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Jonah 4

BSB·11 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Jonah, howeverיוֹנָ֖הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study →, was greatlyגְדוֹלָ֑הḡə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → displeasedוַיֵּ֥רַעway·yê·ra‘ — to break, spoil, or do evilH7489 — Full Word Study →, and he became angryוַיִּ֖חַרway·yi·ḥar — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study →. 2So he prayedוַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨לway·yiṯ·pal·lêl — to pray, intercede, or judgeH6419 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֜הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, sayingוַיֹּאמַ֗רway·yō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Oאָנָּ֤ה’ān·nāh — Please; I beseech you; earnest petitionH577 — Full Word Study → LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, is thisזֶ֣הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → notהֲלוֹא־hă·lō·w- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → what I saidדְבָרִ֗יḏə·ḇā·rî — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → whileעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → I wasהֱיוֹתִי֙hĕ·yō·w·ṯî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → still inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → my own countryאַדְמָתִ֔י’aḏ·mā·ṯî — Land, soil, ground, earthH127 — Full Word Study →? This is whyעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → I was so quickקִדַּ֖מְתִּיqid·dam·tî — to meet, come before, prevent, anticipateH6923 — Full Word Study → to fleeלִבְרֹ֣חַliḇ·rō·aḥ — To flee or escape in hasteH1272 — Full Word Study → toward Tarshishתַּרְשִׁ֑ישָׁהtar·šî·šāh — Distant maritime nationH8659 — Full Word Study →. I knewיָדַ֗עְתִּיyā·ḏa‘·tî — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → thatכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → You are a graciousחַנּ֣וּןḥan·nūn — gracious, merciful, compassionateH2587 — Full Word Study → and compassionateוְרַח֔וּםwə·ra·ḥūm — Merciful, compassionate, full of pityH7349 — Full Word Study → Godאֵֽל־’êl- — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →, slowאֶ֤רֶךְ’e·reḵ — Slow to anger, patient, long-sufferingH750 — Full Word Study → to angerאַפַּ֙יִם֙’ap·pa·yim — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →, aboundingוְרַב־wə·raḇ- — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → in loving devotionחֶ֔סֶדḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study →One who relentsוְנִחָ֖םwə·ni·ḥām — to comfort, console, or show compassion; to repent or change one's mindH5162 — Full Word Study → fromעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → sending disasterהָרָעָֽה׃hā·rā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 3And nowוְעַתָּ֣הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study →, O LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, pleaseנָ֥אnā — Please, I beseech, I prayH4994 — Full Word Study → takeקַח־qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → my lifeנַפְשִׁ֖יnap̄·šî — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → from meמִמֶּ֑נִּיmim·men·nî — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֛יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it is betterט֥וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → for me to dieמוֹתִ֖יmō·w·ṯî — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study → than to liveמֵחַיָּֽי׃סmê·ḥay·yāy — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →.” 4But the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → repliedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Have you any rightהַהֵיטֵ֖בha·hê·ṭêḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study → to be angryחָ֥רָהḥā·rāh — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study →?” 5Then Jonahיוֹנָה֙yō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → leftוַיֵּצֵ֤אway·yê·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → the cityהָעִ֔ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → and sat downוַיֵּ֖שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → eastמִן־min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → of itמִקֶּ֣דֶםmiq·qe·ḏem — East; ancient times; beforeH6924 — Full Word Study →, where he madeוַיַּעַשׂ֩way·ya·‘aś — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → himself a shelterסֻכָּ֗הsuk·kāh — A temporary shelter or booth constructed from branches or woven materialH5521 — Full Word Study → and satוַיֵּ֤שֶׁבway·yê·šeḇ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in its shadeבַּצֵּ֔לbaṣ·ṣêl — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study → toעַ֚ד‘aḏ — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → seeיִרְאֶ֔הyir·’eh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → whatמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → would happenיִּהְיֶ֖הyih·yeh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → to the cityבָּעִֽיר׃bā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study →. 6So the LORDיְהוָֽה־Yah·weh- — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → Godאֱ֠לֹהִים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → appointedוַיְמַ֣ןway·man — To count, number, appoint, or ordainH4487 — Full Word Study → a vineקִיקָי֞וֹןqî·qā·yō·wn — Gourd plant; climbing vine with large leavesH7021 — Full Word Study →, and it grew upוַיַּ֣עַל׀way·ya·‘al — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → to provideלִֽהְי֥וֹתlih·yō·wṯ — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → shadeצֵל֙ṣêl — shadow; protection; shelterH6738 — Full Word Study → overמֵעַ֣לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Jonah’sלְיוֹנָ֗הlə·yō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → headרֹאשׁ֔וֹrō·šōw — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → to easeלְהַצִּ֥ילlə·haṣ·ṣîl — to rescue, deliver, or snatch awayH5337 — Full Word Study → his discomfortמֵרָֽעָת֑וֹmê·rā·‘ā·ṯōw — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →, and Jonahיוֹנָ֛הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → was greatlyשִׂמְחָ֥הśim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → pleasedוַיִּשְׂמַ֥חway·yiś·maḥ — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → with the plantהַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹןhaq·qî·qā·yō·wn — Gourd plant; climbing vine with large leavesH7021 — Full Word Study →. 