Hebrew Word of the Week

Teshuvah

Today we are starting a new weekly feature—the Hebrew word of the week. I want to help you build your Bible vocabulary by weekly walking you through Hebrew words, their meanings, and letters. For paid subscribers, you will get access to the video teaching about each word, where I explain them in depth. 

At the end of last week, we started the Hebrew month Elul. Elul is the last month of the civil year before the new Hebrew year begins on September 16th on Rosh Hashana. Elul is known as the month where "The King is in the field." It is a special time when kings would leave their thrones and go into the field to meet with the people. Our King is ready to meet with us in a very special way this month.

Elul also begins the 40 days of Teshuvah, a set apart time of the year to get before the Lord and let Him search our hearts. Teshuvah is the word for repentance, which will be our first word study. 

Teshuvah is Strong's H8666. It means to return or to turn back. It is a picture of turning back to face the Lord, where we have chosen to go our own way. We all have chosen our own way, which is why we needed Jesus to come and be the sacrifice for our sins to make a way back to the Father. When we are first saved, we repent for our sins, but repentance does not stop with a confession of saving faith. Repentance should be a way of life where we continue to turn and face the Lord so our souls can be renewed. 

The root of the word teshuvah is Strong's H7725, shuwb. It means to turn back and to restore. The path to the restoration of our souls is through repentance. 

When this word is broken down into Hebrew letters, it gives a picture of the cross and getting back to the Garden. We cannot return to Eden without the cross and repentance.  

Enjoy this video teaching on the word teshuvah, and I look forward to sharing more word studies with you in the coming weeks! 

Shalom 

Brandee