Old Testament

Jonah 4:5

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

At a Glance

In Jonah 4:5, Jonah leaves the city of Nineveh after delivering God's message of impending judgment.

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

CBTClear Bible Translation

Jonah left the city and sat down on its east side. He built himself a small shelter and sat in its shade, waiting to see what would happen to Nineveh.

KJVKing James Version

So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.

Verse Analysis

Plain-English insight for readers

In Jonah 4:5, Jonah leaves the city of Nineveh after delivering God's message of impending judgment. He goes to the east side of the city and constructs a small shelter, or booth, to sit under its shade. Jonah is waiting to see what will happen to Nineveh, hoping perhaps for its destruction despite the city's repentance. This moment highlights Jonah's internal struggle and his desire for God to act in a way that aligns with his own expectations. Instead of celebrating the city's change of heart, Jonah is anxious and discontent, illustrating his reluctance to accept God's mercy towards those he views as undeserving. This scene sets the stage for God's lesson to Jonah about compassion and the value of every life, regardless of past actions.

Key themes

Related Bible verses

How to apply Jonah 4:5 to your life

This verse encourages us to reflect on our own attitudes towards others, especially those we may consider undeserving of grace. It challenges us to embrace God's mercy and to celebrate the transformation in others rather than harboring resentment or disappointment when they receive forgiveness.

Curated for this public verse page. Jonah Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Jonah 4:5 mean?

Jonah 4:5 describes Jonah's actions after delivering God's message to Nineveh. He leaves the city, builds a shelter on the east side, and waits to see if God will destroy the city, reflecting his disappointment with God's mercy towards the repentant people.

What is the significance of Jonah building a shelter in Jonah 4:5?

Jonah building a shelter signifies his desire for comfort while he waits to see the fate of Nineveh. It also highlights his emotional state, as he seeks shade from the sun while grappling with his feelings about God's forgiveness.

Why did Jonah sit on the east side of the city in Jonah 4:5?

Jonah sat on the east side of Nineveh to observe the city and see what would happen after he delivered God's warning. This location allowed him a vantage point to witness any potential destruction.

What does Jonah's waiting in Jonah 4:5 reveal about his character?

Jonah's waiting reveals his reluctance to accept God's mercy and his hope for Nineveh's destruction. It shows his internal conflict and disappointment with God's compassion towards those he deemed unworthy.

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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