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I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion--One who relents from sending disaster.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jonah/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/32_Jon_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jonah 4:2 - Jonah's Anger at the LORD's Compassion" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/jonah/4-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/jonah/4-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/jonah/">Jonah</a> > <a href="/jonah/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/jonah/4-1.htm" title="Jonah 4:1">◄</a> Jonah 4:2 <a href="/jonah/4-3.htm" title="Jonah 4:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/jonah/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/jonah/4.htm">New International Version</a> He prayed to the LORD, &#8220Isn&#8217t this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. <a href="/nlt/jonah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> So he complained to the LORD about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, LORD? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. <a href="/esv/jonah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster. <a href="/bsb/jonah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/jonah/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil. <a href="/nkjv/jonah/4.htm">New King James Version</a> So he prayed to the LORD, and said, “Ah, LORD, was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, One who relents from doing harm. <a href="/nasb_/jonah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then he prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was this not what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore in anticipation of this I fled to Tarshish, since I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in mercy, and One who relents of disaster. <a href="/nasb/jonah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> He prayed to the LORD and said, &#8220Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. <a href="/nasb77/jonah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he prayed to the LORD and said, “Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore, in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that Thou art a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity. <a href="/lsb/jonah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And he prayed to Yahweh and said, “Ah! O Yahweh, was not this my word to myself while I was still in my own land? Therefore I went ahead to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning evil. <a href="/amp/jonah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still in my country? That is why I ran to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and great in lovingkindness, and [when sinners turn to You] You revoke the [sentence of] disaster [against them]. <a href="/csb/jonah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> He prayed to the LORD, “Please, LORD, isn’t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That’s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and one who relents from sending disaster. <a href="/hcsb/jonah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> He prayed to the LORD: &#8220Please, LORD, isn&#8217t this what I said while I was still in my own country? That&#8217s why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place. I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from sending disaster. <a href="/asv/jonah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he prayed unto Jehovah, and said, I pray thee, O Jehovah, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and repentest thee of the evil. <a href="/cev/jonah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So he prayed: Our LORD, I knew from the very beginning that you wouldn't destroy Nineveh. That's why I left my own country and headed for Spain. You are a kind and merciful God, and you are very patient. You always show love, and you don't like to punish anyone. <a href="/erv/jonah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and full of compassion, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, and repentest thee of the evil. <a href="/gwt/jonah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So he prayed to the LORD, "LORD, isn't this what I said would happen when I was still in my own country? That's why I tried to run to Tarshish in the first place. I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, patient, and always ready to forgive and to reconsider your threats of destruction. <a href="/gnt/jonah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> So he prayed, "LORD, didn't I say before I left home that this is just what you would do? That's why I did my best to run away to Spain! I knew that you are a loving and merciful God, always patient, always kind, and always ready to change your mind and not punish. <a href="/isv/jonah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> So he prayed to the LORD, "LORD, isn't this what I said while I was still in my home country? That's why I fled previously to Tarshish, because I knew you're a compassionate God, slow to anger, overflowing with gracious love, and reluctant to send trouble. <a href="/msb/jonah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/jonah/4.htm">NET Bible</a> He prayed to the LORD and said, "Oh, LORD, this is just what I thought would happen when I was in my own country. This is what I tried to prevent by attempting to escape to Tarshish!