
reject2×2 Chronicles 6:42, Psalms 132:10
Return home2×Ruth 1:11, Ruth 1:12
return it2×Exodus 22:26, Judges 17:3
so that he may return2×Leviticus 25:28, 2 Chronicles 30:6
So they brought2×2 Kings 22:20, 2 Chronicles 34:28
take2×Genesis 24:8, Isaiah 46:8
that we send back2×1 Kings 12:9, 2 Chronicles 10:9
Then they returned2×2 Chronicles 14:15, 2 Chronicles 28:15
they repented2×Psalms 78:34, Zechariah 1:6
They return2×Psalms 59:6, Psalms 59:14
they turn2×Job 36:10, Hosea 7:16
they turned back2×1 Kings 22:33, 2 Chronicles 18:32
to repent2×Jeremiah 5:3, Hosea 11:5
to respond2×1 Kings 12:6, 2 Chronicles 10:6
vvv2×Deuteronomy 24:4, Jeremiah 41:14
was restored2×1 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 5:14
will bring2×1 Kings 2:32, 1 Kings 2:44
will turn away2×2 Chronicles 29:10, 2 Chronicles 30:8
withdraw2×2 Kings 18:14, Lamentations 2:8
would return2×Esther 2:14, Job 34:15
you ever return2×1 Kings 22:28, 2 Chronicles 18:27
you may return2×Genesis 43:12, Numbers 32:22
you turn away2×Numbers 32:15, Joshua 23:12
you will return2×Deuteronomy 4:30, Jeremiah 4:1
[and] withdrawn1×Lamentations 2:3
[or] to turn1×Ruth 1:16
[Tell me,] and I will restore [it]1×1 Samuel 12:3
[the men] returned1×Numbers 13:25
[your descendants] will return1×Genesis 15:16
about restoring1×2 Samuel 19:10
Abram returned1×Genesis 14:17
Again [I looked]1×Ecclesiastes 4:1
Again and again1×Psalms 78:41
against turning1×2 Chronicles 36:13
also brought1×Judges 9:57
and1×Jeremiah 36:28
and allow him to return1×Numbers 35:32
and Barzillai returned1×2 Samuel 19:39
and bring1×Genesis 48:21
and bring her back1×Judges 19:3
and bring them back1×Ezekiel 29:14
and bring us1×Deuteronomy 1:22
and brought back1×Joshua 22:32
and brought it back1×1 Kings 13:29
and brought us1×Deuteronomy 1:25
and continually1×Ezekiel 8:17
and dole out1×Leviticus 26:26
and drives1×Proverbs 20:26
and each time I gave1×Nehemiah 6:4
and God restores1×Job 33:26
and had returned1×1 Kings 2:41
and He brought1×2 Kings 20:11
and he may return1×Leviticus 25:41
and he turned1×Malachi 2:6
and he turns1×Ezekiel 33:14
and he went back1×2 Kings 2:13
And he will turn1×Malachi 4:6
and he would render1×2 Kings 3:4
and headed back1×Exodus 4:20
and I brought back1×Joshua 14:7
and I will bring them back1×Jeremiah 34:22
and I will bring you back1×Genesis 28:15
and I will dwell1×Psalms 23:6
and I will give1×Numbers 22:8
and I will restore you1×Jeremiah 29:14
and I will turn1×Zechariah 13:7
and let him return1×1 Samuel 29:4
and may He restore1×Jeremiah 28:6
and once again1×2 Chronicles 19:4
and paid1×2 Kings 17:3
and pay1×Leviticus 25:52
and put1×1 Samuel 14:27
and recovered1×2 Kings 14:28
and reported1×2 Kings 22:9
and restore them1×Jeremiah 27:22
and restored it1×2 Kings 14:22
and returns1×Leviticus 22:13
and she returned1×Genesis 8:9
and so recovered1×2 Kings 13:25
and then they returned1×1 Samuel 1:19
and then we will return1×Genesis 22:5
And they lived1×2 Chronicles 19:8
and to restore1×Isaiah 49:6
and took back1×Jeremiah 34:11
and try again1×Job 17:10
and turn back1×Lamentations 3:40
and turned me1×Lamentations 1:13
and turns1×Lamentations 1:8
and was revived1×1 Samuel 30:12
and we have brought it back1×Genesis 43:21
and went back1×1 Samuel 25:12
And when he had returned1×Judges 17:3
and will again1×Daniel 11:10
