Jonah 4:1-7

Jonah's Anger

1 But Jonah was greatly displeased and became furious.
2 He prayed to the Lord: "Please, Lord, isn't this what I said while I was still in my own country? That's why I fled toward Tarshish in the first place.[a] I knew that You are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to become angry, rich in faithful love, and One who relents from [sending] disaster.[b]
3 And now, Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."
4 The Lord asked, "Is it right for you to be angry?"
5 Jonah left the city and sat down east of it. He made himself a shelter there and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.
6 Then the Lord God appointed a plant,[c] and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah's head to ease his discomfort.[d] Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.
7 When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, and it withered.

Jonah 4:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JONAH 4

This chapter gives us an account of Jonah's displeasure at the repentance of the Ninevites, and at the Lord's showing mercy unto them, Jon 4:1; the angry prayer of Jonah upon it, Jon 4:2,3; the Lord's gentle reproof of him for it, Jon 4:4; his conduct upon that, Jon 4:5; the gourd prepared for him; its rise, usefulness, and destruction, which raised different passions in Jonah, Jon 4:6-8; the improvement the Lord made of this to rebuke Jonah, for his displicency at the mercy he showed to the Ninevites, and to convict him of his folly, Jon 4:9-11.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. Jnh 1:3
  • [b]. Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18; Neh 9:17
  • [c]. either a castor-oil plant or a climbing gourd
  • [d]. Lit to deliver him from his evil
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