King James Version

What Does Jonah 3:2 Mean?

Jonah 3:2 in the King James Version says “Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.”

Jonah 3:2 · KJV

Context

1

And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

2

Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.

3

So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey. exceeding: Heb. of God

4

And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

Read Jonah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God repeats the command with slight variation: "Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee." The Hebrew qum lekh el-Nineveh ha'ir haggedolah uqera eleyha et-haqeri'ah asher anokhi dover eleyka (קוּם לֵךְ אֶל־נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה וּקְרָא אֵלֶיהָ אֶת־הַקְּרִיאָה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי דֹבֵר אֵלֶיךָ) differs from 1:2 in subtle but important ways.

The preposition shifts from "cry against it" (qera aleyha, 1:2) to "preach unto it" (qera eleyha). The change from al (against) to el (unto/to) may soften the tone, emphasizing proclamation rather than condemnation. Yet the message itself (3:4) remains stark: "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown."

"The preaching that I bid thee" (et-haqeri'ah asher anokhi dover eleyka) emphasizes that Jonah must deliver God's message, not his own. The noun qeri'ah (קְרִיאָה) means proclamation, message, or preaching. The relative clause "that I bid thee" establishes divine authority—Jonah is messenger, not author. This principle governs all biblical preaching: ministers declare God's word, not human wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 2 Timothy 4:2).

The phrase "that great city" (ha'ir haggedolah) appears again, reminding readers of Nineveh's significance. God's concern extends beyond Israel to pagan cities with hundreds of thousands of inhabitants. This anticipates the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) where Christ commands making disciples of "all nations" (panta ta ethne). The gospel isn't for one ethnic group but for all peoples.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jonah son of Amittai prophesied during the reign of Jeroboam II of Israel (2 Kings 14:25), around 780-760 BC. God commanded him to preach repentance to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria—the brutal empire that would later destroy Israel (722 BC). Assyrian kings were notorious for extreme cruelty, boasting in their inscriptions about impalement, flaying, and mass deportations. For an Israelite prophet, preaching salvation to Assyria was like asking a Holocaust survivor to evangelize Nazi Germany. Jonah's flight to Tarshish (opposite direction) reveals both ethnic prejudice and theological confusion about God's mercy extending to pagan nations. When Nineveh repented and God relented, Jonah became angry, preferring their destruction. The book concludes with God's gentle rebuke, revealing His compassion for all people.

The book of Jonah stands as a rebuke to narrow nationalism and an anticipation of the gospel's universal scope. Jesus referenced Jonah's three days in the fish as a sign of His death and resurrection, while condemning His generation for not repenting like Nineveh did (Matthew 12:39-41). The early church struggled with the same prejudice Jonah displayed when Gentiles began believing in Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jonah 3:2 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
ק֛וּם1 of 14

“Arise”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לֵ֥ךְ2 of 14
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אֶל3 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נִֽינְוֵ֖ה4 of 14

“unto Nineveh”

H5210

nineveh, the capital of assyria

הָעִ֣יר5 of 14

“city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה6 of 14

“that great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וִּקְרָ֤א7 of 14

“and preach”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙8 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת9 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַקְּרִיאָ֔ה10 of 14

“unto it the preaching”

H7150

a proclamation

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 14
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָנֹכִ֖י12 of 14
H595

i

דֹּבֵ֥ר13 of 14

“that I bid”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃14 of 14
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jonah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jonah 3:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jonah 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 1:17Ezekiel 2:7Jonah 3:3Jonah 1:2Matthew 3:8Zephaniah 2:13-15

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Jonah 3 →

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