and will return1×2 Chronicles 30:9
and will return them1×Jeremiah 24:6
and will turn it back1×Daniel 11:18
and you call [them]1×Deuteronomy 30:1
and You can reply1×Job 13:22
And you returned1×Deuteronomy 1:45
and you would return1×Jeremiah 3:1
another1×Daniel 11:13
answer him1×Job 32:14
answer me1×Job 33:32
answered him1×1 Samuel 17:30
are returning1×1 Samuel 7:3
back to me1×Genesis 37:14
back up1×Psalms 71:20
be sure to return1×Deuteronomy 24:13
be sure to return it1×Deuteronomy 22:1
become1×Isaiah 29:17
bent1×Psalms 89:43
bring1×Psalms 72:10
Bring him back1×1 Kings 13:18
bring in1×Job 39:12
bring it back1×Proverbs 19:24
brings me back1×2 Samuel 15:8
brought1×Exodus 19:8
but [if] you return1×Nehemiah 1:9
but again1×1 Kings 13:33
But I will restore1×Ezekiel 16:53
But I withheld1×Ezekiel 20:22
But now you have changed your minds1×Jeremiah 34:16
but restores1×Ezekiel 18:7
but the man of God went back1×1 Kings 13:19
but we will rebuild1×Malachi 1:4
but you went back1×1 Kings 13:22
by all means return [it]1×1 Samuel 6:3
by turning1×Daniel 9:13
by turning away1×Joshua 22:16
came back1×1 Kings 20:5
can I repay1×Psalms 116:12
can I reply to You1×Job 40:4
can oppose Him1×Job 23:13
can restrain her passion1×Jeremiah 2:24
can reverse it1×Isaiah 43:13
can turn it back1×Isaiah 14:27
can we return1×Malachi 3:7
catch1×Job 9:18
change it1×Numbers 23:20
changes1×Leviticus 13:16
compel me to answer1×Job 20:2
condemning1×2 Chronicles 6:23
considers1×Isaiah 44:19
do You withdraw1×Psalms 74:11
Does one turn away1×Jeremiah 8:4
draw back1×Joshua 8:26
Elisha turned away1×2 Kings 4:35
ever returning1×Ecclesiastes 1:6
flowed back1×Exodus 14:28
follow1×Ruth 1:15
For I will return them1×Jeremiah 16:15
given1×Proverbs 24:26
go away1×Proverbs 25:10
go home1×1 Kings 13:16
had dismissed1×2 Chronicles 25:13
had sent back1×1 Samuel 6:17
has been returned1×Genesis 42:28
has brought1×1 Samuel 25:39
has brought me back1×Ruth 1:21
has gone back1×Ruth 1:15
has paid you back1×2 Samuel 16:8
has passed1×Job 14:13
has pursued1×Jeremiah 8:6
has taken back1×Jeremiah 34:16
has turned1×Numbers 25:11
have you returned1×2 Kings 1:5
he had brought back1×Jeremiah 41:16
he had recovered1×Jeremiah 41:16
He has repaid1×2 Samuel 22:21
He has repaid me1×Psalms 18:20
he has turned away1×1 Samuel 15:11
He keeps turning1×Lamentations 3:3
He must make full restitution1×Numbers 5:7
he refreshes1×Proverbs 25:13
He restores1×Psalms 23:3
He retrieved1×Genesis 14:16
he turns1×Ezekiel 33:12
He who answers1×Proverbs 18:13
He will afflict you again1×Deuteronomy 28:60
He will again1×Micah 7:19
He will bring1×Psalms 94:23
He will bring me back1×2 Samuel 15:25
He will reward1×Psalms 54:5
He will take1×Deuteronomy 32:43
He will turn1×Joshua 24:20
He withholds1×Ezekiel 18:17
her repentant ones1×Isaiah 1:27
his return1×Job 15:22
I bring him back1×2 Samuel 12:23
I must repay1×Psalms 69:4
I must return1×Daniel 10:20
I restore1×Joel 3:1
I return1×2 Chronicles 18:26
I returned1×Jeremiah 31:19
I should answer1×Habakkuk 2:1
I should reply1×1 Chronicles 21:12
I was restored1×Genesis 41:13
I will bring [them] up1×Psalms 68:22
I will bring them back1×Zechariah 10:10
I will go back1×Numbers 22:34
I will keep on1×Genesis 30:31
I will make1×Isaiah 38:8
I will once again1×Jeremiah 12:15