7When dawnהַשַּׁ֖חַרhaš·ša·ḥar — Dawn, early morning, daybreakH7837 — Full Word Study → cameבַּעֲל֥וֹתba·‘ă·lō·wṯ — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → the next dayלַֽמָּחֳרָ֑תlam·mā·ḥo·rāṯ — The next day, morrow, following dayH4283 — Full Word Study →, Godהָֽאֱלֹהִים֙hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → appointedוַיְמַ֤ןway·man — To count, number, appoint, or ordainH4487 — Full Word Study → a wormתּוֹלַ֔עַתtō·w·la·‘aṯ — Crimson or scarlet dye/cloth; the worm producing itH8438 — Full Word Study → that attackedוַתַּ֥ךְwat·taḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → the plantהַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹןhaq·qî·qā·yō·wn — Gourd plant; climbing vine with large leavesH7021 — Full Word Study → so that it witheredוַיִּיבָֽשׁ׃way·yî·ḇāš — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →. 8As the sunהַשֶּׁ֗מֶשׁhaš·še·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → was risingכִּזְרֹ֣חַkiz·rō·aḥ — to rise, shine forth, break outH2224 — Full Word Study →, Godאֱלֹהִ֜ים’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → appointedוַיְמַ֨ןway·man — To count, number, appoint, or ordainH4487 — Full Word Study → a scorchingחֲרִישִׁ֔יתḥă·rî·šîṯ — fierce, vehement, scorching heatH2759 — Full Word Study → eastקָדִים֙qā·ḏîm — east; eastward; east windH6921 — Full Word Study → windר֤וּחַrū·aḥ — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study →, and the sunהַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁhaš·še·meš — The sun; sunlight; dayH8121 — Full Word Study → beat downוַתַּ֥ךְwat·taḵ — To strike, smite, or defeat with forceH5221 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Jonah’sיוֹנָ֖הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study → headרֹ֥אשׁrōš — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → so that he grew faintוַיִּתְעַלָּ֑ףway·yiṯ·‘al·lāp̄ — to wrap, faint, or cover overH5968 — Full Word Study → and wishedוַיִּשְׁאַ֤לway·yiš·’al — to ask, request, inquire, or demandH7592 — Full Word Study → to dieלָמ֔וּתlā·mūṯ — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study →, sayingוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “It is betterט֥וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → for me to dieמוֹתִ֖יmō·w·ṯî — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study → than to liveמֵחַיָּֽי׃mê·ḥay·yāy — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →.” 9Then Godאֱלֹהִים֙’ĕ·lō·hîm — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → askedוַיֹּ֤אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → Jonahיוֹנָ֔הyō·w·nāh — DoveH3124 — Full Word Study →, “Have you any rightהַהֵיטֵ֥בha·hê·ṭêḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study → to be angryחָרָֽה־ḥā·rāh- — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → aboutעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the plantהַקִּֽיקָי֑וֹןhaq·qî·qā·yō·wn — Gourd plant; climbing vine with large leavesH7021 — Full Word Study →?” “I doהֵיטֵ֥בhê·ṭêḇ — to be good, to improve, to do wellH3190 — Full Word Study →,” he repliedוַיֹּ֕אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →. “I am angryחָֽרָה־ḥā·rāh- — to burn with anger, become incensedH2734 — Full Word Study → enough toעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → dieמָֽוֶת׃mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study →!” 10But the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·mer — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Youאַתָּ֥ה’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → caredחַ֙סְתָּ֙ḥas·tā — to have compassion, spare, or show pityH2347 — Full Word Study → aboutעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the plantהַקִּ֣יקָי֔וֹןhaq·qî·qā·yō·wn — Gourd plant; climbing vine with large leavesH7021 — Full Word Study →, whichאֲשֶׁ֛ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → you neitherלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → tendedעָמַ֥לְתָּ‘ā·mal·tā — to toil, labor, exert effortH5998 — Full Word Study → norוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → made growגִדַּלְתּ֑וֹḡid·dal·tōw — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study →. It sprang upהָיָ֖הhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → in a nightשֶׁבִּן־šeb·bin- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and perishedאָבָֽד׃’ā·ḇāḏ — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study → in a nightוּבִן־ū·ḇin- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →. 11So should Iוַֽאֲנִי֙wa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → careאָח֔וּס’ā·ḥūs — to have compassion, spare, or show pityH2347 — Full Word Study → aboutעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the greatהַגְּדוֹלָ֑הhag·gə·ḏō·w·lāh — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → cityהָעִ֣ירhā·‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Ninevehנִינְוֵ֖הnî·nə·wêh — Capital of AssyriaH5210 — Full Word Study →, whichאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → hasיֶשׁ־yeš- — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → more thanהַרְבֵּה֩har·bêh — To increase, multiply, grow abundantH7235 — Full Word Study → 120,000 peopleאָדָ֗ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֤ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → cannotלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → tellיָדַע֙yā·ḏa‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → their right handיְמִינ֣וֹyə·mî·nōw — right hand, right side, southH3225 — Full Word Study → from their leftלִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹliś·mō·lōw — left side, left hand, or the left directionH8040 — Full Word Study →, and manyרַבָּֽה׃rab·bāh — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → cattle as wellוּבְהֵמָ֖הū·ḇə·hê·māh — Animal, beast, livestockH929 — Full Word Study →?”
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Chapter Commentary — Jonah 4
Chapter Overview

