Jonah 3:6

Translations

Modern

When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

Traditional

For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

Literal

And this word reached to the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne and passed off his royal clothing from him, and he covered himself with sackcloth and sat upon the ashes.

Latin

Et pervenit verbum ad regem Ninive: et surrexit de solio suo, et abjecit vestimentum suum a se, et indutus est sacco, et sedit in cinere.

Original

Hebrew

English

When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.

Notes

Jonah 3:6

The king of Nineveh may have been a local ruler who governed the city. It is also possible that he was the king of Assyria, who at times used Nineveh as a center of royal rule (compare 2 Kings 19:9–13).

Jonah 3:5–6

For the second time in this short book, non-believers respond positively to the Lord (compare Jonah 1:16).
In ancient Israel, people often fasted during prayer and repentance in difficult times (see 2 Samuel 1:12; Nehemiah 1:4). Wearing burlap and sitting on ashes often showed mourning and deep repentance (see Genesis 37:34; Job 16:15; Lamentations 2:10). The Assyrians had similar customs. These actions allowed people to show their grief in a visible way for everyone, including God, to see.
The repentance of the Ninevites criticized the stubbornness of people in the time of Jesus (Matthew 12:41).

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 Justice

Events

Prophecies of Jonahc. 825 BC

Related verses

James 4:6–10
But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Esther 4:1–4
When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly.
Daniel 9:3
So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.
Job 2:8
And Job took a piece of broken pottery to scrape himself as he sat among the ashes.
Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
James 1:9–10
The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position.
Jeremiah 6:26
O daughter of my people, dress yourselves in sackcloth and roll in ashes. Mourn with bitter wailing, as you would for an only son, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us.
Ezekiel 27:30–31
They will raise their voices for you and cry out bitterly. They will throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes.
Luke 10:13
Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
Jeremiah 13:18
Say to the king and to the queen mother: “Take a lowly seat, for your glorious crowns have fallen from your heads.”
Micah 1:10
Do not tell it in Gath; do not weep at all. Roll in the dust in Beth-leaphrah.
Psalm 2:10–12
Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.

Parallels

Matthew 12:38–42 Luke 11:29–32

Places

Nineveh: The capital of Assyria, known for its wickedness and repentance

Glossary

Ashes Book of Jonah Nineveh, Ninevite Throne

Topics

Ashes: Repenting In Christian Minister: Success Attending: Jonah Fasting: National Exemplified: Ninevites Fasting: Ninevites, when Jonah Preached to Them Heathen: The Ninevites Judgments: should Lead to Humiliation Missions: General Scriptures Concerning Nineveh: Inhabitants of, Repented at Jonah's Preaching Obedience: Ninevites Orator: Jonah Repentance: The Ninevites, by the Preaching of Jonah Repentance: True: Nineveh Revivals in Nineveh Rulers: Righteous: King of Nineveh, in Repenting, and Proclaimimg a Fast

Jonah 3:6

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Notes

Events

Related verses

Parallels

Glossary

Topics