I will repay1×Proverbs 24:29
I will restore you1×Jeremiah 15:19
I will retrieve [them]1×Psalms 68:22
I will surely return1×Genesis 18:10
I will take1×Deuteronomy 32:41
I will take back1×Hosea 2:9
If anyone returns1×Proverbs 17:13
If you had repented1×Proverbs 1:23
if you return1×2 Chronicles 30:9
is turned away1×Ezra 10:14
It must return1×1 Samuel 5:11
it turned1×Joshua 19:12
it was restored1×Exodus 4:7
It will be rebuilt1×Daniel 9:25
keeps1×Judges 5:29
leading back1×Ruth 1:7
led you astray1×Isaiah 47:10
let him return1×Isaiah 55:7
let me return1×Exodus 4:18
let them return1×Psalms 85:8
let us go back1×1 Samuel 9:5
like men returning1×Micah 2:8
may be restored1×1 Kings 13:6
may flow back1×Exodus 14:26
may turn1×Jonah 3:9
may turn back1×Judges 7:3
might revert1×1 Kings 12:26
Nebuzaradan1×Jeremiah 40:5
no one to revive1×Lamentations 1:16
of restoring1×2 Samuel 19:43
of us returned1×Nehemiah 4:15
of you is to return1×Leviticus 25:10
of you shall return1×Leviticus 25:13
once more1×Jeremiah 6:9
one will turn1×Jeremiah 36:7
or go1×Zechariah 7:14
or turn1×Nehemiah 9:35
or turn back1×Jeremiah 4:28
paid1×2 Chronicles 27:5
Pay back1×Psalms 79:12
Pharaoh restored1×Genesis 40:21
pull it back1×1 Kings 13:4
Put1×Numbers 17:10
reappears1×Leviticus 14:43
receded1×Genesis 8:3
recoils1×Psalms 7:16
recover1×Ezekiel 7:13
recovered1×2 Kings 16:6
Refute me1×Job 33:5
render1×Psalms 94:2
reopened1×Genesis 26:18
repaid1×Judges 9:56
repented1×Jeremiah 34:15
reported1×2 Chronicles 34:16
reported back1×Ezekiel 9:11
Rescue1×Psalms 35:17
restore her1×Genesis 20:7
Restore me1×Jeremiah 31:18
Restorer1×Isaiah 58:12
restrain1×Job 9:13
Return [the sword]1×Ezekiel 21:30
return me1×Jeremiah 38:26
Return to your rest1×Psalms 116:7
returning to her husband1×2 Samuel 17:3
reviving1×Psalms 19:7
revoke1×Psalms 132:11
send me back1×Jeremiah 37:20
Send them back1×Isaiah 42:22
sent1×Esther 4:15
Shall I then take your son back1×Genesis 24:5
shall return1×Leviticus 27:24
shall we again1×Ezra 9:14
she did not return1×Genesis 8:12
she returned1×Judges 11:39
she would return1×Jeremiah 3:7
should come back1×Esther 9:25
should turn1×Ezekiel 33:11
should we send back1×1 Samuel 6:4
So1×2 Kings 1:13
So [Elisha] turned back1×1 Kings 19:21
So [Hirah] returned1×Genesis 38:22
So He brought him back1×2 Chronicles 33:13
So he returned [home]1×2 Samuel 3:16
So he went back1×2 Kings 4:31
So he will return1×Daniel 11:30
So he withdrew1×2 Chronicles 32:21
So I answered1×Nehemiah 2:20
So repent1×Ezekiel 18:32
So Sennacherib again1×2 Kings 19:9
so that I can answer1×Proverbs 27:11
so that I may return1×Genesis 28:21
so they returned1×2 Samuel 17:20
So they went back1×2 Kings 9:36
so we may return1×Lamentations 5:21
So you will again1×Malachi 3:18
something else1×Ecclesiastes 9:11
started back1×Joshua 2:23
subsides1×Genesis 27:44
take it back1×Judges 11:35
take me back1×Judges 11:9
take Your seat1×Psalms 7:7
that had returned1×Nehemiah 8:17
that has recovered1×Ezekiel 38:8
that he turn1×Ezekiel 18:23
that I may return1×Jeremiah 31:18
that I will restore1×Zechariah 9:12
that was put back1×Genesis 43:12
that was returned1×Genesis 43:18
that you may1×Proverbs 22:21
The king of the North will return1×Daniel 11:28
The man then brought me back1×Ezekiel 44:1
the restitution1×Numbers 5:8
Then [the man] brought me back1×Ezekiel 47:1
