Jonah Chapter 3 — Nineveh’s Repentance and God’s Mercy
Jonah obeys God's second command to preach in Nineveh, leading the entire city and its king to repent. Seeing their change of heart, God relents from the planned destruction.
1The LORD’s word came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2“Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach to it the message that I give you.”
3So Jonah arose, and went to Nineveh, according to the LORD’s word. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days’ journey across.
4Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried out, and said, “In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!”
5The people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even to their least.
6The news reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
7He made a proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, “Let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water;
8but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal, and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.
9Who knows whether God will not turn and relent, and turn away from his fierce anger, so that we might not perish?”
10God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. God relented of the disaster which he said he would do to them, and he didn’t do it.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jonah 3:5
“The people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even to their least.”
This verse marks the unexpected and immediate response of a pagan city to the prophet's message.
Jonah 3:10
“God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. God relented of the disaster which he said he would do to them, and he didn’t do it.”
This verse highlights the central theme of God's willingness to show mercy when people turn from their sins.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter, the word of the Lord comes to Jonah a second time, commanding him to go to Nineveh and deliver a specific message. This time, Jonah obeys and enters the vast city, which takes three days to traverse. He proclaims that in forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown. The response is immediate and widespread: the citizens believe God, declare a fast, and put on sackcloth. Even the king of Nineveh humbles himself, trading his royal robes for sackcloth and sitting in ashes. He issues a decree that all people and animals must fast and cry out to God, turning from their evil ways and violence. The king hopes that God might notice their repentance and turn away His anger. When God sees the people's sincere actions and their decision to turn from evil, He shows compassion and chooses not to bring the disaster He had previously threatened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jonah's message was short and direct: 'In forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown!' He preached this message as he traveled a day's journey into the city after receiving God's second call.
The king rose from his throne, removed his royal robes, and covered himself in sackcloth and ashes. He then issued a formal decree for a total fast for both humans and animals, urging everyone to turn from violence and cry out to God.
The text states that God saw their works and how they turned from their evil ways. Because of their sincere repentance and change of behavior, God relented and did not bring the disaster He had planned.
Study Note
The description of Nineveh as a 'three days’ journey across' likely refers to the circumference of the greater administrative district or the time required to navigate and preach throughout its various quarters.
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