Old Testament

Jonah 1:2

The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English

At a Glance

In this verse, God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, a large and influential city known for its wickedness.

Author: Traditionally attributed to Jonah
Written: Around 760 BC
Genre: Prophetic narrative
Original Audience: Israelites and Gentile nations

CBTClear Bible Translation

Get up, go to the great city of Nineveh and speak out against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.

KJVKing James Version

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, a large and influential city known for its wickedness. The phrase 'speak out against it' indicates that Jonah is to deliver a message of warning about the consequences of their sinful behavior. The mention of their wickedness having 'come up before me' suggests that God is aware of their actions and is ready to address them. This call to action highlights God's concern for justice and His desire for repentance among the people of Nineveh. Jonah's mission is significant because it shows that God's mercy extends even to those who are far from Him, and it emphasizes the importance of obedience to divine instructions, even when they may be uncomfortable or challenging. Jonah's reluctance to go to Nineveh, as seen in the subsequent verses, sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of his journey and the lessons about compassion, mercy, and the power of repentance.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Jonah 1:2 to your life

This verse encourages us to respond to God's call, even when it feels daunting. It reminds us that God cares about the lost and calls us to share His message of hope and repentance with those around us, regardless of their past actions.

Curated for this public verse page. Jonah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jonah 1:2 mean?

In Jonah 1:2, God instructs Jonah to go to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, and deliver a warning about their sinful behavior. This command highlights God's awareness of their actions and His desire for them to repent.

What is the significance of Nineveh in Jonah 1:2?

Nineveh is significant in Jonah 1:2 as it represents a large and influential city that is steeped in wickedness. God's command to Jonah to go there emphasizes His concern for justice and the potential for repentance among even the most sinful.

What does 'cry against it' mean in Jonah 1:2?

The phrase 'cry against it' in Jonah 1:2 means that Jonah is to deliver a strong message of warning to the people of Nineveh about the consequences of their wickedness. It indicates a call to repentance and a plea for them to change their ways.

Why did God choose Jonah for this mission in Jonah 1:2?

God chose Jonah for this mission in Jonah 1:2 to demonstrate His mercy and willingness to reach out to those who are far from Him. Jonah's role as a prophet underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when they are challenging.

Book Summary

The Book of Jonah

Jonah 1: Jonah Flees from the Lord

The word of the Lord comes unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. But Jonah rises up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He goes down to Joppa, finds a ship going to Tarshish, pays the fare thereof, and goes down into it. The Lord sends out a great wind into the sea, and there is a mighty tempest, so that the ship is like to be broken. The mariners are afraid, and cry every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that are in the ship into the sea to lighten it. But Jonah is gone down into the sides of the ship, and he lies fast asleep.

The shipmaster comes to him and asks, What meanest thou, O sleeper? He urges Jonah to arise and call upon his God, if so be that God will think upon them, that they perish not. The mariners say every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. They cast lots, and the lot falls upon Jonah. They question him about his occupation, his country, and his people. He tells them he is an Hebrew and fears the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land. The men are exceedingly afraid and ask why he has done this, for they know he fled from the presence of the Lord. They ask what they shall do unto him that the sea may be calm. Jonah tells them to take him up and cast him forth into the sea, for he knows that for his sake this great tempest is upon them. Nevertheless, the men row hard to bring the ship to land, but they cannot. Wherefore they cry unto the Lord, saying, We beseech thee, O Lord, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood. So they take up Jonah and cast him into the sea, and the sea ceases from her raging. Then the men fear the Lord exceedingly, and offer a sacrifice and make vows. Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah is in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Jonah 2: Jonah's Prayer Then Jonah prays unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. He says he cried by reason of his affliction unto the Lord, and He heard him; out of the belly of hell he cried, and God heard his voice. He recounts how he was cast into the deep, in the midst of the seas, and the floods compassed him about. He said he was cast out of God's sight, yet he would look again toward His holy temple. The waters compassed him about, even to the soul; the depth closed him round about, and the weeds were wrapped about his head. He went down to the bottoms of the mountains, and the earth with her bars was about him for ever; yet, he says, God has brought up his life from corruption.

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