Chapter 4 Overview

Jonah chapter 4 presents a striking conclusion to the book: after witnessing the greatest revival in Old Testament history, the prophet is consumed by anger and despair. The focus shifts from Nineveh's repentance to Jonah's spiritual condition, revealing the hard truth that external obedience can mask an unrepentant heart. Through the parable of the gourd, God addresses the real issue—not Jonah's disobedience, but his lack of compassion for the lost. This chapter confronts us with a difficult mirror: do our hearts align with God's heart for the salvation of all people?

Verses 1–3: Jonah's Bitter Complaint

Jonah's anger is immediate and explosive. His displeasure is not merely disappointment—it is profound spiritual rebellion. In verse 2, he reveals why he fled to Tarshish in the first place: he knew God was gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in kindness. Rather than rejoice in God's character, Jonah resents it. He fears that God will show mercy to Nineveh, and this fear has become reality. His knowledge of God's nature, which should produce worship, instead produces despair so deep that he wishes to die (verse 3).

This reveals a critical spiritual lesson: we can know the truth about God and still resist His ways. Jonah's theology was correct, but his heart was wrong. His anger stemmed from nationalistic pride and a desire for judgment rather than grace. The application is humbling: how often do we resist God's will, not from ignorance, but from hardened preferences?

Verses 4–5: God's Question and Jonah's Waiting

Rather than rebuke Jonah harshly, God asks a penetrating question: "Doest thou well to be angry?" This is not condemnation but invitation to self-reflection. God does not answer Jonah's arguments directly; instead, He challenges the anger itself. The question implies that anger, in this context, is not well—it is inappropriate and sinful.

Jonah, unwilling to surrender his position, removes himself to the east of the city and builds a booth, waiting to see if God will still destroy Nineveh. He is sullen, defiant, and hoping for catastrophe. This posture reveals the stubborn nature of Jonah's heart.

Verses 6–9: The Gourd, the Worm, and God's Object Lesson

God now employs a living parable. He provides a gourd for shade, and Jonah experiences exceeding gladness. But the next day, a worm destroys it, and a harsh east wind causes Jonah to faint with heat. Again, he desires death. When God asks if Jonah does well to be angry about the gourd, Jonah responds stubbornly: "I do well to be angry, even unto death" (verse 9).

The irony is cutting: Jonah cares passionately about a plant that cost him nothing, that appeared overnight and vanished just as quickly. Yet he is furious that God extends mercy to 120,000 souls and countless animals.

Verses 10–11: God's Final Word

God's closing statement is both tender and devastating. In verse 10, He notes that Jonah had no part in the gourd's creation or growth. In verse 11, He pivots to the real concern: should not God spare a great city of over 120,000 people who cannot discern between right and left hand—including vulnerable children—and much livestock?

God is not arguing with Jonah; He is revealing the heart of God. His compassion extends to all His creatures, especially the innocent. The book ends without recording Jonah's response, leaving readers to examine their own hearts.

Application for Today

Do we share God's burden for the lost, or do we harbor conditions on His grace? Like Jonah, we may obey God outwardly while resisting His heart inwardly. The challenge before us is clear: will we surrender our anger, our pride, and our preferences to embrace God's passion for redemption? True obedience means not just doing what God commands, but wanting what God wants—the salvation of the nations and the compassion of our Creator.

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