In the Bible, God repeats the important things for emphasis. Sometimes He repeats them Himself, and sometimes His people repeat back to Him what He has already told them. Either way, when the same words keep showing up throughout Scripture, I figure they’re worth paying attention to.
One phrase in particular keeps showing up. “Slow to anger”. God says it about Himself first. Then Moses says it. David says it. The prophets say it, including Jonah, who isn’t particularly happy about it.
While God’s patience appears in many other verses, these are the nine places that specifically describe GOD as “slow to anger”.
| Scripture | Verse | Who Says It? | Context | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exodus 34:6 | “Compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth” | The LORD | God describes His own character to Moses. This is the foundation the later passages echo. | |
| Numbers 14:18 | “The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in mercy” | Moses | After Israel refuses to enter the Promised Land, Moses appeals to what God has already said about Himself. | |
| Nehemiah 9:17 | “A God of forgiveness, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in mercy” | The Levites | Israel remembers its rebellion and praises God for not abandoning His people. | |
| Psalm 86:15 | “A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth” | David | David appeals to God’s character while asking Him for mercy and help. | |
| Psalm 103:8 | “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy” | David | David praises God’s compassion, forgiveness and mercy toward His people. | |
| Psalm 145:8 | “The LORD is gracious and compassionate; slow to anger and great in mercy” | David | David again praises God’s character and goodness. | |
| Joel 2:13 | “Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in mercy” | Joel | Joel urges God’s people to return to Him because this is who God is. | |
| Jonah 4:2 | “A gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in mercy” | Jonah | Jonah is angry because God spared Nineveh. He basically complains that he knew God was merciful and might forgive them if they repented. | |
| Nahum 1:3 | “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power” | Nahum | The counterbalance: God is slow to anger, but His patience does not mean evil will never face judgment. |