The term "returnest" is an archaic form of the verb "return," often found in older translations of the Bible. It signifies the act of coming back or going back to a previous place or state. In the context of Scripture, "returnest" can carry both physical and spiritual connotations, reflecting themes of repentance, restoration, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Biblical Usage and Themes

1. Repentance and Restoration:
The concept of returning is frequently associated with repentance in the Bible. The call to return to God is a central theme in the prophetic books, where the prophets urge the Israelites to turn back from their sinful ways and seek the Lord. For instance, in the book of Joel, the prophet implores, "Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (Joel 2:13). This plea highlights God's readiness to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent.

2. Covenant and Promise:
The idea of returning is also linked to the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. In the narrative of the Israelites, returning to the Promised Land after exile is a significant theme. The return from Babylonian captivity is seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people. Jeremiah prophesies, "I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah... and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it" (Jeremiah 30:3).

3. Spiritual Renewal:
On a personal level, returning to God signifies a spiritual renewal and a recommitment to living according to His will. The Psalms often reflect this yearning for spiritual return and renewal. David's prayer in Psalm 51 is a profound example: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:10). This plea for renewal underscores the transformative power of returning to God with a contrite heart.

4. Eschatological Hope:
The theme of return is also present in eschatological contexts, where it points to the ultimate return of Christ and the restoration of all things. The New Testament speaks of Jesus' second coming as a time when He will return to establish His kingdom fully. In Acts 1:11, the angels declare to the disciples, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven" . This promise of Christ's return provides hope and assurance to believers, encouraging them to live in anticipation of His coming.

Conclusion

The concept of "returnest" in the Bible is rich with theological significance, encompassing themes of repentance, restoration, covenant faithfulness, spiritual renewal, and eschatological hope. It serves as a reminder of God's enduring mercy and the promise of redemption for those who turn back to Him.

First Part of the Book.
... was man bound after he had sinned, through GOD'S bidding, Who said to him: "In the
sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread, till thou returnest unto the ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/first part of the book.htm

A Child Again
... life is earnest. And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou art, to dust returnest
Was not spoken of the soul.". He procured a Bible and studied it diligently. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/byrum/how john became a man/chapter x a child again.htm

The Conspiracy
... His face softened and he took the hand between his own. "Alas! this day thou
returnest into the Hak-heb," he said. She nodded. "Would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxi the conspiracy.htm

M. Longfellow. Psalm of Life.
... 2 Life is real! life is earnest! And the grave is not its goal; Dust thou
art, to dust returnest, Was not spoken of the soul. 3 ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/310 8 & 7s m.htm

Psalm LXXVII.
... For what is a better thing than He? Dost thou not see that, when thou
returnest to thyself, thou returnest to a worse thing? "for ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvii.htm

Psalm XL.
... He becomes "new" to thee, when thou returnest to Him; because it was by departing
from Him, that thou hadst become old; and hadst said, "I have waxed old ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xl.htm

Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
... As thou returnest home, or when thou art entered into thy house, meditate
a little while upon those things which thou hast heard. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/things to be meditated on.htm

About the Dragon and the Young Man.
... But if thou art rather carelessly disposed towards Him, and again returnest to thy
former deeds, and lettest go that beauty and that beaming countenance which ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the dragon and the.htm

John Chapter x. 22-42
... In short, because thou thyself art not that which thou hast, shouldst thou lose
what thou hast, thou returnest to the state of no longer having it: and ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlviii john chapter x.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 1, "In the Beginning was the ...
... For we do not give Him aught whereby He can be increased, Who when thou fallest
away, is Entire, and when thou returnest, abideth Entire, ready to make Himself ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvii on the words.htm

Returnest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Returnest (1 Occurrence). Lamentations 3:64 Thou returnest
to them the deed, O Jehovah, According to the work of their hands. (YLT). ...
/r/returnest.htm - 6k

Returneth (27 Occurrences)

/r/returneth.htm - 14k

Returner (1 Occurrence)

/r/returner.htm - 6k

Deed (71 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Lamentations 3:64 Thou returnest to them the deed, O Jehovah,
According to the work of their hands. (YLT). Joel 3:4 ...
/d/deed.htm - 30k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus