Jonah 3 9

Jonah 3:9 kjv

Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

Jonah 3:9 nkjv

Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?

Jonah 3:9 niv

Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."

Jonah 3:9 esv

Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish."

Jonah 3:9 nlt

Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us."

Jonah 3 verses

Jonah 3 9 Meaning

Jonah 3:9 articulates the king of Nineveh's decree, expressing a desperate yet hopeful plea to God. The rhetorical question "Who knows?" signifies that while mercy is not guaranteed, there is a possibility that God might change His mind and withdraw His fierce anger due to their sincere repentance, thereby averting the prophesied destruction and allowing them to live. It encapsulates the deep human recognition of impending judgment and the plea for divine grace.

Jonah 3 9 Context

Jonah chapter 3 describes the Ninevites' overwhelming repentance in response to Jonah's concise warning: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" (Jonah 3:4). This verse (3:9) is part of the urgent decree issued by the King of Nineveh after he and his nobles covered themselves in sackcloth and ashes. The king mandates a total city-wide fast, including animals, demanding a radical turning from violence and evil ways, motivated by the slim but desperate hope that God might relent from His threatened judgment. Historically, Nineveh was the capital of the powerful and famously cruel Assyrian Empire. The remarkable, genuine repentance of such a formidable enemy underscores God's universal compassion and His willingness to show mercy even to those considered His enemies, if they turn to Him in humility. This stands as a striking contrast to Israel's often unrepentant heart throughout their history.

Jonah 3 9 Word analysis

• "Who knows?" (Hebrew: Mi yodea?): This is a rhetorical question, expressing uncertainty and humility. It doesn't imply disbelief in God's power, but rather acknowledges the Ninevites' lack of claim on His mercy, offering a plea rooted in desperate hope. It indicates that God's mercy is a sovereign act, not an obligation, yet it leaves room for potential divine response to their turning.
• "God" (Hebrew: ha'Elohim): This is the generic but definite term for God, implying the one true God whom Jonah proclaimed. Its use by the Ninevites highlights their acknowledgment of His universal sovereignty and power over life and death, reflecting a deep, practical understanding that this God is the source of judgment and potential salvation.
• "may yet turn and relent" (Hebrew: yashuv v'nicham):
  • Yashuv (turn): This verb signifies a turning or returning, often used for both human repentance and God's turning from judgment. Here, it is God who turns—from His punitive stance to a posture of mercy.
  • Nicham (relent/have compassion/change His mind): This is a crucial theological term. It does not mean God is fallible or changes His ultimate character or plans. Rather, it signifies His dynamic interaction with humanity; He responds to human action (especially repentance) by altering a declared course of action that was contingent on continued sin. It reveals His compassionate nature and His desire for reconciliation rather than destruction.
• "turn away from His fierce anger" (Hebrew: v'shav mecharon appo): The repetition of "turn" (shav) emphasizes the complete reversal desired from God. "Fierce anger" (charon appo) denotes a burning, intense wrath often leading to devastating judgment. This phrase vividly portrays the severe consequence the Ninevites believe they are facing, and the complete transformation they hope for from God.
• "so that we will not perish" (Hebrew: v'lo noved): To "perish" means to be lost, destroyed, or die. This is the immediate and existential consequence they seek to avoid. It highlights the life-or-death stakes of their situation, emphasizing that their very existence hinges upon God's gracious intervention following their sincere, if desperate, act of repentance.

Jonah 3 9 Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Who knows? God may yet turn and relent": This phrase captures the blend of desperation, humility, and raw hope that characterizes genuine repentance. It acknowledges that God is sovereign and not bound by their actions, yet holds onto the possibility of His mercy. It represents a faith that, while imperfect in its certainty, is real in its plea. This hopeful uncertainty is crucial as it positions mercy as a divine gift, not a human right.
• "and turn away from His fierce anger so that we will not perish": This clearly articulates the desired outcome: the removal of God's wrath and the preservation of life. It connects God's anger directly to the threat of perishing, making the consequence vividly real. The parallelism of God "turning and relenting" and "turning away from fierce anger" reinforces the single act of divine grace they are imploring—a full reversal of judgment for their salvation. The phrase demonstrates a clear understanding of the impending doom and the direct link between divine anger and destruction.

Jonah 3 9 Bonus section

The theological significance of God "relenting" in this verse, and throughout Scripture, lies in the dynamic interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It challenges a rigid determinism by showing God's just and compassionate responsiveness to His creation's choices. God's ultimate character of holiness and love remains unchanging, but His actions towards humanity are responsive, meaning declared judgments are often conditional warnings rather than absolute, irreversible pronouncements. The Ninevites, pagan and feared, are here models of genuine, radical repentance, highlighting God's concern for all humanity, not just Israel. This universalistic theme, often uncomfortable for Jonah, is central to the book's message: God's salvation extends far beyond the expected boundaries, to "every tongue, tribe, people, and nation" (Rev 7:9). Their "turning from their evil way and from the violence that was in their hands" (Jonah 3:8) underlines that God seeks moral transformation, not just religious ceremony, validating the New Testament emphasis on inward heart change.

Jonah 3 9 Commentary

Jonah 3:9 is the pivot of Nineveh's story, revealing the desperate heart of repentance. It's not a confident claim of God's obligation, but a profound expression of hope in His character. The phrase "Who knows?" exemplifies the king's humility and the precarious position of those facing divine judgment; they possessed no inherent right to God's mercy, yet clung to the sliver of possibility. God's act of "relenting" (נחם, nacham) doesn't suggest a change in His eternal decrees or character, but rather His readiness to alter His declared course of action in response to genuine human turning. The Ninevites' thorough, city-wide repentance—a stark contrast to Israel's frequent spiritual indifference—demonstrates that true change involves turning from wicked ways, not just outward ritual. This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereign right to show compassion on whom He chooses, prioritizing redemption and preservation of life over predetermined destruction when confronted with a contrite spirit, regardless of who it is.

• Practical examples:
  • A person caught in persistent sin feels an urge to turn to God, uncertain of His forgiveness but hopes in His known mercy (Lk 15:18-19).
  • A nation facing calamity may humble itself and seek divine intervention, recalling God's historical willingness to avert judgment based on repentance (2 Chron 7:14).