--because I knew that you are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy, and one who relents concerning threatened judgment. <a href="/nheb/jonah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> He prayed to the LORD, and said, "Please, LORD, wasn't this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm. <a href="/wbt/jonah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he prayed to the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before to Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest of the evil. <a href="/web/jonah/4.htm">World English Bible</a> He prayed to Yahweh, and said, “Please, Yahweh, wasn’t this what I said when I was still in my own country? Therefore I hurried to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and you relent of doing harm. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/jonah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and he prays to YHWH, and he says, “Ah, now, O YHWH, is this not my word while I was in my own land—therefore I was beforehand [going] to flee to Tarshish—that I have known that You [are] a God, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, and relenting of evil? <a href="/ylt/jonah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he prayeth unto Jehovah, and he saith, 'I pray Thee, O Jehovah, is not this my word while I was in mine own land -- therefore I was beforehand to flee to Tarshish -- that I have known that Thou art a God, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in kindness, and repenting of evil? <a href="/slt/jonah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will pray to Jehovah and say, Ah, now, O Jehovah, was not this my word while I was upon my land? For this I anticipated to flee to Tarshish, for I knew that thou art merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and of much kindness, and lamenting for evil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/jonah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he prayed to the Lord, and said: I beseech thee, O Lord, is not this what I said, when I was yet in my own country? therefore I went before to flee into Tharsis: for I know that thou art a gracious and merciful God, patient, and of much compassion, and easy to forgive evil. <a href="/cpdv/jonah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he prayed to the Lord, and he said, “I beg you, Lord, was this not my word, when I was still in my own land? Because of this, I knew beforehand to flee into Tarshish. For I know that you are a lenient and merciful God, patient and great in compassion, and forgiving despite ill will. <a href="/nabre/jonah/4.htm">New American Bible</a> He prayed to the LORD, “O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? This is why I fled at first toward Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, abounding in kindness, repenting of punishment. <a href="/nrsvce/jonah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He prayed to the LORD and said, “O LORD! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/jonah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he prayed to the LORD and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I fled before to Tarshish; for I knew that thou art a gracious and merciful God, patient and of great kindness, and thou art ready to turn away calamity. <a href="/hpbt/jonah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he prayed before LORD JEHOVAH and said: Oh, LORD JEHOVAH, was not this my word when I was in my land, and because of this I arose early, I myself fled to Tarshish, for I had known that you, God, are compassionate and hovering and your Spirit is patient, and your kindness abundant, and you change evil!<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/jonah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he prayed unto the LORD, and said: 'I pray Thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in mine own country? Therefore I fled beforehand unto Tarshish; for I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and compassionate, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy, and repentest Thee of the evil. <a href="/sep/jonah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he prayed to the Lord, and said, O Lord, were not these my words when I was yet in my land? therefore I made haste to flee to Tharsis; because I knew that thou are merciful and compassionate, long-suffering, and abundant in kindness, and repentest of evil. <a href="/parallel/jonah/4-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfTdDqEKJXA?start=398" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/jonah/4.htm">Jonah's Anger at the LORD's Compassion</a> 1Jonah, however, was greatly displeased, and he became angry. 2<a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: way·yiṯ·pal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">So he prayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/577.htm" title="577: ’ān·nāh (Interjection) -- Ah, now! I (we) beseech you! Or mannah; apparent contracted from 'ahabah and na'; oh now!">“O</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">is this</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: ḏə·ḇā·rî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">what I said</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">while</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hĕ·yō·w·ṯî (V-Qal-Inf:: 1cs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">I was</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">still in</a> <a href="/hebrew/127.htm" title="127: ’aḏ·mā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Ground, land. From 'adam; soil.">my own country?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">This is why</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6923.htm" title="6923: qid·dam·tî (V-Piel-Perf-1cs) -- To come or be in front, meet. A primitive root; to project, i.e. Precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet.">I was so quick</a> <a href="/hebrew/1272.htm" title="1272: liḇ·rō·aḥ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To go through, flee. A primitive root; to bolt, i.e. Figuratively, to flee suddenly.">to flee</a> <a href="/hebrew/8659.htm" title="8659: tar·šî·šāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A son of Javan, his desc. and their land, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite, also a Pers. noble. ">toward Tarshish.