Jonah 3:9
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The phrase 'Who can tell?' or 'Who knows?' appears in other contexts where people hope for divine mercy without presuming upon it (2 Samuel 12:22, Joel 2:14, Zephaniah 2:3). This reflects proper fear of God—acknowledging His justice while hoping in His mercy. Ancient Near Eastern religion typically involved bargaining with gods through sacrifices and rituals, assuming divine favor could be purchased. The king's humble uncertainty contrasts with pagan manipulation of deity. He appeals to God's character, not human merit. This anticipates New Testament grace theology—we're saved by God's mercy, not human worthiness (Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the king's uncertainty ('Who can tell?') model appropriate humility before God's sovereignty?
- What does 'fierce anger' reveal about the seriousness of sin and the justice of divine wrath?
- How should believers balance confidence in God's promises with humble recognition of unworthiness?
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Analysis & Commentary
Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? The king's decree concludes with humble uncertainty and desperate hope. The Hebrew mi-yodea yashuv venicham ha'Elohim veshav meḥaron appo velo noveid (מִי־יוֹדֵעַ יָשׁוּב וְנִחַם הָאֱלֹהִים וְשָׁב מֵחֲרוֹן אַפּוֹ וְלֹא נֹאבֵד) expresses theology that balances God's justice with hope in His mercy.
"Who can tell" (mi-yodea) literally means "Who knows?"—acknowledging human inability to presume upon divine response. The king doesn't claim certainty that repentance guarantees deliverance, only hope that it might. This contrasts with presumptuous faith that treats God's grace as automatic or manipulable. True faith hopes in God's mercy while acknowledging His sovereign freedom.
"If God will turn and repent" (yashuv venicham ha'Elohim) uses the same verb shuv (turn) applied to Nineveh's repentance (3:8), plus nacham (נָחַם, relent/have compassion). The king hopes God will 'turn' from announced judgment as they 'turn' from evil—responsive rather than arbitrary change. God's 'repenting' doesn't indicate fickleness but consistent character responding to changing human conditions (Jeremiah 18:7-8).
"Turn away from his fierce anger" (veshav meḥaron appo) acknowledges the severity of deserved judgment. The phrase "fierce anger" (ḥaron aph, חֲרוֹן אַף) literally means "burning of nose/nostril"—vivid Hebrew idiom for intense wrath. The king rightly recognizes that Nineveh deserves destruction and that only divine mercy can avert it. This theology parallels Joel 2:13-14: "rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God... who knoweth if he will return and repent?"