Jonah 3:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Who can tell {H3045} if God {H430} will turn {H7725} and repent {H5162}, and turn away {H7725} from his fierce {H2740} anger {H639}, that we perish {H6} not?

Complete Jewish Bible

Who knows? Maybe God will change his mind, relent and turn from his fierce anger; and then we won't perish."

Berean Standard Bible

Who knows? God may turn and relent; He may turn from His fierce anger, so that we will not perish.”

American Standard Version

Who knoweth whether God will not turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 3:9 encapsulates the desperate, yet hopeful, plea of the Ninevite king, reflecting a profound national response to Jonah's prophecy of impending destruction. It articulates a glimmer of faith and humility, clinging to the possibility of divine mercy and a change in God's declared judgment, should their radical repentance prove sincere and effective. This verse highlights the Ninevites' recognition of God's sovereignty and their earnest desire to avert calamity through a turning from their wicked ways.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jonah 3:9 is a pivotal part of the Ninevite king's decree, issued in response to Jonah's concise, five-word Hebrew prophecy: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown" ([Jonah 3:4](/jonah/3-4 "Jonah 3:4 - Jonah's Prophecy to Nineveh")). Immediately following Jonah's preaching, the people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believed God and proclaimed a fast, donning sackcloth. The king, upon hearing the news, likewise humbled himself, descended from his throne, and issued this decree. This verse, therefore, represents the theological core of the Ninevites' corporate repentance, articulating the *hope* that undergirds their drastic actions of fasting, sackcloth, and turning from violence, as commanded in [Jonah 3:8](/jonah/3-8 "Jonah 3:8 - The King's Command for Repentance"). It sets the stage for God's subsequent relenting in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nineveh was the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, a formidable and notoriously cruel power that terrorized the ancient Near East. Their military might and brutal tactics were well-known, and their empire was a significant threat to Israel and Judah. The Assyrians were infamous for their violence, as alluded to in the king's decree to "turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands" ([Jonah 3:8](/jonah/3-8 "Jonah 3:8 - Turning from Violence")). For such a powerful and arrogant nation to respond with immediate and thorough repentance to a foreign prophet's warning was extraordinary and highly unusual, underscoring the profound impact of God's word and the king's remarkable humility. The practice of fasting and wearing sackcloth was a common ancient Near Eastern expression of mourning, humility, and repentance, signifying a deep-seated distress and a plea for divine intervention.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Jonah. Foremost among them is the theme of **God's Universal Sovereignty and Mercy**, demonstrating that God's concern extends beyond Israel to all nations, even their enemies, and that His mercy is available to all who genuinely repent. It powerfully illustrates the **Power of Repentance**, showing that a true turning from sin, even by a whole nation, can avert divine judgment. The king's hopeful question also highlights the theme of **Divine Responsiveness**, indicating that while God is unchanging in His character, He is dynamic in His interaction with humanity, capable of altering His declared course of action in response to human moral and spiritual transformation. This aligns with broader biblical principles seen in passages like [Jeremiah 18:7-8](/jeremiah/18-7-8 "Jeremiah 18:7-8 - God's Conditional Declarations"). Finally, it underscores the theme of **Prophetic Warning as Opportunity**, where God's pronouncements of judgment are not always absolute decrees of inescapable doom, but rather urgent calls to repentance, offering a window for salvation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **tell (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This word is a primitive root meaning "to know," often implying an experiential or intimate knowledge, or to "ascertain by seeing." In the context of "Who can tell," it functions as a rhetorical question expressing uncertainty or a lack of definitive knowledge, yet holding out hope. It signifies that the Ninevites did not *know* for certain if God would relent, but they acted on the *possibility* of His mercy, demonstrating a faith that dared to hope in the unknown.
* **repent (Hebrew, _nâcham'_):** This root properly means "to sigh," or "breathe strongly," and by implication, "to be sorry," "pity," "console," or "rue." When applied to God, as here, it does not imply regret over a mistake or a change in His perfect character, but rather a change in His emotional disposition or His declared course of action in response to new circumstances, specifically human repentance. It conveys God's compassion and willingness to "relent" from an announced judgment, indicating His desire for reconciliation rather than destruction.
* **fierce anger (Hebrew, _chârôwn'_; _ʼaph'_):** _Chârôwn'_ (fierce) refers to a "burning of anger," signifying "sore displeasure, fierceness, fury, wrath." _ʼaph'_ (anger) literally means "nose" or "nostril," and by extension, the face, but frequently refers to "ire" or "wrath" due to the rapid breathing associated with intense emotion. Together, "fierce anger" denotes the full, intense, and destructive wrath of God, which the Ninevites desperately hoped to avert. Their plea acknowledges the severity of God's righteous indignation against their sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who can tell [if] God will turn and repent":** This opening phrase, a rhetorical question, conveys the Ninevite king's profound humility and desperate hope. It acknowledges that God's ways are sovereign and beyond human prediction, yet it holds open the possibility that God, in His mercy, might change His mind concerning the announced judgment. The king is not demanding God's mercy but appealing to His character, expressing a willingness to trust in a slim chance of divine compassion.
* **"and turn away from his fierce anger":** This clause specifies the desired outcome of God's "turning and repenting." The king understands that Nineveh faces the full, burning wrath of God due to their wickedness. The turning away of God's "fierce anger" is the direct consequence of His relenting, signifying the cessation of the impending destruction. It highlights the gravity of their sin and the severity of the judgment they seek to escape.
* **"that we perish not?":** This final clause states the ultimate motivation and desired result of their national repentance and the king's plea. The Ninevites' primary concern is survival, to avoid the complete destruction ("perish") that Jonah had prophesied. It underscores the life-or-death stakes of their situation and the profound impact of God's judgment. Their repentance is not merely ritualistic but driven by a primal desire for preservation in the face of divine wrath.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question** ("Who can tell...?"), which serves to emphasize the king's uncertainty and the sovereign freedom of God, rather than seeking a literal answer. It expresses a humble plea based on hope, not presumption. There is also a clear use of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrases "God will turn and repent" and "turn away from his fierce anger." While God does not "change His mind" in the human sense of regret or error, these phrases describe His compassionate response to human repentance in terms understandable to us, indicating a change in His *action* or *disposition* towards the Ninevites. The phrase "fierce anger" also utilizes **Hyperbole** to convey the intensity of God's wrath, emphasizing the dire consequences of their sin and the magnitude of the judgment they face.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 3:9 offers a profound theological insight into the character of God and the nature of repentance. It reveals a God who, though just and righteous in His judgment against sin, is also abundantly merciful and responsive to genuine human contrition. The Ninevites' desperate hope, rooted in an understanding (however nascent) of God's potential to relent, aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as one who desires reconciliation over destruction. This verse underscores that God's warnings are often opportunities for repentance, not inescapable destinies, demonstrating His patience and long-suffering even towards those who are His enemies. It affirms the transformative power of a collective turning to God, highlighting that no sin is too great, and no people too far gone, for God's mercy to reach them if they humble themselves and turn from their evil ways.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassionate Character")
* [Joel 2:12-14](/joel/2-12-14 "Joel 2:12-14 - Call to Repentance and God's Relenting")
* [Jeremiah 18:7-8](/jeremiah/18-7-8 "Jeremiah 18:7-8 - God's Conditional Declarations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 3:9 serves as a powerful reminder that the door to God's mercy is always open for those who genuinely repent. The Ninevites, a people notorious for their wickedness, found grace because they responded to God's warning with immediate and radical humility. This should inspire us to never despair, regardless of the depth of our past sins or the seeming hopelessness of our circumstances. Just as the Ninevites turned from their "evil way and violence," true repentance involves not just a change of mind or emotion, but a tangible turning away from sinful practices and a turning towards God. This verse challenges us to consider whether our own repentance is merely superficial or if it leads to concrete changes in our behavior and priorities. It also encourages us to live with a hopeful expectation of God's compassion, recognizing that His desire is always for our restoration and not our destruction, provided we humble ourselves before Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the Ninevite king's rhetorical question, "Who can tell [if] God will turn and repent," reveal about the nature of true humility before God?**
* **How does the Ninevites' radical and immediate response to Jonah's preaching challenge our own tendencies to delay or offer partial repentance?**
* **In what areas of your life, or in the life of your community, do you need to "turn away from... fierce anger" (or any other sin) in order to experience God's relenting mercy?**

