Translations
Modern
Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.
Traditional
So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.
Literal
And Jonah went out from the city, and sat on the east of the city; and he made for himself there a shelter, and he sat under it in the shade, until that he might see what would become of the city.
Latin
Et egressus est Jonas de civitate, et sedit contra orientem civitatis: et fecit sibimet umbraculum ibi, et sedebat subter illud in umbra, donec videret quid accideret civitati.
Original
Hebrew
English
Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.
Notes
Jonah’s desire to die rather than accept God’s will (see also Jonah 4:8–9) and his choice to wait in hope that the city would be destroyed (Jonah 4:5) show his hard heart (his refusal to change or show mercy) and his hatred for the Assyrians.
The story changes in a surprising way. Jonah, who had received God’s mercy himself, complains that the Lord has shown mercy to the Assyrians. The prophet’s disrespectful response emphasizes how great God’s grace truly is (see Jonah 4:8–11 for God's response).
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
Events
- Prophecies of Jonahc. 825 BC
People
Jonah: Prophet swallowed by fish, preached to Nineveh