Jonah 1:2

KJV

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

KJV (with Strong's)

Arise {H6965}, go {H3212} to Nineveh {H5210}, that great {H1419} city {H5892}, and cry {H7121} against it; for their wickedness {H7451} is come up {H5927} before {H6440} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Set out for the great city of Ninveh, and proclaim to it that their wickedness has come to my attention."

Berean Standard Bible

“Get up! Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me.”

American Standard Version

Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 1:2 initiates the prophetic book by recording God's direct command to Jonah: "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." This verse establishes the divine imperative for Jonah's mission, identifying the formidable target city and articulating the profound reason for God's impending judgment – the pervasive and accumulated wickedness of its inhabitants, which has reached a point requiring divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the opening statement in [Jonah 1:1](/jonah/1-1 "Jonah 1:1 - The Word of the Lord to Jonah"), which introduces Jonah as the son of Amittai and establishes the divine origin of the message. Jonah 1:2 is the pivotal divine commission that sets the entire narrative in motion. It presents a clear, non-negotiable command from God, directly preceding Jonah's infamous act of disobedience in [Jonah 1:3](/jonah/1-3 "Jonah 1:3 - Jonah's Disobedience"), where he attempts to flee from the Lord's presence. The abruptness of the command and the specific, challenging nature of the task immediately establish the central conflict of the book: God's sovereign will versus human reluctance and prejudice.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to go to Nineveh places the narrative firmly in the 8th century BC, during the reign of Jeroboam II in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, a period when Jonah was an active prophet (cf. [2 Kings 14:25](/2_kings/14-25 "2 Kings 14:25 - Jonah's Prophecy about Israel's Borders")). Nineveh was the sprawling capital of the Assyrian Empire, a formidable and notoriously cruel superpower that posed a significant threat to Israel. Assyria was known for its brutal military campaigns, forced deportations, and oppressive rule, making them a deeply feared and hated enemy of the Israelites. For an Israelite prophet like Jonah to be commanded to preach repentance to such a nation would have been not only dangerous but also deeply unpalatable, challenging his nationalistic sentiments and expectations of divine justice against Israel's oppressors.

* **Key Themes:** [Jonah 1:2](/jonah/1-2 "Jonah 1:2 - God's Command to Jonah") introduces several foundational themes that resonate throughout the book of Jonah and beyond. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, as God actively intervenes in human affairs and issues a direct command, demonstrating His control over nations, even those hostile to His chosen people, as seen in the broader prophetic tradition where God raises up and casts down empires (e.g., [Isaiah 10:5-19](/isaiah/10-5-19 "Isaiah 10:5-19 - God's Use of Assyria")). Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Universal Concern and Justice**, revealing that His moral authority and redemptive purposes extend beyond the covenant nation of Israel to encompass all humanity, including a pagan city like Nineveh, a theme echoed in the New Testament's emphasis on the gospel for all nations (e.g., [Matthew 28:19](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission")). Thirdly, the phrase "their wickedness is come up before me" introduces the theme of **Sin and Impending Judgment**, indicating that Nineveh's accumulated moral corruption has reached a point demanding divine reckoning, a concept consistent with God's response to rampant sin in other narratives like the account of Sodom and Gomorrah in [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "Genesis 18:20-21 - The Cry of Sodom and Gomorrah")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** A primitive root meaning to rise, stand up, or establish. In this imperative command, "Arise" conveys urgency and a call to immediate, decisive action. It is not merely a suggestion but a divine summons for Jonah to move from his current state of inactivity or preparation to active obedience and engagement with the mission.
* **great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This adjective, derived from a root meaning "to be great," describes Nineveh's immense size, importance, and perhaps even its notoriety or formidable nature. It highlights the significant scale of the city, making the task of prophesying against it particularly daunting and emphasizing the magnitude of the wickedness that has emanated from such a prominent center.
* **wickedness (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** This term encompasses evil, badness, calamity, or mischief, referring to profound moral depravity. In the context of Nineveh, it signifies the pervasive corruption, violence, and unrighteousness that characterized the city and its empire, which has now reached a critical mass, demanding God's direct attention and intervention.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city":** This clause presents a direct, three-fold divine imperative. "Arise" (qûwm) signifies an immediate call to action, demanding a change of posture and readiness. "Go" (yâlak) specifies the movement and direction, indicating a journey. The destination, "Nineveh," is explicitly named, emphasizing the specificity of God's target. The description "that great city" highlights its prominence, size, and perhaps its formidable nature, underscoring the challenge and significance of the prophetic mission.
* **"and cry against it":** This is the core command regarding the nature of Jonah's mission. "Cry" (qârâʼ) implies a public, forceful, and authoritative proclamation, not a quiet or private message. It is a prophetic utterance of judgment, a confrontational declaration against the city, indicating that the message will be one of warning and condemnation.
* **"for their wickedness is come up before me":** This final clause provides the divine justification and motivation for the entire command. "Their wickedness" refers to the accumulated moral evil and depravity of Nineveh. The anthropomorphic phrase "is come up before me" signifies that their sin has ascended to God's presence, becoming fully known and acknowledged by Him, reaching a point where it demands a divine response and intervention. It implies that the measure of their iniquity is full.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The predominant use of the **Imperative Mood** ("Arise," "go," "cry") underscores the absolute authority of God and the non-negotiable nature of His command to Jonah, immediately establishing the divine will as the driving force of the narrative. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "their wickedness is come up before me," attributing human-like perception and presence to God, as if sin physically ascends to His sight. This device vividly communicates God's full awareness and the gravity of Nineveh's transgressions, making the abstract concept of sin tangible and its impact on the divine realm clear. Furthermore, the description of Nineveh as "that **great** city" functions as a form of **Emphasis** or perhaps even a subtle **Hyperbole**, highlighting not only its immense physical size and political power but also the magnitude of its wickedness, thereby magnifying the challenge posed to Jonah and the significance of God's universal concern.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 1:2 profoundly reveals God's active engagement with the moral state of humanity beyond the boundaries of Israel. It asserts His universal sovereignty, demonstrating that His justice and concern are not confined to His covenant people but extend to all nations, even those considered enemies. The "wickedness" of Nineveh is not overlooked; it is precisely because of this pervasive evil that God initiates a prophetic intervention, underscoring His character as a righteous judge who holds all peoples accountable. Yet, this judgment is prefaced by a call to repentance, hinting at God's ultimate desire for all to turn from their destructive paths, a testament to His boundless mercy that will be fully unveiled later in the book. This divine initiative also sets the stage for the profound theological tension between God's universal compassion and Jonah's narrow, nationalistic prejudice.

