Jona 3:9

9 Wie weet, God mocht Zich wenden, en berouw hebben; en Hij mocht Zich wenden van de hittigheid Zijns toorns, dat wij niet vergingen!

Jona 3:9 Meaning and Commentary

Jonah 3:9

Who can tell
The Septuagint and Arabic versions prefix to this the word "saying", and take them to be, not the words of the king, but of the Ninevites; though very wrongly: or "who is he that knows"; which some connect with the next word, "he will return": that is, that knows the ways of repentance, he will return, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; or that knows that he has sinned, as Aben Ezra: or that knows the transgressions he is guilty of, will return, as Jarchi; and so the Targum,

``whosoever knows that sins are in his hands, he will return, or let him return, from them:''

but they are the words of the king, with respect to God, encouraging his subjects to the above things, from the consideration of the probability, or at least possibility, of God's being merciful to them: [if] God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce wrath,
that we perish not?
he speaks here not as nor as absolutely doubting, but as between hope and fear: for, by the light of nature, it is not certain that God will pardon men upon repentance; it is only probable or possible he may; neither the light of nature nor the law of Moses connect repentance and remission of sins, it is the Gospel does this; and it is only by the Gospel revelation that any can be assured that God will forgive, even penitent sinners; however, this Heathen prince encourages his subjects not to despair of, but to hope for, the mercy of God, though they could not be sure of it; and it may be observed, that he does not put their hope of not perishing, or of salvation, upon their fasting, praying, and reformation, but upon the will, mercy, and goodness of God.

Jona 3:9 In-Context

7 En hij liet uitroepen, en men sprak te Nineve, uit bevel des konings en zijner groten, zeggende: Laat mens noch beest, rund noch schaap, iets smaken, laat ze niet weiden, noch water drinken.

8 Maar mens en beest zullen met zakken bedekt zijn, en zullen sterk tot God roepen; en zij zullen zich bekeren, een iegelijk van zijn bozen weg, en van het geweld, dat in hun handen is.

9 Wie weet, God mocht Zich wenden, en berouw hebben; en Hij mocht Zich wenden van de hittigheid Zijns toorns, dat wij niet vergingen!

10 En God zag hun werken, dat zij zich bekeerden van hun bozen weg; en het berouwde God over het kwaad, dat Hij gesproken had hun te zullen doen, en Hij deed het niet.