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">I knew</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You are</a> <a href="/hebrew/2587.htm" title="2587: ḥan·nūn (Adj-ms) -- Gracious. From chanan; gracious.">a gracious</a> <a href="/hebrew/7349.htm" title="7349: wə·ra·ḥūm (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Compassionate. From racham; compassionate.">and compassionate</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl- (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/750.htm" title="750: ’e·reḵ (Adj-msc) -- Long. From 'arak; long.">slow</a> <a href="/hebrew/639.htm" title="639: ’ap·pa·yim (N-md) -- A nostril, nose, face, anger. From 'anaph; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also ire.">to anger,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7227.htm" title="7227: wə·raḇ- (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- Much, many, great. By contracted from rabab; abundant.">abounding</a> <a href="/hebrew/2617.htm" title="2617: ḥe·seḏ (N-ms) -- Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty. From chacad; kindness; by implication piety: rarely reproof, or Beauty.">in loving devotion—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5162.htm" title="5162: wə·ni·ḥām (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sigh, i.e. Breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e. to pity, console or rue; or to avenge.">One who relents</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: hā·rā·‘āh (Art:: Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">sending disaster.</a> 3And now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a> Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.” <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a> 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. <a href="/psalms/86-15.htm">Psalm 86:15</a> But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness. <a href="/psalms/103-8.htm">Psalm 103:8</a> The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a> They refused to listen and failed to remember the wonders You performed among them. They stiffened their necks and appointed a leader to return them to their bondage in Egypt. But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in loving devotion, and You did not forsake them. <a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18</a> ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’ <a href="/psalms/145-8.htm">Psalm 145:8</a> The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion. <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Micah 7:18-19</a> Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? / He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea. <a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Nahum 1:3</a> The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a> The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. <a href="/romans/2-4.htm">Romans 2:4</a> Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance? <a href="/ephesians/2-4.htm">Ephesians 2:4-5</a> But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, / made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved! <a href="/james/5-11.htm">James 5:11</a> See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. <a href="/matthew/12-39.htm">Matthew 12:39-41</a> Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. / For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. / 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. <a href="/luke/6-36.htm">Luke 6:36</a> Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he prayed to the LORD, and said, I pray you, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before to Tarshish: for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repent you of the evil.he prayed.<a href="/1_kings/19-4.htm">1 Kings 19:4</a> But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.<a href="/jeremiah/20-7.htm">Jeremiah 20:7</a> O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.I fled.<a href="/jonah/1-3.htm">Jonah 1:3</a> But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.<a href="/luke/10-29.htm">Luke 10:29</a> But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?thou art.<a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6,7</a> And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, … <a href="/numbers/14-18.htm">Numbers 14:18,19</a> The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation… <a href="/psalms/78-38.htm">Psalm 78:38</a> But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.and of.<a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">Jonah 3:10</a> 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.<a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Exodus 32:14</a> And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.<a href="/psalms/90-13.htm">Psalm 90:13</a> Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joel/2-23.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/jonah/3-9.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/isaiah/41-26.htm">Beforehand</a> <a href="/jonah/1-8.htm">Country</a> <a href="/jonah/1-10.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/jonah/1-3.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/amos/5-15.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/jonah/4-1.htm">Great</a> <a href="/joel/2-8.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/daniel/6-19.htm">Hurried</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/jonah/1-8.htm">Please</a> <a href="/jonah/2-1.