* [Genesis 18:20-21](/genesis/18-20-21 "Genesis 18:20-21 - The Cry of Sodom and Gomorrah")
* [Amos 1:3-2:16](/amos/1-3-2-16 "Amos 1:3-2:16 - Oracles Against the Nations")
* [Romans 1:18](/romans/1-18 "Romans 1:18 - God's Wrath Against Sin")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 1:2 serves as a timeless reminder that God sees and is fully aware of all sin, whether in the grand scale of nations or the quiet corners of individual lives. It challenges us to confront our own comfort zones and prejudices, as God often calls His people to uncomfortable or challenging tasks – to go to difficult places or speak hard truths, even to those we might consider adversaries or "unworthy." Our obedience to God's call, regardless of our personal feelings toward the recipients or the perceived difficulty of the mission, is paramount. This verse implicitly raises the critical question of our willingness to step outside our immediate communities and personal preferences for God's purposes, recognizing that His concern for repentance and salvation extends far beyond our familiar circles. It compels us to consider where God might be calling us to "cry against" injustice or proclaim His truth, even when it feels daunting or unwelcome.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we respond when God calls us to uncomfortable or challenging tasks that go against our personal preferences or prejudices?**
* **What "Ninevehs" (places, people groups, or situations we might be inclined to avoid or judge) is God calling us to engage with today, and how might we overcome our reluctance?**
* **How does understanding God's full awareness of Nineveh's wickedness inform our view of His justice and mercy in the world today, especially concerning pervasive societal evils?**

### FAQ
**Why was Nineveh considered "that great city"?**

Answer: Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, a dominant and feared power in the ancient Near East during the 8th century BC. Its "greatness" referred not only to its immense physical size (archaeological evidence suggests it was indeed a sprawling metropolis) but also to its political, military, and economic importance. It was a center of imperial power, known for its formidable defenses, vast wealth, and, unfortunately, its reputation for extreme cruelty and violence in warfare and governance. This made the task of prophesying against it particularly significant and dangerous for Jonah.

**What does "their wickedness is come up before me" mean?**

Answer: This phrase is an anthropomorphic expression, attributing human-like perception and presence to God. It does not imply that God was previously unaware of Nineveh's sins, but rather that their accumulated moral corruption, violence, and injustice had reached a critical point, a "full measure," in God's sight. It signifies that their actions had become so egregious and pervasive that they demanded divine attention and a consequential response, making intervention necessary. It's a vivid way of saying that their sin was ripe for judgment.

**Why would God send an Israelite prophet to an enemy nation like Nineveh?**

Answer: God's decision to send Jonah to Nineveh highlights His universal sovereignty and His concern for all humanity, not just the nation of Israel. It demonstrates that God's moral authority and redemptive purposes extend beyond His chosen people. While Israel was His covenant nation, God's justice and mercy are not limited by national or ethnic boundaries. This act foreshadows the broader scope of God's redemptive plan, which ultimately includes the Gentiles, and underscores His desire for all people to repent and turn to Him, even those who were enemies of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah's reluctant mission to Nineveh, prompted by God's awareness of their "wickedness," finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While Jonah was sent to a single city with a message of impending judgment that could be averted by repentance, Jesus, the greater Prophet, came to the entire world with a message of salvation through His atoning work. Jesus Himself draws a direct parallel, stating that "the men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here" ([Matthew 12:41](/matthew/12-41 "Matthew 12:41 - The Men of Nineveh will condemn this generation")). This highlights Jesus' unparalleled authority and the superior nature of His message. Unlike Jonah, who initially fled from his mission, Jesus willingly embraced His divine commission, even to the point of death on the cross, to address the ultimate "wickedness" of humanity – sin itself. The repentance of Nineveh foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God's family, a reality fully realized through Christ's universal call to repentance and faith, preached "to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem" ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and forgiveness for all nations")). Thus, Jonah 1:2, with its divine imperative to confront global sin, ultimately points to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, inviting all to come to Him for salvation ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 10:11

Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,

Nahum 1:1

¶ The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

Isaiah 58:1

¶ Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

Genesis 18:20

And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

Genesis 18:21

I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

Jonah 4:11

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?

Jonah 3:2

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