Then [your children] will return1×Jeremiah 31:16
Then come back1×1 Samuel 23:23
Then he will surely repay1×Genesis 50:15
Then he will turn1×Daniel 11:18
Then he will turn back1×Daniel 11:30
Then he would return1×1 Samuel 27:9
Then I headed back1×Nehemiah 2:15
then it will revert1×Ezekiel 46:17
Then Moses would return1×Exodus 33:11
Then she returned1×2 Samuel 11:4
Then she will return1×Isaiah 23:17
Then they turned back1×Genesis 14:7
Then they would return1×Genesis 29:3
then turned1×Joshua 19:27
then turned back1×Joshua 19:29
then withdraw1×2 Samuel 11:15
then you can return it1×Deuteronomy 22:2
Then you may return1×Joshua 1:15
Therefore turn back1×1 Samuel 29:7
they again1×Nehemiah 9:28
they answered1×2 Chronicles 10:16
They brought back1×Numbers 13:26
they changed their minds1×Jeremiah 34:11
they had turned1×Jonah 3:10
they have nothing to say1×Isaiah 41:28
They have returned1×Jeremiah 11:10
they must retire1×Numbers 8:25
they paid you with1×Ezekiel 27:15
they render1×Numbers 18:9
they turned1×2 Chronicles 15:4
they turned around1×Joshua 8:21
They will turn1×Isaiah 19:22
they will turn back1×Psalms 6:10
this reply1×Esther 4:13
those who come1×Ezekiel 35:7
to bring [the people] back1×2 Chronicles 24:19
to bring back1×Job 33:30
to bring it back1×Proverbs 26:15
to divert1×Psalms 106:23
to execute1×Isaiah 66:15
to get back1×Jonah 1:13
to go1×2 Kings 20:10
to keep themselves1×Lamentations 1:19
to keep themselves alive1×Lamentations 1:11
to leave1×Ruth 1:6
to repay1×Leviticus 25:28
to retreat1×Proverbs 30:30
to return it1×Ezekiel 21:5
to return them1×Nehemiah 9:17
to revoke1×Esther 8:5
to say1×2 Samuel 3:11
to stop1×2 Samuel 2:26
to those who repel1×Isaiah 28:6
to turn away1×Joshua 22:23
to turn back1×Nehemiah 9:29
to ward off1×Lamentations 2:14
to whom restitution can be made for1×Numbers 5:8
to You again1×Nehemiah 9:28
turn you down1×1 Kings 2:17
turned to go1×Jeremiah 40:5
turns away1×Proverbs 15:1
turns his back1×Jeremiah 23:14
until he turned1×2 Kings 24:1
wanes1×Genesis 27:45
we could have come and gone1×Genesis 43:10
We even brought back1×Genesis 44:8
we return1×Exodus 24:14
We will restore [it]1×Nehemiah 5:12
we will return1×Ruth 1:10
were brought back1×Exodus 10:8
were restored1×1 Samuel 7:14
were returning home1×1 Samuel 18:6
When [Samson] returned1×Judges 14:8
when he returned1×2 Samuel 8:13
When he turned back1×Genesis 42:24
When I arrived1×Ezekiel 47:7
When I bring them back1×Ezekiel 39:27
When I return1×Judges 8:9
when I will restore1×Jeremiah 30:3
When they returned1×2 Kings 2:18
who answer1×Proverbs 26:16
who brought him back1×2 Samuel 3:26
who confounds1×Isaiah 44:25
who had returned1×Ezra 6:21
who has returned1×Ruth 4:3
who must turn1×Jeremiah 15:19
who returned1×Ruth 2:6
who turn1×Isaiah 59:20
will also return1×Ezekiel 16:55
will be brought back1×Jeremiah 27:16
will be restored1×2 Kings 5:10
will be used again1×Micah 1:7
will come back1×1 Kings 2:33
will go back1×Jeremiah 37:7
will have it roll back1×Proverbs 26:27
Will He not repay1×Proverbs 24:12
will I answer1×Job 31:14
will reply1×Job 35:4
will retreat1×Psalms 56:9
will return him1×Genesis 42:37
will return you1×Deuteronomy 28:68
will you return1×Nehemiah 2:6
withdrew1×2 Kings 15:20
Would You now return me1×Job 10:9
yet again1×Isaiah 21:12