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/jonah/3-9.htm">Relent</a> <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Slow</a> <a href="/jonah/1-3.htm">Tarshish</a> <a href="/jeremiah/48-27.htm">Wasn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Abundant</a> <a href="/micah/5-15.htm">Anger</a> <a href="/matthew/24-25.htm">Beforehand</a> <a href="/micah/1-6.htm">Country</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-5.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/nahum/2-8.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-13.htm">Gracious</a> <a href="/jonah/4-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Harm</a> <a href="/matthew/28-8.htm">Hurried</a> <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Kindness</a> <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Loving</a> <a href="/matthew/5-7.htm">Merciful</a> <a href="/jonah/4-3.htm">Please</a> <a href="/matthew/26-39.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/zechariah/8-14.htm">Relent</a> <a href="/nahum/1-3.htm">Slow</a> <a href="/genesis/10-4.htm">Tarshish</a> <a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Wasn't</a><div class="vheading2">Jonah 4</div>1. <a href="/jonah/4-1.htm">Jonah repining at God's mercy,</a> 4. <a href="/jonah/4-4.htm">is reproved by the type of a withering vine.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jonah/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/jonah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/jonah/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>So he prayed to the LORD, saying, Jonah's prayer reflects a candid conversation with God, highlighting the personal relationship between the prophet and the divine. Prayer in the Hebrew tradition is often a dialogue, not just a monologue, indicating Jonah's familiarity and comfort in addressing God directly. This moment of prayer is significant as it reveals Jonah's inner turmoil and his struggle with God's mercy.“O LORD, is this not what I said while I was still in my own country? Jonah's reference to his own country underscores his initial reluctance to leave Israel and go to Nineveh. It reflects a common prophetic struggle where the prophet's personal desires conflict with God's command. This phrase also hints at Jonah's foreknowledge of God's character and his expectation of God's mercy towards Nineveh, which he found troubling.This is why I was so quick to flee toward Tarshish. Tarshish, possibly located in modern-day Spain, represents the farthest point in the known world from Nineveh, indicating Jonah's extreme desire to escape God's mission. This flight symbolizes human attempts to evade divine will, a theme prevalent in biblical narratives. Jonah's actions contrast with the obedience expected of a prophet, highlighting his internal conflict.I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, Jonah's acknowledgment of God's grace and compassion is rooted in the Hebrew understanding of God's nature, as seen in <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6-7</a>. This recognition of divine attributes is central to the Old Testament portrayal of God, emphasizing His willingness to forgive and show mercy, even to those outside Israel.slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion— The phrase "slow to anger" is a testament to God's patience and long-suffering nature, often mentioned in the Psalms and prophetic literature. "Abounding in loving devotion" (hesed) is a key aspect of God's covenantal love, which is steadfast and enduring. This reflects the theological foundation of God's relationship with humanity, emphasizing His faithfulness and commitment.One who relents from sending disaster. God's willingness to relent from sending disaster upon repentance is a recurring theme in the prophetic books, such as in <a href="/jeremiah/18-7.htm">Jeremiah 18:7-8</a>. This aspect of God's character underscores the conditional nature of prophecy, where divine judgment can be averted through genuine repentance. Jonah's frustration with this attribute reveals his struggle with the concept of divine justice and mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jonah.htm">Jonah</a> A prophet of God who initially fled from God's command to go to Nineveh, demonstrating human reluctance and disobedience. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The compassionate and merciful God who desires repentance and offers grace, central to Jonah's complaint. 3. <a href="/topical/n/nineveh.htm">Nineveh</a> The great city to which Jonah was sent to proclaim God's impending judgment, representing a place of repentance and divine mercy. 4. <a href="/topical/t/tarshish.htm">Tarshish</a> The distant location Jonah attempted to flee to, symbolizing his desire to escape God's will. 5. <a href="/topical/j/jonah's_prayer.htm">Jonah's Prayer</a> A moment of candid dialogue with God, revealing Jonah's understanding of God's character and his own struggle with it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_character.htm">Understanding God's Character</a> Recognize that God is gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger. This understanding should shape our view of His actions and our response to His commands. <a href="/topical/h/human_reluctance_vs._divine_will.htm">Human Reluctance vs. Divine Will</a> Jonah's reluctance to follow God's command highlights the tension between human desires and divine purposes. We must learn to align our will with God's. <a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_god's_mercy.htm">The Universality of God's Mercy</a> God's willingness to forgive Nineveh demonstrates that His mercy extends beyond Israel to all nations. We should embrace and share this inclusive message of grace. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_honest_dialogue.htm">Prayer as Honest Dialogue</a> Jonah's prayer shows that we can bring our frustrations and misunderstandings to God. Honest communication with God is vital for spiritual growth. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_transformation.htm">Repentance and Transformation</a> The account of Nineveh's repentance serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of turning back to God. We should seek and encourage repentance in our lives and communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jonah_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jonah 4</a> <a href="/q/why_didn't_jonah_know_left_from_right.htm">Why was Jonah unaware of his right and left?</a> <a href="/q/why_choose_tarshish,_not_nineveh.htm">Why did Jonah choose Tarshish over Nineveh?</a> <a href="/q/what_distinguishes_mercy_from_grace.htm">What distinguishes mercy from grace?</a> <a href="/q/what_occurs_when_jonah_defies_god.htm">What happens when Jonah disobeys God's command to Nineveh?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jonah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - He prayed. He carried his complaint to God, and was prepared to submit it to him, even while he questioned the wisdom of his clemency. I pray thee (anna); Vulgate, obsecro. A particle of entreaty, "Ah! I pray thee." Was not this my saying? Was not this what I said to myself, viz. that God would spare Nineveh if it showed signs of repentance? My country. Palestine, where the original message reached him. I fled before; literally, I anticipated to fly; Septuagint, προέφθασα τοῦ φυγεῖν, "I made haste to flee;" Vulgate, praeoccupavi ut fugerem. I hastened to fly before I should be reduced to seeing my mission rendered nugatory. For I knew. Joel knew the character of God, and how that he threatened in order to arouse repentance, and that he might be able to spare (see <a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Exodus 32:14</a>; <a href="/exodus/34-6.htm">Exodus 34:6, 7</a>). The description of God's mercy agrees with that in <a href="/joel/2-13.htm">Joel 2:13</a> and <a href="/nehemiah/9-17.htm">Nehemiah 9:17</a>. <a href="/commentaries/jonah/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So he prayed וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל (way·yiṯ·pal·lêl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> To judge, to intercede, pray to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to the LORD, יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH saying, וַיֹּאמַ֗ר (way·yō·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “O אָנָּ֤ה (’ān·nāh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_577.htm">Strong's 577: </a> Ah, now! I (we) beseech you! LORD, יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> YHWH is this זֶ֣ה (zeh) Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that not הֲלוֹא־ (hă·lō·w-) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no what I said דְבָרִ֗י (ḏə·ḇā·rî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause while עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while I was הֱיוֹתִי֙ (hĕ·yō·w·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be still in עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against my own country? אַדְמָתִ֔י (’aḏ·mā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_127.htm">Strong's 127: </a> Ground, land This is why עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against I was so quick קִדַּ֖מְתִּי (qid·dam·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6923.htm">Strong's 6923: </a> To project, precede, to anticipate, hasten, meet to flee לִבְרֹ֣חַ (liḇ·rō·aḥ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1272.htm">Strong's 1272: </a> To bolt, to flee suddenly toward Tarshish. תַּרְשִׁ֑ישָׁה (tar·šî·šāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8659.htm">Strong's 8659: </a> Tarshish -- a son of Javan, also a port on the Mediterranean, also a Benjamite I knew יָדַ֗עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction You [are] אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you a gracious חַנּ֣וּן (ḥan·nūn) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2587.htm">Strong's 2587: </a> Gracious and compassionate וְרַח֔וּם (wə·ra·ḥūm) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7349.htm">Strong's 7349: </a> Compassionate God, אֵֽל־ (’êl-) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty slow אֶ֤רֶךְ (’e·reḵ) Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_750.htm">Strong's 750: </a> Long to anger, אַפַּ֙יִם֙ (’ap·pa·yim) Noun - md <a href="/hebrew/strongs_639.htm">Strong's 639: </a> The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire abounding וְרַב־ (wə·raḇ-) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7227.htm">Strong's 7227: </a> Much, many, great in loving devotion? חֶ֔סֶד (ḥe·seḏ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2617.htm">Strong's 2617: </a> Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty One who relents וְנִחָ֖ם (wə·ni·ḥām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5162.htm">Strong's 5162: </a> To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge from עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against sending disaster. הָרָעָֽה׃ (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/jonah/4-2.htm">Jonah 4:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/jonah/4-2.htm">OT Prophets: Jonah 4:2 He prayed to Yahweh and said Please (Jon. Jh) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jonah/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jonah 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jonah 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jonah/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jonah 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jonah 4:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>