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Jonah 4

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 4 of 4

1 But it was a great calamity in the eye of Jonah, and it kindled anger for him.

2 And he prayed to Jehovah, and said, Please, O Jehovah, was this not my word while I was on my own land? On account of this at first I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious God and compassionate, slow to anger, and great of mercy, and One who has pity over calamity.

3 And now, O Jehovah, please take my life from me. For better is my death than my life.

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Chapter Summary

Jonah asks for Jehovah's mercy and is forgiven.

Key Hebrew Words

חָנּוּן gracious H2587 · TWOT 694d
רַחוּם compassionate H7349 · TWOT 2146c
חֶ֫סֶד mercy, lovingkindness H2617 · TWOT 698a
נָחַם relent over calamity H5162 · TWOT 1344
חָרָה be angry, burn with anger H2734 · TWOT 736
חוּס have pity, spare H2347 · TWOT 626

People & Context

Jonah

The angry prophet who resents Jehovah's mercy on Nineveh, asks to die, and grieves over the withered plant.

Jehovah

The gracious, compassionate God who appoints the plant, worm, and east wind and teaches Jonah to value His pity on Nineveh.

Timeline

Jonah's Anger

God sparing Nineveh was viewed as a great calamity by Jonah, and it kindled his anger.

Jonah 4:1
Jonah's Complaint

Jonah prayed to Jehovah, complaining that he fled to Tarshish originally because he knew God was gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and merciful.

Jonah 4:2
Jonah Asks to Die

Jonah asked Jehovah to take his life, declaring that death was better for him than life.

Jonah 4:3

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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