Written By Lesallan – August 13, 2023

Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV): Detailed Analysis

Version: ESV

Initial Observations & Questions

• The Word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time (Jonah 3:1, ESV).
  • When was the first time the Word of the Lord came to Jonah (Jonah 1:1-2, ESV)?
• Jonah obeyed the Word of the Lord, the second time and went to Nineveh (Jonah 3:3, ESV).
• What was Jonah’s response to God’s second command (Jonah 3:3-4, ESV)?
• Why did he change his mind and obey?
• Nineveh was a great city requiring three days to get to it (Jonah 3:3, ESV).
• What was the significance of Nineveh?
• Why was it essential for Jonah to go there?
• Jonah proclaimed that in forty days, Nineveh would be overthrown (Jonah 3:4, ESV).
• What was the message that Jonah was commanded to deliver?
• Why was it necessary?
• The people of Nineveh believed in God and repented (Jonah 3:5-9, ESV).
• What was the response of the people of Nineveh to Jonah’s message?
• How did they show repentance?
• God saw their repentance and relented from the disaster He had planned (Jonah 3:10, ESV).
• How did God respond to the repentance of the people of Nineveh?
• What does this teach us about God’s character?
• What is this passage’s cultural and/or historical context (Jonah 3:1-10, ESV)?
• What else should I know about the book, author, and the broader context of Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV)?
• What other Scripture passages might help me better interpret Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV)?

Structure

Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) is the story of Jonah’s second chance to obey God’s command to go to Nineveh and preach against it. Jonah had initially refused and was swallowed by a great fish (Jonah 1:17, ESV). After three days and nights in the belly of the fish, Jonah repented and was vomited out onto dry land (Jonah 2:10, ESV). In Jonah 3 (ESV), God again commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, and this time he obeys (Jonah 3:1-3, ESV). The people of Nineveh repent after hearing Jonah’s message (Jonah 3:4, ESV), and God relents from destroying them (Jonah 3:5-10, ESV). The Book of Jonah is a story about God’s mercy and compassion for all people, even those who are not the Israelites. It also shows how God can use even reluctant or disobedient people to accomplish His purposes. Jonah 3:1 (ESV) introduces the passage of Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) and reminds us of God’s command to Jonah. The repetition of “the word of the Lord came to Jonah” (Jonah 3:1, ESV) emphasizes the event’s significance. Jonah 3:3 (ESV) marks a shift in the passage to the response of the people of Nineveh, highlighting the importance of Jonah’s obedience and the repentance of the Ninevites. Causation between Jonah’s preaching and the repentance of Ninevites emphasizes the power of Jonah’s message. The contrast between Jonah’s disobedience and eventual obedience emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s commands. Jonah 3:10 (ESV) generalizes God’s character, emphasizing His mercy and compassion (Bauer & Traina, 2014). The climax of the passage in Jonah 3:10 (ESV) and serves as a powerful reminder of God’s mercy and compassion.

Outline:

I. Jonah’s Obedience (Jonah 3:1-4, ESV).
A. The Word of the Lord Comes to Jonah (Jonah 3:1, ESV).
B. Jonah Goes to Nineveh (Jonah 3:2-3, ESV).
C. Jonah Proclaims God’s Message (Jonah 3:4, ESV).
II. Nineveh’s Repentance (Jonah 3:5-9, ESV).
A. The People Believe in God (Jonah 3:5, ESV).
B. The King Issues a Proclamation (Jonah 3:6-9, ESV).
III. God’s Response (Jonah 3:10, ESV).
A. God Sees Their Repentance (3:10, ESV).
B. God Relents from Disaster (3:10, ESV).

Words & Phrases

“obeyed” (Jonah 3:3, ESV).
What does the word “obeyed” mean in the context of Jonah 3:3 (ESV)?
In Jonah 3:3 (ESV), the word “obeyed” means that Jonah followed the command of God. He went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord.
“overthrown” (Jonah 3:4, ESV).
What does the word “overthrown” mean in the context of Jonah 3:4 (ESV)?
In the Book of Jonah (Jonah 3:4 ESV), the word “overthrown” means to destroy, devastate, or overturn something completely. In the context of the Book of Jonah 3:4 (ESV), the word “overthrown” implies that God would bring a severe judgment on Nineveh because of their wickedness and violence.

What does the word “overthrown,” which has been translated from the Hebrew word “haphak” (Strong’s Concordance, 1890), mean, and how is it used in other parts of the Old Testament?
The word “haphak” is also used to describe the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 (ESV) as well as other places in the Old Testament. In Genesis 19:21-25 (ESV), the word “haphak” is used three times to describe how God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities with fire and brimstone. The word is also used in Deuteronomy 29:23 (ESV) and Jeremiah 20:16 (ESV) to refer to the same event. In Exodus 7:17-20 (ESV), the word “haphak” is used twice to describe how God turned the water of the Nile into blood as one of the plagues against Egypt. The word is also used in Psalm 105:29 (ESV) to refer to the same event. In Leviticus 13:55 (ESV), the word “haphak” is used to describe how a priest should turn a garment that has a leprous disease inside out and examine it. The word is also used in Leviticus 13:3, 20, 25, 32, 36, and 51 (ESV) for the same purpose. In Job 9:5 (ESV), the word “haphak” describes how God overturns the mountains in his anger. The word is also used in Psalm 46:2 (ESV) and Isaiah 54:10 (ESV) to describe God’s power over the mountains. In Psalm 30:11 (ESV), the word “haphak” describes how God turned the psalmist’s mourning into dancing. The word is also used in Lamentations 5:15 (ESV) to describe the opposite situation, how God turned joy into mourning. In Proverbs 12:7 (ESV), the word “haphak” describes how the wicked are overthrown and are no more. The word is also used in Proverbs 21:12 (ESV) and Isaiah 29:16 (ESV) to describe the fate of the wicked. In Isaiah 6:10 (ESV), the word “haphak” describes how God converted a remnant of Israel who had a hard heart and did not listen to his voice. The word is also used in Esther 9:1 (ESV) and Daniel 9:13 (ESV) to describe how God changed the situation of his people for good.

“turned from their evil ways” (Jonah 3:10, ESV).
What does the phrase “turned from their evil ways” mean in the context of Jonah 3:10 (ESV)?
The phrase “turned from their evil ways” in the context of Jonah 3:10 (ESV) means that the people of Nineveh changed their behavior and attitude towards God and others. They stopped doing the things that offended God and harmed their neighbors, and they started doing the things that pleased God and showed love to their neighbors. They demonstrated their repentance by fasting, wearing sackcloth, and crying out to God for mercy. They also obeyed the king’s decree to stop all violence and injustice in the land. They hoped God would see their sincerity and spare them from the destruction Jonah had announced.

What is the phrase “turned from their evil ways” translated from Hebrew meaning mean, and how is it used?
Translated from the Hebrew word “shub” (Strong’s Concordance, 1890) means to return, to turn back, or restore. This word and phrase in the Old Testament is often used to describe the action of repentance – which requires us to turn away from sin and return to God.

In what other places in the Old Testament has the Hebrew word “shub” been used to describe the action of repentance?
In the Book of 2 Chronicles (ESV), God says: “if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn (shub) from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV). In the Book of Jeremiah (ESV), God says: “and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns (shub) from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it” (Jeremiah 18:8, ESV). In the Book of Joel (ESV), God says: “and rend your hearts and not your garments. Return (shub) to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. Who knows whether he will not turn (shub) and relent, and leave a blessing behind him” (Joel 2:14-14, ESV).

What did the phrase “turned from their evil ways” (Jonah 3:10, ESV) show the people of Nineveh?
The people of Nineveh understood the true meaning of repentance. They did not just say sorry or feel sorry for their sins; they changed their lives according to God’s will. They proved their faith through their works. They also experienced God’s grace and mercy, as He forgave and spared them from His wrath. The phrase “turned from their evil ways” also contrasts with Jonah’s attitude, who did not turn from his anger and bitterness towards Nineveh. He did not rejoice over their salvation but resented God’s kindness towards them. He did not learn the lesson of repentance that God wanted to teach him through his experience with the fish and the plant.

Summary, correlation, & application

After Jonah obeyed God’s command to preach to the people of Nineveh, they repented of their wickedness, and God relented from the disaster He had planned for them (Jonah 3:1-10, ESV).

The main point of Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) arises from the events described in the passage. At the beginning of the passage, we see that Jonah obeys God’s command to go to Nineveh and preach against its wickedness (Jonah 3:1-3, ESV). Jonah delivers a powerful message, warning the people of Nineveh that in forty days, their city will be overthrown (Jonah 3:4, ESV). The people of Nineveh respond to Jonah’s message by believing in God and repenting of their wickedness. They fasted, put on sackcloth, and cried out to God for mercy (Jonah 3:5, ESV). When God sees their repentance, He relents from the disaster He had planned for them (Jonah 3:10, ESV). This passage (Jonah 3:1-10, ESV) shows the power of obedience, repentance, and God’s mercy. Jonah’s obedience to God’s command leads to the repentance of the people of Nineveh, and their repentance leads to God’s mercy.

Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) is a powerful passage that illustrates the themes of obedience, repentance, and God’s mercy. These themes are not unique to the Book of Jonah (ESV) but can be found throughout the Bible. For example, in the Book of 2 Chronicles (ESV), we see King Josiah leading the people of Judah in repentance and turning back to God (2 Chronicles 34, ESV). In the Book of Luke (ESV), we see Jesus telling the parable of the prodigal son, which illustrates the power of repentance and God’s mercy (Luke 15:11-32, ESV). In the Book of Romans, Paul writes about how God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4, ESV). These are just a few examples of how the themes found in Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) are echoed throughout Scripture. This passage is a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commands, the power of repentance, and the depth of God’s mercy.

Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) is a powerful passage that illustrates the themes of obedience, repentance, and God’s mercy. These themes are relevant to the historical context of the Book of Jonah (ESV) and have important applications for us today. Personally, this passage can serve as a reminder of the importance of obeying God’s commands, even when it may be difficult or uncomfortable. Like Jonah, we may be called to do things outside our comfort zone, but by obeying God’s commands, we can experience His blessings and see His power at work in our lives. For local churches and denominations, this passage can serve as a call to repentance and a reminder of God’s mercy. Like the people of Nineveh, we may have strayed from God’s ways and must turn back to Him in repentance. This passage reminds us that God is merciful and willing to forgive us when we repent. For the church as a whole, this passage can serve as a reminder of our mission to share the good news of God’s mercy with others. Like Jonah, we are called to go out into the world and proclaim God’s message of repentance and forgiveness. By doing so, we can play a part in bringing others into a relationship with God and experiencing His mercy. Overall, Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) is a powerful passage that has important applications for us personally, our local churches and denominations, and the church as a whole. By studying this passage and applying its lessons to our lives, we can grow our relationship with God and better fulfill our calling as His people.

Further questions

• What is the significance of Jonah’s message to the people of Nineveh?
• How does Jonah’s obedience to God’s command compare to his earlier disobedience?
• What can we learn from the response of the people of Nineveh to Jonah’s message?
• How does God’s mercy towards Nineveh fit into the larger narrative of the Bible?
• What is the significance of the king of Nineveh’s proclamation in response to Jonah’s message?
• How does this passage relate to other instances of repentance in the Bible?
• What can we learn from God’s response to the repentance of the people of Nineveh?
• How can we apply the lessons from this passage to our own lives?
• How can we apply Jonah 3:1-10 (ESV) to contemporary issues?

References:

Bauer, D. R., & Traina, R. A. (2014). Inductive bible study – a comprehensive guide to the practice of hermeneutics. Baker Publishing Group.

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE. (1890). Www.kingjamesbibleonline.org. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/strongs-concordance/