King James Version

What Does Jonah 3:7 Mean?

Jonah 3:7 in the King James Version says “And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let ne... — study this verse from Jonah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Jonah 3:7 · KJV


Context

5

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.

6

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.

7

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

8

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.

9

Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. The king's personal repentance becomes official policy. The Hebrew vayyaz'eq vayyomer beNineveh mitaam hammelekh ugdolav lemor ha'adam vehabehemah habaqar vehatzon al-yit'amu me'umah al-yir'u umayim al-yishtu (וַיַּזְעֵק וַיֹּאמֶר בְּנִינְוֵה מִטַּעַם הַמֶּלֶךְ וּגְדֹלָיו לֵאמֹר הָאָדָם וְהַבְּהֵמָה הַבָּקָר וְהַצֹּאן אַל־יִטְעֲמוּ מְאוּמָה אַל־יִרְעוּ וּמַיִם אַל־יִשְׁתּוּ) describes a comprehensive, mandated fast.

"By the decree of the king and his nobles" (mitaam hammelekh ugdolav) indicates this wasn't impulsive emotion but deliberate policy backed by royal authority. The word ta'am (טַעַם) means decree, command, or edict—official proclamation carrying legal force. The inclusion of "nobles" (gdolim, גְּדֹלִים) shows unified leadership support.

"Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing" (ha'adam vehabehemah habaqar vehatzon al-yit'amu me'umah) extends the fast even to animals. This may seem strange to modern readers, but it demonstrates totality—everything under Nineveh's authority participates in repentance. Animals are part of creation affected by human sin (Genesis 3:17-18, Romans 8:20-22) and included in covenantal contexts (Genesis 9:9-10, Exodus 20:10). Including animals in the fast intensifies the visual and auditory display of mourning—hungry cattle lowing, sheep bleating, creating a citywide sound of lamentation.

"Let them not feed, nor drink water" (al-yir'u umayim al-yishtu) describes total abstinence, not partial fasting. This demonstrates the urgency and desperation of their repentance—they're not merely going through motions but crying out with every available means.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient royal decrees carried absolute authority in Near Eastern kingdoms. Disobedience could mean death (as seen in Daniel 6:7-9 with Darius's decree). The inclusion of animals in religious rituals and fasts appears elsewhere in ancient practice—Herodotus mentions Persians cutting horses' manes during mourning, and other cultures involved animals in ceremonial contexts. The comprehensiveness of Nineveh's fast reveals their genuine terror of impending judgment and hope that extreme measures might avert catastrophe. Joel 1:14-20 similarly calls for solemn assemblies and fasting in response to locust plagues, with animals 'crying unto the LORD' (Joel 1:20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the comprehensiveness of Nineveh's decree (including animals) challenge half-hearted or selective repentance?
  2. What does government-mandated fasting teach about the role of civil authorities in promoting religious observance?
  3. How does total abstinence from food and water illustrate the seriousness of sin and judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּזְעֵ֗ק1 of 19

And he caused it to be proclaimed

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

לֵאמֹ֑ר2 of 19

and published

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בְּנִֽינְוֵ֔ה3 of 19

through Nineveh

H5210

nineveh, the capital of assyria

מִטַּ֧עַם4 of 19

by the decree

H2940

properly, a taste, i.e., (figuratively) perception; by implication, intelligence; transitively, a mandate

הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ5 of 19

of the king

H4428

a king

וּגְדֹלָ֖יו6 of 19

and his nobles

H1419

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

לֵאמֹ֑ר7 of 19

and published

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הָאָדָ֨ם8 of 19

Let neither man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה9 of 19

nor beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

הַבָּקָ֣ר10 of 19

herd

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וְהַצֹּ֗אן11 of 19

nor flock

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

אַֽל12 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִטְעֲמוּ֙13 of 19

taste

H2938

to taste; figuratively, to perceive

מְא֔וּמָה14 of 19

any thing

H3972

properly, a speck or point, i.e., (by implication) something; with negative, nothing

אַ֨ל15 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִרְע֔וּ16 of 19

let them not feed

H7462

to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie

וּמַ֖יִם17 of 19

water

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

אַל18 of 19
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִשְׁתּֽוּ׃19 of 19

nor drink

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)


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 3:7 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 3:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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