Jonah 3:1

¶ And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

And the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} came unto Jonah {H3124} the second {H8145} time, saying {H559},

The word of ADONAI came to Yonah a second time:

Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:

And the word of Jehovah came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

Jonah 3:1 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Jonah, signifying a fresh start after the prophet's disobedience and subsequent divine intervention. This verse directly follows Jonah's miraculous deliverance from the great fish in Jonah 2:10, where he was vomited out onto dry land.

Context

The prophet Jonah had previously received a clear command from the Lord to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, and preach against its wickedness (Jonah 1:2). However, he notoriously fled in the opposite direction, attempting to escape God's presence and mission. His journey led to a storm, being cast overboard, and three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. This verse shows that despite Jonah's flagrant disobedience and subsequent divine discipline, God's purpose for him and for Nineveh remained unchanged. It sets the stage for Jonah's renewed call to fulfill his prophetic duty.

Key Themes

  • God's Patience and Second Chances: The most striking theme is God's incredible grace and willingness to give Jonah a second opportunity. Despite Jonah's previous rebellion, the Lord does not abandon His chosen instrument but graciously reiterates His original command. This demonstrates God's persistent love and commitment to His plans, even when His servants falter.
  • Divine Persistence and Unchanging Purpose: This verse underscores that God's will ultimately prevails. He does not change His mind about His mission for Jonah or His desire to offer repentance to Nineveh. God's call is not revoked because of human failure; rather, He works to bring His servants back into alignment with His divine plan.
  • Restoration After Repentance: Following Jonah's prayer of repentance from the fish's belly (Jonah 2:1-9), God fully restores him to his prophetic office. This highlights the redemptive nature of God, who offers forgiveness and a fresh start to those who turn back to Him.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time" is significant. In Hebrew, "the word of the LORD" (davar YHWH) often denotes a direct, authoritative, and unmistakable divine revelation. The addition of "the second time" (shenit) emphasizes God's steadfastness and gracious initiative in re-commissioning Jonah. It's not a new message, but a repetition of the original call, affirming that God's purposes are unwavering and His grace is sufficient for human failings.

Practical Application

Jonah 3:1 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of second chances and boundless mercy. Even when we stumble, disobey, or fail in our spiritual duties, God's grace is available to restore us. Our past mistakes do not necessarily disqualify us from God's future plans. This verse encourages us to respond to God's call with renewed obedience, trusting in His faithfulness to equip and empower us for the tasks He has set before us, just as He did for Jonah.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jonah 1:1

    ¶ Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

  • John 21:15

    ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

  • John 21:17

    He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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