Jonah 3:10

Translations

Modern

When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.

Traditional

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.

Literal

And God saw their deeds, that they turned back from their evil way, and God relented from the disaster that He had said to do to them, and He did not do it.

Latin

Et vidit Deus opera eorum, quia conversi sunt de via sua mala: et misertus est Deus super malitiam quam locutus fuerat ut faceret eis, et non fecit.

Original

Hebrew

English

When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.

Notes

Jonah 3:10

He relented: If the people of Nineveh had not repented, God would have destroyed them (Jonah 3:4). But God was ready to show mercy when they repented (see Jonah 4:2, 11). In God's view, this change did not reverse his original plan, because he always considered the possibility of mercy. This change does not affect God's ability to know the future.

Historically, the church has believed that God fully knows the future (see Psalm 139:4; Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 2:28–29; Matthew 24:36). Nothing in this account contradicts that belief.

Jonah 3:1–4:11

God commands Jonah again to preach to Nineveh. This time, Jonah obeys. Ironically, the city repents, just as Jonah feared, and he becomes angry with God.

Theme notes and profiles

Assyria God as Holy Warrior God’s Change of Mind God’s Justice

Events

Prophecies of Jonahc. 825 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 18:8
But if that nation I warned turns from its evil, then I will relent of the disaster I had planned to bring.
1 Kings 21:27–29
When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.
Exodus 32:14
So the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people.
Luke 11:32
The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here.
Luke 15:20
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
Amos 7:6
So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen either,” said the Lord GOD.
Amos 7:3
So the LORD relented from this plan. “It will not happen,” He said.
Jeremiah 31:18–20
I have surely heard Ephraim’s moaning: ‘You disciplined me severely, like an untrained calf. Restore me, that I may return, for You are the LORD my God.
Joel 2:13
So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.
Job 33:27–28
Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
Jonah 4:2
So he prayed to the LORD, saying, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion—One who relents from sending disaster.

Jonah 3:10

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