King James Version
Jonah 3:9 in the King James Version says “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?”
Jonah 3:9 · KJV
And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: published: Heb. said nobles: Heb. great men
But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
KJV Study — Public Domain
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
“Who can tell”
H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
“and turn away”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
“and repent”
H5162properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
“if God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“and turn away”
H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
“anger”
H639properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
“that we perish”
H6properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
This verse is found in the book of Jonah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Jonah 3:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Jonah 3:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge