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# repentance

noun (repentance — uncountable)

«repentance» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Repentance is being truly sorry for something wrong you have done and wanting to change and not do it again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#m1)
2. (church, Bible) Repentance is turning away from sin and back to God; Christians believe God forgives those who truly repent. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#m2)

### In the lessons

In religious education, Bible stories and sermons repentance is a key idea: John the Baptist called people to repent, and the prodigal son came home in repentance. In stories about ethics it tells the reader a character has changed inside, not just said «sorry». Phrases: «show repentance», «a sign of repentance», «repentance and forgiveness».

### Examples

- The boy's tears showed real repentance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x1)
- The judge noted that the man showed no repentance for the crime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x2)
- Christians believe repentance means turning back to God. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x3)
- John the Baptist preached repentance by the river Jordan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x4)
- The prodigal son came home full of repentance. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x5)
- Saying sorry is easy; repentance means you also change. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x6)
- Lent is a time of prayer and repentance for many Christians. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/#x7)

### Note

Uncountable: no «a repentance» or «repentances». The verb is «repent», the adjective «repentant» (and «unrepentant» = not sorry at all). Repentance is deeper than an apology: it includes the wish to change. Spelling: -ance, not -ence.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means a change of mind or regret, and God says He will not have it, meaning He will not relent from the coming punishment.

**Interpretation.** Usually repentance (teshuvah, "return") is central to Judaism, but here the sages read it as a warning that punishment will come when people refuse to return.

### Examples

- Repentance be hid from Mine eyes! (Prophets HOS.13.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/repentance/#x1)

### Note

Uncountable: no «a repentance» or «repentances». The verb is «repent», the adjective «repentant» (and «unrepentant» = not sorry at all). Repentance is deeper than an apology: it includes the wish to change. Spelling: -ance, not -ence.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «repentance» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/repentance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«repentance» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/repentance.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «repentance» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/repentance/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«repentance» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/repentance.html) on Mova free.