Who knows whether…?: This question reflects the freedom God has to act in his own way when someone repents. He is not forced to set aside his anger. People in the Bible who speak this way are expressing both hope and uncertainty as they leave the answer in God’s hands (see Jonah 3.9; 2 Sam 12.22). Good News Translation begins with “Perhaps” and changes this verse from one long question into two statements that are easier to understand (similarly Revised English Bible, New American Bible, Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch).
He will turn and repent: Turn renders the same Hebrew verb translated “return” in verses 12-13. Here it is a synonym with repent, the verb used at the end of the previous verse. The people’s change of heart is matched by God’s change of heart. Again, to avoid the idea of God being sorry for his own sin, Good News Translation has “will change his mind,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “He may turn and relent.” New Revised Standard Version, Revised English Bible and New Jerusalem Bible also use the verb “relent” instead of repent.
And leave a blessing behind him: Even though Yahweh has arrived with an enemy army of locusts, he will leave behind something good for his people. The Revised Standard Version rendering makes it sounds as if God will pass by while carelessly or unconsciously blessing his people. Bible en français courant is better with “and he will grant you benefits to the full.” Good News Translation makes the blessing explicit by saying “and bless you with abundant crops.” The Good News Translation model can be expanded as “and he will bless you by causing your crops to grow.”
A cereal offering and a drink offering for the LORD, your God: Revised Standard Version‘s literal rendering of these two lines and the previous one makes it appear that Yahweh is preparing offerings for himself. Rather, his blessing of crops will make it possible for the people to bring offerings of wine and grain, as they formerly did. Revised English Bible makes this clear with “and leave a blessing behind him, blessing enough for grain-offerings and drink-offerings to be presented to the LORD your God.” For cereal offering and drink offering, see the comments on 1.9. As in the previous verse, the LORD, your God emphasizes the renewed relation between God and his people. For better English style Good News Translation places this full reference to God in the first line, using a pronoun for him in the last line.
Quoted with permission from de Blois, Kees & Dorn, Louis. A Handbook on Joel. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2020. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .