Written By Lesallan – August 14, 2023

Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV): Detailed Analysis
Version: ESV
INITIAL OBSERVATIONS & QUESTIONS
• Jonah 4 (ESV) begins with a contrast: “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly” (Jonah 4:1, ESV).
o Does this passage imply that something pleased someone else before this?
o What was it?
o Who was pleased?
• Jonah 4:2 (ESV) reveals Jonah’s motive for fleeing to Tarshish: he did not want God to be merciful to Nineveh (Jonah 4:2, ESV).
o Why did Jonah have such an intense hatred for Nineveh?
o How did he know God’s character and attributes?
• Jonah 4:1, 3, 6, 8 (ESV) shows Jonah’s extreme emotional state: he was angry, he prayed to die, he was exceedingly glad, and he was faint (Jonah 4:1, 3, 6, 8, ESV).
o What caused these changes in his mood?
o How did he express his feelings to God?
• Jonah (Jonah 4:4, 9, ESV) records God’s questions to Jonah: “Do you do well to be angry?” (Jonah 4:4-9, ESV).
o How did Jonah respond to these questions?
o What was God trying to teach him?
• Jonah 4:6-8 (ESV) describes God’s actions toward Jonah: he appointed a plant, a worm, and a wind (Jonah 4:6-8, ESV).
o What was the purpose of these appointments?
o How did they affect Jonah?
• Jonah 4:11 (ESV) ends the Book with a rhetorical question from God: “And should not I pity Nineveh…?” (Jonah 4:11, ESV).
o What is the implied answer to this question?
o How does this question challenge Jonah’s perspective and attitude?
• What is the main theme or message of the Book of Jonah (ESV)?
• How does the Book of Jonah (ESV) relate to the rest of the Bible and God’s plan of salvation?
• How does the Book of Jonah (ESV) challenge our views on God’s sovereignty, justice, and mercy?
• How does the Book of Jonah (ESV) inspire us to repent, obey, and share God’s love with others?
• How does the Book of Jonah (ESV) reveal God’s heart for all nations and peoples?

STRUCTURE
Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV) highlights God’s compassion and Jonah’s resentment. The Book of Jonah (ESV) shows God’s mercy towards Israel and Gentiles, including Nineveh. Jonah is a reluctant prophet who dislikes God’s love for other nations. He runs away from God’s call to preach to Nineveh and wishes to die when God spares the city. In the end, Jonah is narrow-minded and self-righteous, more concerned about a plant than a city of 120,000 people. He fails to see his own need for repentance and grace. Throughout the Book of Jonah (ESV), we see God’s sovereignty and patience on display. He commands the sea, the fish, the plant, the worm, and the wind to fulfill His purposes. God speaks to Jonah with challenging questions that reveal his attitude and inconsistencies. In His compassion, God expresses His pity for Nineveh, demonstrating that He cares for all, even the wicked. He even invites Jonah to share his own perspective and mission. The Book of Jonah leaves us with an open-ended conclusion, leaving us to ponder Jonah’s ultimate response to God’s call. The Book of Jonah (ESV) teaches us that human boundaries or prejudices do not limit God’s love. The Book of Jonah (ESV) also warns us that we can become like Jonah if we do not repent of our sins and align our hearts with God’s. The Book of Jonah (ESV) calls us to be obedient and compassionate messengers of God’s grace to a lost and dying world.
The phrase “it is better for me to die than to live” (Jonah 4:3, 4:8, ESV) is repeated twice. The repetition is first seen in Jonah 4:3 (ESV) and then again in Jonah 4:8 (ESV). This repetition emphasizes Jonah’s despair and frustration (Bauer & Traina, 2014). Contrast (Bauer & Traina, 2014) is seen between Jonah’s anger and God’s compassion. Jonah 4:1 (ESV) says that Jonah was exceedingly displeased and angry, while in Jonah 4:2 (ESV), Jonah acknowledges that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Cause-and-effect relationships (Bauer & Traina, 2014) connect the events in the passage (Jonah 4, ESV). In Jonah 4:6 (ESV), God appoints a plant to provide shade for Jonah, which causes Jonah to be exceedingly glad. However, in Jonah 4:7 (ESV), God appoints a worm to attack the plant, causing it to wither and leaving Jonah without shade. Jonah 4:4 (ESV) is the passage’s pivoting point (Bauer & Traina, 2014). Jonah expresses his anger and frustration with God in the first three verses of this passage (Jonah 4:1-3, ESV). In Jonah 4:4 (ESV), God responds by asking Jonah if he does well to be angry. This question prompts a change in the direction of the narrative as the focus shifts from Jonah’s anger to God’s response.

I. Jonah’s Anger and Complaint (Jonah 4:1-3, ESV).
A. Jonah’s displeasure and anger (Jonah 4:1, ESV).
B. Jonah’s prayer and justification (Jonah 4:2, ESV).
C. Jonah’s request for death (Jonah 4:3, ESV).
II. God’s Response and Object Lesson (Jonah 4:4-8, ESV).
A. God’s question to Jonah (Jonah 4:4, ESV).
B. Jonah’s shelter outside the city (Jonah 4:5, ESV).
C. God’s provision of the plant for shade (Jonah 4:6, ESV).
D. God’s removal of the plant and provision of scorching heat (Jonah 4:7-8, ESV).
III. God’s Explanation and Rebuke (Jonah 4:9-11, ESV).
A. God questions Jonah about the plant (Jonah 4:9, ESV).
B. Jonah’s response and continued anger (Jonah 4:9, ESV).
C. God’s explanation and comparison to Nineveh (Jonah 4:10-11, ESV).

WORDS & PHRASES
“angry” (Jonah 4:1, 2, 4, 9, ESV).
What does the word angry mean in Jonah 4:1, 2, 4, 9 (ESV)?
In the Book of Jonah (ESV), the word “angry” describes Jonah’s emotional state after God showed mercy to the people of Nineveh.

What does the Hebrew word for angry mean in Jonah 4:1, 2, 4, 9 (ESV)?
The ancient Hebrew word for “angry” is literally “to be hot” (Strong’s Concordance, 1890).

Used in the context of Jonah 4:1, 2, 4, 9 (ESV), what does the word “angry” refer to?
In this context, the word “angry” refers to a strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or punishment. Jonah’s anger was directed towards God because he felt that God’s actions did not meet his expectations. He was resentful that God had shown mercy to the Ninevites and spared them from destruction. It is important to note that while anger is a natural human emotion, it can become sinful when it is excessive or directed toward the wrong things. In this case, Jonah’s anger toward God was unjustified, and God challenged him to examine his heart and attitude.

“gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2, ESV).
What are the words and phrases “gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love” in Jonah 4:2 (ESV) used to describe?
These words and phrases are part of a more extensive description of God’s character found throughout the Old Testament and are often called the “Thirteen Attributes of God” (adonaishalomusa, 2022).

What do the words “gracious, compassionate, and the phrase “slow to anger” (Jonah 4:2, ESV) mean?
The word “gracious” means showing kindness, mercy, and compassion. In this context, it refers to God’s willingness to show favor and mercy to those who do not deserve it. The word “compassionate” means showing concern for the suffering of others. In this context, it refers to God’s deep love, care for His creation, and the desire to alleviate their suffering. The phrase “slow to anger” means that God is patient and not quick to become angry. In Jonah 4:2 (ESV), this phrase refers to God’s willingness to give people time to repent and turn back to Him rather than immediately punishing them for their wrongdoing.

“abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2, ESV).
What is the phrase “abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2, ESV) used to describe?
The phrase “abounding in love” found in Jonah 4:2 (ESV) describes God’s character. In its Biblical context, this phrase means God’s love is abundant, overflowing, and never-ending. It refers to the depth and breadth of God’s love for His creation and desire to show mercy and forgiveness.