yet he has paid me back1×1 Samuel 25:21
Yet I call1×Lamentations 3:21
you {shall} return1×Genesis 3:19
you are sending back1×1 Samuel 6:8
You have made us retreat1×Psalms 44:10
you have turned1×Numbers 14:43
you must return it1×Exodus 23:4
You restored1×Psalms 85:1
You turned from1×Psalms 85:3
You will bring me down1×Job 30:23
You will pay them back1×Lamentations 3:64
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 3:19שֽׁוּבְךָ֙toyou returnVerb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singularGenesis 3:19תָּשֽׁוּב׃toyou {shall} returnVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularGenesis 8:3וַיָּשֻׁ֧בוּtorecededConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralGenesis 8:3וָשׁ֑וֹבto. . .Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteGenesis 8:7וָשׁ֔וֹבto. . .Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Infinitive absoluteGenesis 8:9וַתָּ֤שָׁבtoand she returnedConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singularGenesis 8:12שׁוּב־toshe did not returnVerb - Qal - Infinitive constructGenesis 14:7וַ֠יָּשֻׁבוּtoThen they turned backConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralGenesis 14:16וַיָּ֕שֶׁבtoHe retrievedConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 14:16הֵשִׁ֔יבto. . .Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 3:19
Aligned rows1,057
Books represented38
Genesis68Exodus28Leviticus18Numbers31Deuteronomy35Joshua36Judges29Ruth151 Samuel452 Samuel531 Kings622 Kings551 Chronicles52 Chronicles61Ezra4Nehemiah20Esther8Job39Psalms72Proverbs23Ecclesiastes10Song Of Solomon4Isaiah51Jeremiah111Lamentations14Ezekiel62Daniel16Hosea22Joel6Amos15Obadiah1Jonah5Micah4Nahum1Habakkuk1Zephaniah2Zechariah18Malachi7
Source forms
וַיָּ֖שָׁב12xway·yā·šāḇExodus 4:20, Judges 19:7, 1 Samuel 27:9, 2 Samuel 19:39
לְהָשִׁ֥יב12xlə·hā·šîḇ2 Samuel 3:11, 2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 19:10, 2 Samuel 19:11
וַיָּ֤שָׁב11xway·yā·šāḇGenesis 22:19, Genesis 37:29, Genesis 42:24, Numbers 16:50
וַיָּ֣שָׁב11xway·yā·šāḇNumbers 23:6, Numbers 24:25, Joshua 22:32, Judges 7:3
וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ10xway·yā·šu·ḇūGenesis 21:32, Genesis 44:13, Numbers 13:25, Joshua 6:14
שָׁ֥ב10xšāḇGenesis 18:33, 1 Samuel 26:25, 2 Samuel 20:22, 1 Kings 13:33
שָׁ֣ב10xšāḇ1 Samuel 24:1, 1 Kings 12:20, 1 Kings 13:10, 2 Kings 23:26
אָשִׁ֥יב9x’ā·šîḇ2 Samuel 24:13, 1 Chronicles 21:12, Psalms 81:14, Psalms 116:12
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular83xGenesis 22:19, Genesis 26:18, Genesis 31:55, Genesis 33:16
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular54xLeviticus 13:16, Leviticus 14:43, Leviticus 25:41, Leviticus 27:24
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural51xGenesis 8:3, Genesis 14:7, Genesis 21:32, Genesis 32:6
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular32xExodus 33:11, Leviticus 14:39, Leviticus 25:27, Leviticus 25:28
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular32xGenesis 18:33, Judges 3:19, 1 Samuel 15:11, 1 Samuel 24:1
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct31xNumbers 5:8, 2 Samuel 3:11, 2 Samuel 8:3, 2 Samuel 19:10
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural30xGenesis 43:2, Genesis 43:13, Genesis 44:25, Deuteronomy 5:30
