Joel 2:13

“And rend your heart, and not your garments, etc.] Which latter used to be done in times of distress, either private or public, and as a token of grief and sorrow, (<013734>Genesis 37:34 <170401>Esther 4:1); nor was it criminal or unlawful, the apostles themselves used it, (<441414>Acts 14:14); nor is it absolutely forbidden here, only comparatively, that they should rend their hearts rather than their garments; or not their garments only, but their hearts also; in like sense as the words in (<280606>Hosea 6:6); are to be taken as rending garments was only an external token of sorrow and might be done hypocritically. Where no true repentance was, the Lord calls for that, rather than the…”

“Let there be the inward sorrow of heart, and not the mere outward manifestation of it by "rending the garment" (Jos 7:6). the evil--the calamity which He had threatened against the impenitent.”

“And rend your hearts and not your garments - that is, “not your garments only” (see the note at Hosea 6:6). The rending of the clothes was an expression of extraordinary uncontrollable emotion, chiefly of grief, of terror, or of horror. At least, in Holy Scripture it is not mentioned as a part of ordinary mourning, but only upon some sudden overpowering grief, whether public or private . It was not used on occasion of death, unless there were something very grievous about its circumstances. At times it was used as an outward expression, one of deep grief, as when the leper was commanded to keep his clothes rent Leviticus 13:45, or when David, to express his abhorrence at the murder of Abner,…”

“And repenteth him - He turneth from executing the fierceness of his wrath. Joel 2:14”

“2:13 One means of showing grief in the ancient world was to tear one’s clothing (Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; 2 Kgs 19:1). • tear your hearts: In Hebrew, the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will. God’s people were to go beyond external demonstrations of repentance to repent inwardly—to change their orientation, priorities, and attitudes. This could only happen if they would return to the Lord. • for he is merciful and compassionate . . . and filled with unfailing love: The people’s only hope was in the merciful character of the Lord (see also Exod 34:6-7; Num 14:18; Neh 9:17; Pss 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Jon 4:2). God’s desire is not to punish, but to forgive and restore his people.”

“rend: Here the word "rend" is used only once, but with two significations; in the former sentence it is used figuratively; in the latter literally - the heart not being rent in the same sense in which garments are rent. Kg2 22:19; Psa 34:18, Psa 51:17; Isa 57:15, Isa 66:2; Eze 9:4; Mat 5:3, Mat 5:4 your garments: Gen 37:29, Gen 37:34; Sa2 1:11; Kg1 21:27; Kg2 5:7, Kg2 6:30, Kg2 22:11; Job 1:20; Isa 58:5; Mat 6:16-18; Ti1 4:8 for: Exo 34:6, Exo 34:7; Num 14:18; Psa 86:5, Psa 86:15, Psa 145:7-9; Jon 4:2; Mic 7:18; Rom 2:4; Rom 5:20, Rom 5:21; Eph 2:4 slow: Neh 9:17; Psa 103:8; Nah 1:3; Jam 1:19, Jam 1:20 and repenteth: Psa 106:45; Jer 18:7, Jer 18:8; Amo 7:2-6; Jon 4:2 Joel 2:14”