What does the phrase “abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2, ESV) emphasize?
The phrase “abounding in love” (Jonah 4:2, ESV) emphasizes the limitless nature of God’s love. It suggests that there is no end to the love that God has for His creation and that His love extends to all people, regardless of their actions or circumstances. This love is not earned or deserved; a gracious and compassionate God freely gives it.

Summary, correlation, & application

God is merciful and compassionate, even towards those who may not seem deserving of it, and His mercy extends beyond the boundaries of one nation or group of people.

In Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV), the passage’s main point arises through the contrast between Jonah’s anger and God’s mercy. Jonah is angry that God has shown mercy to Nineveh, a city that he believes does not deserve it. However, God responds by showing Jonah that His mercy extends beyond the boundaries of one nation or group of people. Through the object lesson of the plant, God demonstrates to Jonah that He cares for all of His creation, even those who may seem insignificant or undeserving. In the final verses of the passage, God explains to Jonah that just as he had compassion for the plant, so too does God have compassion for the people of Nineveh. This passage illustrates the depth and breadth of God’s mercy and compassion and challenges readers to extend that same mercy and compassion to others.

The theme of God’s mercy and compassion in Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV) is found throughout the Bible, from the Old to the New Testament, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7 (ESV) and Psalm 103:8 (ESV). Jesus also teaches about God’s mercy in his parables. The Book of Jonah emphasizes the importance of repentance and forgiveness. God shows the people of Nineveh mercy because they repent and turn from their wicked ways. This theme of repentance leading to forgiveness is also present in other parts of the Bible. In Ezekiel 18:21-23 (ESV), God states that if wicked people turn away from their sins and do what is just and right, they shall surely live, and their transgressions will not be remembered. In the New Testament, John the Baptist preaches a message of repentance, and Jesus calls people to repent and believe in the gospel. The message is clear – when one repents, they can receive forgiveness and new life. These are just a few examples of how Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV) relates to other parts of Scripture outside the Book of Jonah. The themes of mercy, compassion, repentance, and forgiveness are woven throughout the Bible, revealing a consistent message about God’s character and His desire for people to turn to Him. When interpreted within its canonical context, Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV) can have personal and communal applications for individuals, local churches, denominations, and the church as a whole. One way this passage can be applied is by challenging us all to examine our own attitudes towards others, particularly those we may view as undeserving of God’s mercy. Just as Jonah was angry that God showed mercy to Nineveh, we, too, can struggle with extending grace and compassion to those we believe do not deserve it. This passage reminds us that our biases or prejudices do not limit God’s mercy and challenge us to extend that same mercy to others. Another way that this passage can apply is by reminding us of the importance of repentance and forgiveness. God shows mercy to Nineveh in the passage because people repent and turn from their wicked ways. This theme of repentance leading to forgiveness is a central message of the gospel with both personal and communal implications. As individuals, we are called to repent of our own sins and turn to God for forgiveness. As a community, we are called to extend forgiveness to others and to seek reconciliation with those who have wronged us. By examining this passage in light of the broader message of Scripture, we can gain insight into how it applies to our lives and communities.

Further questions

• How does Jonah’s attitude towards Nineveh compare to God’s attitude towards Nineveh?
• What is the significance of the plant in Jonah 4:6 (ESV), and what does it represent?
• How does God’s response to Jonah’s anger challenge our own attitudes toward others?
• What can we learn from Jonah’s prayer in Jonah 4:2 (ESV) about his understanding of God’s character?
• How does the message found in Jonah 4:1-11 (ESV) relate to the broader themes of the Book of Jonah (ESV) and the Bible as a whole?

References:

adonaishalomusa. (2022, February 10). Do you know the 13 attributes of God? – Adonai Shalom. Adonaishalom.com. https://adonaishalom.com/index.php/2022/02/10/do-you-know-the-13-attributes-of-god/

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/