Jonah 3:9 kjv — Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?

King James Version

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

— Jonah 3:9, King James Version

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Jonah 3:9 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Jonah 3 — Context

6

For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

7

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:

8

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.

9

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

10

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.

Jonah 3:9 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Jonah 3:9 say?
Jonah 3:9 in the King James Version reads: “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?”
Where is Jonah 3:9 in the Bible?
Jonah 3:9 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Jonah, chapter 3, verse 9.
Who wrote Jonah?
Jonah is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Jonah son of Amittai). It was written c. 785–760 BC.
What is the book of Jonah about?
Jonah, sent to preach repentance to Israel's enemies in Nineveh, runs the opposite direction — and ends up in the belly of a great fish. The story confronts every smug heart with the question: do you want God's mercy only for yourself, or for them too?
What are the major themes of Jonah?
Jonah explores themes including Mercy, Repentance, Nations, Reluctant Prophet, Sovereignty. These themes shape the meaning and context of Jonah 3:9.
What translation should I read Jonah 3:9 in?
Jonah 3:9 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Jonah 3:9?
Jonah 3:9 reads (KJV): “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
GodsGoodBook logo

GodsGoodBook

Making God's Word accessible to everyone

Experience the Bible like never before with multiple translations, powerful search tools, and features to make God's Word personal to you. Completely free, forever.

Features

15+ Bible Translations
Powerful Search Tools
Highlight & Annotate
Share Verses
100% Free Forever
© 2025 GodsGoodBookVersion 1.8.2