King James Version

What Does Jonah 4:11 Mean?

Jonah 4:11 in the King James Version says “And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern bet...” — study this verse from Jonah chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?”

Jonah 4:11 · KJV

Context

9

And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death. Doest: or, Art thou greatly angry? I do well: or, I am greatly angry

10

Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night , and perished in a night : had pity: or, spared came: Heb. was the son of the night

11

And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

Read Jonah 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle? The book's final verse and climactic question—va-ani lo achus al-Nineveh ha'ir haggedolah asher yesh-bah harbeh mishteim-esreh ribbo adam asher lo-yada bein-yemino lismolo uvehemah rabbah (וַאֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס עַל־נִינְוֵה הָעִיר הַגְּדוֹלָה אֲשֶׁר יֶשׁ־בָּהּ הַרְבֵּה מִשְׁתֵּים־עֶשְׂרֵה רִבּוֹ אָדָם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַע בֵּין־יְמִינוֹ לִשְׂמֹאלוֹ וּבְהֵמָה רַבָּה). God doesn't wait for Jonah's response but declares His sovereign prerogative to show mercy.

"Sixscore thousand" (120,000) "that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand" likely refers to young children morally innocent, though some interpret it as the whole population in spiritual ignorance. Either way, God's point stands: these are people He created, values, and will save if they repent. "Should not I spare" (ani lo achus) uses chus (חוּס), synonym of chasah from 4:10—God has right to show compassion on His creation. The question is rhetorical, expecting affirmative answer: "Yes, You absolutely should spare them!"

"And also much cattle" seems anticlimactic but demonstrates God's comprehensive concern. Even animals matter to their Creator (Proverbs 12:10, "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast"). The book ends abruptly—no recorded response from Jonah. This deliberate literary device forces readers into the story: How will you respond to God's mercy toward enemies? Will you rejoice in grace or, like Jonah, resent it? The gospel answers: God spared not His own Son (Romans 8:32) to save both Jews and Gentiles, making mercy available to all who repent. Jonah prefigures Christ but also Israel's failure; Christ is the faithful prophet who joyfully accomplishes redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nineveh's archaeological excavations confirm it was indeed a "great city"—inner walls enclosed 1,800 acres with population estimates from 120,000-175,000 (plus surrounding suburbs). The phrase "three days' journey" (3:3) may refer to circumference or total administrative district. The 120,000 children suggest total population significantly higher. Assyrian brutality is well-documented in their own inscriptions and confirmed by biblical accounts (2 Kings 17-19, Nahum). Yet God desired their repentance, demonstrating mercy extends even to violent oppressors—if they repent. Later Nahum prophesies Nineveh's destruction (fulfilled 612 BC) when they returned to wickedness, showing repentance must be sustained, not merely momentary.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's concern even for Nineveh's cattle demonstrate the comprehensive scope of His creative care and redemptive purposes?
  2. What does the book's open ending—no recorded response from Jonah—force us to consider about our own response to God's mercy?
  3. How should God's willingness to spare 120,000 Ninevites shape our evangelistic zeal and compassion for the lost, including our enemies?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַֽאֲנִי֙1 of 23
H589

i

לֹ֣א2 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָח֔וּס3 of 23

“And should not I spare”

H2347

properly, to cover, i.e., (figuratively) to compassionate

עַל4 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

נִינְוֵ֖ה5 of 23

“Nineveh”

H5210

nineveh, the capital of assyria

הָעִ֣יר6 of 23

“city”

H5892

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

הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה7 of 23

“that great”

H1419

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר8 of 23
H834

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

יֶשׁ9 of 23

“wherein are”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

בָּ֡הּ10 of 23
H0
הַרְבֵּה֩11 of 23

“more”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

מִֽשְׁתֵּים12 of 23

“than sixscore”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה13 of 23
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

רִבּ֜וֹ14 of 23

“thousand”

H7239

a myriad, i.e., indefinitely, large number

אָדָ֗ם15 of 23

“persons”

H120

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

אֲשֶׁ֤ר16 of 23
H834

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

לֹֽא17 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָדַע֙18 of 23

“that cannot discern”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בֵּין19 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

יְמִינ֣וֹ20 of 23

“between their right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

לִשְׂמֹאל֔וֹ21 of 23

“and their left hand”

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

וּבְהֵמָ֖ה22 of 23

“cattle”

H929

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

רַבָּֽה׃23 of 23

“and also much”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

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 4:11 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 4:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 18:33Luke 15:28-32Jonah 1:2Psalms 145:8-9Psalms 36:6Deuteronomy 1:39

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Jonah 4 →

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