### FAQ

**Did God truly "repent" or "change His mind" in Jonah 3:9, implying He made a mistake?**

Answer: No, the biblical concept of God "repenting" (Hebrew: _nâcham'_) does not imply that God makes mistakes or changes His perfect character. Instead, when applied to God, it signifies a change in His *declared course of action* in response to human repentance. God is immutable in His nature, but dynamic in His relationship with humanity. His warnings of judgment, like the one delivered by Jonah to Nineveh, are often conditional, serving as opportunities for people to turn from sin. When the Ninevites genuinely repented, God, in His compassion, "relented" from the disaster He had threatened, demonstrating His mercy and faithfulness to His character, which desires salvation over destruction. This is consistent with other passages where God "relents" from judgment, such as [Jeremiah 26:13](/jeremiah/26-13 "Jeremiah 26:13 - Repentance Averts Disaster").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah 3:9, with its desperate hope for God to "turn and repent" from His fierce anger, finds its ultimate fulfillment and most profound expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Ninevites, through their repentance, averted temporal judgment, but humanity's deepest need was for deliverance from the eternal "fierce anger" of God against sin. Jesus, the true and greater Jonah, came not merely to warn of judgment, but to bear that judgment Himself. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), absorbing the divine wrath that we deserved, thereby making it possible for God to "turn away" His anger from all who believe. Through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, God's justice was satisfied, and His mercy was perfectly extended. Now, instead of a hopeful "who can tell," we have the certain promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" ([Romans 10:13](/romans/10-13 "Romans 10:13 - Salvation for All Who Call")). The Ninevites' turning from their evil way foreshadows the call to repentance and faith in Christ, through whom we receive not just a temporary reprieve, but eternal life and reconciliation with God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 12:22

And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?

Joel 2:13

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Joel 2:14

Who knoweth [if] he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; [even] a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God?

Psalms 106:45

And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies.

Jonah 1:6

So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

Luke 15:18

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Luke 15:20

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.