Jonah 4:11

Translations

Modern

So should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well?”

Traditional

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Literal

And I, should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city, in which are more than twelve myriad people who do not know between their right hand to their left hand, and many animals?”

Latin

…et ego non parcam Ninive, civitati magnæ, in qua sunt plus quam centum viginti millia hominum qui nesciunt quid sit inter dexteram et sinistram suam, et jumenta multa?

Original

Hebrew

English

So should I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well?”

Notes

Jonah 4:11

who cannot tell their right hand from their left: God sent his message through his prophetic word in a wicked city. Not everyone who encounters God's light responds positively (see John 3:19–21), but God wants to save those who genuinely repent and have faith.
The book ends suddenly, prompting the reader to consider God's final question to Jonah. God prefers to save rather than destroy. Those who have received his mercy should be happy for that same mercy to be shown to others, even their enemies.

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 Anger Complaints God’s Change of Mind God’s Justice

Events

Prophecies of Jonahc. 825 BC

Related verses

Matthew 18:33
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’
Luke 15:28–32
The older son became angry and refused to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him.
Jonah 1:2
“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.”
Psalm 145:8–9
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.
Psalm 36:6
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea. O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
Deuteronomy 1:39
And the little ones you said would become captives—your children who on that day did not know good from evil—will enter the land that I will give them, and they will possess it.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
Psalm 104:14
He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:
Psalm 145:15–16
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season.
Psalm 104:27–28
All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season.
Jonah 3:2–3
“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message that I give you.”
Jonah 3:10–4:1
When God saw their actions—that they had turned from their evil ways—He relented from the disaster He had threatened to bring upon them.

Places

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

Glossary

Book of Jonah Nineveh, Ninevite

Topics

Animals: God's Care of Cities: Densely Inhabited Nineveh: Contained a Population of Upwards of One-Hundred and Twenty Thousand People, when Jonah Preached Nineveh: Destruction of, Averted Nineveh: Populous Parables: The Gourd The Mercy of God is Part of his Character

Jonah 4:11

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