King James Version
Jonah 3:5 in the King James Version says “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to th...” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.”
Jonah 3:5 · KJV
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
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.
So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.
For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.
And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: published: Heb. said nobles: Heb. great men
KJV Study — Public Domain
“believed”
H539properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
“God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“and proclaimed”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
“and put”
H3847properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively
“on sackcloth”
H8242properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
“of them even to the least”
H6996abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
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.
Jonah 3:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
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