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular25xGenesis 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 15:16Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
יָשׁ֣וּבוּyā·šū·ḇūto 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, againThe form helps readers follow the promised sequence: Abram's descendants will return after the named delay.Read verse guideJonah 1:13Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
לְהָשִׁ֛יבlə·hā·šîḇto 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, againThe 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 guideJonah 3:8Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
וְיָשֻׁ֗בוּwə·yā·šu·ḇūto 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, againThe form matters because it carries the decree's call for the people to turn from evil and violence.Read verse guidePsalms 23:3Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
יְשׁוֹבֵ֑בyə·šō·w·ḇêḇto 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, againThe form clarifies restoration as the LORD's shepherding action in the clause.Read verse guidePsalms 51:12Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
הָשִׁ֣יבָהhā·šî·ḇāhto 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, againThe form makes restoration an act requested from God.Read verse guidePsalms 51:13Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
יָשֽׁוּבוּ׃yā·šū·ḇūto 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, againThe form helps readers hear the hoped-for movement from restored testimony to sinners returning to God.Read verse guideEvidence 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 groups4Aligned forms455
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense308×
Imperfect2Kgs 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 10:22150×
Sequential imperfect1Kgs 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 31:664×
Perfect1Kgs 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 20:2263×
Infinitive absolute1Kgs 9:6 · 1Kgs 22:28 · 2Chr 18:27 · 2Sam 15:8 · Gen 18:10 · Jer 42:10 · Josh 2:16 · Josh 23:128×
Participle active1Sam 7:3 · Eccl 1:6 · Eccl 1:7 · Esth 2:14 · Jer 8:6 · Jer 30:18 · Prov 26:117×
Jussive2Sam 19:38 · Dan 9:16 · Judg 7:3 · Ps 74:21 · 1Kgs 22:17 · Ps 85:9 · 1Kgs 17:217×
Infinitive constructEzek 13:22 · Gen 8:12 · Gen 27:45 · Job 14:13 · Job 15:22 · Num 14:36×
CohortativeGen 30:31 · Num 22:342×
Participle passiveMic 2:81×
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action140×
Imperfect1Kgs 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 44:1971×
Perfect1Sam 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 2:827×
Participle activeEzek 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 19:815×
Sequential imperfect1Sam 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 5:1115×
Infinitive absolute1Sam 6:3 · Deut 22:1 · Deut 24:13 · Exod 23:4 · Job 9:185×
Jussive1Kgs 2:20 · 2Chr 6:42 · Ps 132:10 · 1Kgs 2:16 · 1Sam 6:35×
Infinitive construct2Sam 14:13 · Lev 25:282×
Polel5×
ImperfectPs 23:3 · Ps 60:32×
Participle passiveEzek 38:81×
Participle activeIsa 58:121×
PerfectJer 8:51×
Hophalcausative passive — the subject is caused to perform the action2×
PerfectGen 42:281×
Participle passiveJer 27:161×
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.