King James Version

What Does Jonah 4:5 Mean?

“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.”

Context

Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry? Doest: or, Art thou greatly angry?

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.

And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. gourd: or, palmcrist: Heb. Kikajon was: Heb. rejoiced with great joy

But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **So Jonah went out.**—The explanation given in the preceding note avoids the necessity of giving the verb in this clause a pluperfect force, which else would be necessary to account for the prophet’s continued expectation of the destruction of Nineveh after his irritation at the Divine clemency towards it. **Booth**—*i.e.,* of boughs, like those used at the Feast of Tabernacles. (See next Note.)

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 4:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.