Jonah 4 2

Jonah 4:2 kjv

And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.

Jonah 4:2 nkjv

So he prayed to the LORD, and said, "Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm.

Jonah 4:2 niv

He prayed to the LORD, "Isn't this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

Jonah 4:2 esv

And he prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.

Jonah 4:2 nlt

So he complained to the LORD about it: "Didn't I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people.

Jonah 4 verses

Jonah 4 2 meaning

Jonah's prayer in Jonah 4:2 reveals his deep frustration and anger over God's decision to show mercy to Nineveh. He expresses that his previous flight to Tarshish was precisely because he knew God's inherently compassionate character—that He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, abundant in steadfast love, and willing to relent from calamity. Jonah foresaw God's potential forgiveness of Nineveh and strongly objected to it, believing such grace should not extend to Israel's enemies.

Jonah 4 2 Context

Jonah 4:2 follows directly after God spares Nineveh from destruction because they repented. The prophet Jonah, contrary to expectations of rejoicing, is deeply angered by God's mercy. This verse serves as his bitter complaint and self-justification, explaining why he initially disobeyed and fled from God's command to preach to Nineveh. His initial act of flight was not primarily out of fear for his own life, but out of a profound theological and nationalistic objection to the prospect of God's grace extending to Israel's archenemies, the Assyrians. He articulates his full understanding of God's character, highlighting that he fully expected God to relent once Nineveh repented, which was precisely what he wished to prevent.

Jonah 4 2 Word analysis

• And he prayed unto the LORD: Jonah's "prayer" here is a protest, not supplication or thanksgiving. It's accusatory, reflecting his indignation rather than humble appeal. This is in stark contrast to his prayer from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2), which was one of repentance and praise.
• and said, I pray thee, O LORD: The Hebrew term for "I pray thee" (annah אֲנִֽי) often expresses a strong plea or entreaty, but here, in Jonah's mouth, it carries a tone of exasperation and self-vindication. He addresses YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, challenging His actions.
• was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country?: Halo'-zeh devari (הֲל֤וֹא־זֶה֙ דְּבָרִ֔י) - a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer. Jonah asserts his foreknowledge, emphasizing that his earlier disobedience was based on an accurate understanding of God's nature, even if that nature frustrated him. "In my country" refers to Israel, prior to his mission to Nineveh.
• Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: This statement connects his disobedience (fleeing before to Tarshish, mentioned in Jonah 1:3) directly to his theological understanding. His flight was premeditated and based on his conviction of God's character, indicating a profound and deliberate rebellion against God's missionary purpose for him.
• for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful: Ki yadati ki attah El hannun v'rachum (כִּ֣י יָדַ֤עְתִּי כִּֽי אַתָּה֩ אֵֽל־חַנּ֨וּן וְרַח֜וּם) - Jonah explicitly states his knowledge of God's nature.
  • gracious (חַנּוּן - channun): Refers to God's benevolent disposition, showing favor to the undeserving out of His own kindness.
  • merciful (רַחוּם - rachum): Denotes God's deep compassion, pity, and tender affection, often likened to the emotional bond of a parent to a child (from reḥem, 'womb').
• slow to anger: (אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם - erek appayim): Literally "long of nostrils" or "long of nose," an idiom meaning long-suffering, patient, delaying punishment, giving opportunity for repentance.
• and of great kindness: (רַב־חֶסֶד - rav chesed): Signifies abundant or steadfast love, covenantal loyalty, unwavering faithfulness. This hesed is God's enduring commitment, even to those who betray Him.
• and repentest thee of the evil: (וְנִחָם עַל־הָרָעָה - v'nicham al-hara'ah): "Repentest thee" or "relents" means God changes His mind regarding the disaster or judgment He announced. The "evil" (hara'ah) refers to the threatened calamity, not moral wickedness. Jonah knew God's readiness to withdraw His decreed punishment upon true repentance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil": This entire phrase is a direct quotation or close paraphrase of the pivotal Old Testament confession of God's character, first given to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7, and subsequently echoed throughout Scripture (Neh 9:17; Psa 86:15; Joel 2:13). It highlights God's self-revelation as abundant in grace and mercy, demonstrating that Jonah had perfect theological understanding. His anger stems not from ignorance of God, but from an unwillingness to accept the breadth of God's love beyond his own nationalistic and prejudicial boundaries.

Jonah 4 2 Bonus section

Jonah's recitation of God's attributes, particularly "gracious," "merciful," "slow to anger," and "of great kindness," forms part of a deep tradition in Jewish liturgy, known as the "Thirteen Attributes of Mercy" (though Jonah only lists a subset here). That Jonah invokes these very attributes, meant to evoke Israel's trust and call them to repentance, to justify his own anger and disobedience against God's mercy to Gentiles, presents a profound irony. This illustrates that possessing theological knowledge about God is insufficient; it must be coupled with a heart transformed to align with God's compassionate will for all humanity. The entire book of Jonah is a polemic against the kind of exclusive nationalism that attempts to confine God's boundless love to a select group, powerfully asserting that God's covenant loyalty extends universally, offering salvation to any who repent, regardless of their nationality or past sins.

Jonah 4 2 Commentary

Jonah's "prayer" is one of the most remarkable and self-incriminating passages in Scripture, showcasing a prophet who is more concerned with his nation's political standing and personal vindication than with the spiritual welfare of thousands. He accurately recites the fundamental attributes of God—His grace, mercy, patience, and steadfast love—but does so with profound resentment. He understands God's character intellectually, as revealed in Israel's foundational confession (Exod 34:6-7), yet vehemently rejects its practical implications, especially when God extends this boundless compassion to Israel's most brutal enemies. This paradox reveals the core conflict of the book: the prophet's narrow, nationalistic theology clashing with God's universal, inclusive love. Jonah wanted God to be just for his sake, and gracious only to his people, but not to act according to His full character by pardoning Nineveh.