Jonah 3:5

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So the people {H582} of Nineveh {H5210} believed {H539} God {H430}, and proclaimed {H7121} a fast {H6685}, and put {H3847} on sackcloth {H8242}, from the greatest {H1419} of them even to the least {H6996} of them.

Complete Jewish Bible

when the people of Ninveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.

Berean Standard Bible

And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.

American Standard Version

And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 3:5 records the extraordinary and immediate response of the pagan city of Nineveh to the prophetic message delivered by Jonah. Following Jonah's stark warning of impending judgment, the entire populace, from the highest to the lowest, demonstrated profound belief in God, publicly proclaiming a city-wide fast and donning sackcloth as a collective act of humility and desperate repentance, setting the stage for God's merciful relenting.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows Jonah's reluctant but obedient proclamation in [Nineveh](/jonah/3-4 "Jonah 3:4 - Jonah's Prophecy to Nineveh"), where he declared, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown." Having been miraculously delivered from the belly of a great fish after his initial disobedience ([Jonah 1:17-2:10](/jonah/1-17-2-10 "Jonah's Ordeal and Prayer")), Jonah finally fulfills his divine commission. The brevity and seemingly unpersuasive nature of Jonah's sermon, combined with his personal struggles and the Ninevites' notorious wickedness, make their swift and universal response in [Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Repentance") all the more astonishing. This verse marks the turning point in the narrative, shifting from Jonah's personal journey to God's interaction with the gentile world.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nineveh was the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire, a nation renowned for its military might, cruelty, and idolatry. The Assyrians were a significant threat to Israel, and their wickedness was well-known. In the ancient Near East, acts like proclaiming a fast and wearing sackcloth were common, deeply symbolic expressions of communal grief, humility, and earnest supplication in times of great distress or impending disaster. Fasting involved abstaining from food to focus on spiritual matters and demonstrate sincerity, while sackcloth, a coarse, dark fabric, often accompanied by sitting in ashes, was a visible sign of mourning, self-abasement, and a plea for divine mercy. The universality of this response, "from the greatest of them even to the least of them," indicates a profound cultural understanding of these penitential rites and their widespread adoption across all social strata, including the king himself as seen in [Jonah 3:6](/jonah/3-6 "Jonah 3:6 - The King of Nineveh's Decree").
* **Key Themes:** [Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Repentance") powerfully illustrates several core themes within the book of Jonah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **immediate belief and faith** of the Ninevites, demonstrating that genuine acceptance of God's word is evidenced by tangible action. Their belief was not mere intellectual assent but a profound trust and reliance on the God of Israel, leading to a turning from their wicked ways. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **corporate repentance**, a city-wide turning to God that encompassed every individual, from the king to the common citizen ([Jonah 3:6-9](/jonah/3-6-9 "Jonah 3:6-9 - Nineveh's King and People Repent")). This collective humility and plea for mercy stands in stark contrast to the hardened hearts often found in Israel. Finally, it profoundly showcases **God's sovereign power** and universal mercy, proving that His call to repentance extends beyond Israel to all nations, and that no one is beyond the reach of His transformative grace, even through an imperfect messenger like Jonah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **believed (Hebrew, _ʼâman'_):** This primitive root signifies more than mere intellectual assent; it conveys the idea of building up, supporting, being firm or faithful, trusting, and being permanent or quiet. It is the root from which "Amen" derives, implying certainty and truth. In the context of [Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Belief in God"), it describes a deep, foundational trust and reliance on God's word, leading to a firm conviction that His warning was true and His character worthy of their faith.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural form, often used with the article to refer to the supreme God, is here applied to the God of Israel. It denotes the divine, mighty, and sovereign being. The Ninevites, polytheists by culture, recognized the power and authority of the God proclaimed by Jonah, acknowledging Him as the true and ultimate deity with the power to execute judgment or grant mercy.
* **sackcloth (Hebrew, _saq'_):** Derived from a root meaning "mesh" or "coarse loose cloth," sackcloth was a rough, dark fabric typically made from goat's hair. It was worn as a visible, tangible symbol of deep mourning, distress, humility, and repentance in the ancient world. Its adoption by the entire city of Nineveh in [Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Act of Repentance") underscored the sincerity and universality of their corporate lament and plea for divine favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So the people of Nineveh believed God":** This opening clause highlights the immediate and profound impact of Jonah's message. Despite their pagan background and the brevity of the sermon, the Ninevites' hearts were supernaturally opened to accept the truth of God's warning. Their "belief" was not a casual intellectual acknowledgment but a deep conviction and trust in the divine word spoken through Jonah, demonstrating a genuine turning towards the God of Israel.
* **"and proclaimed a fast":** As a direct consequence and visible evidence of their belief, the Ninevites initiated a city-wide fast. This was a public, corporate act of self-denial, abstaining from food and drink, intended to humble themselves before God, express their earnestness, and focus their attention on spiritual matters and their desperate plea for mercy. It signified their deep sorrow for their sins and their urgent desire for divine intervention.
* **"and put on sackcloth":** Complementing the fast, the donning of sackcloth was another powerful, universally recognized symbol of repentance and mourning in the ancient Near East. This coarse, uncomfortable garment visually expressed their humility, grief over their wickedness, and their abject submission to God's authority. It was a tangible, outward manifestation of their inward conviction and sorrow.
* **"from the greatest of them even to the least of them":** This phrase emphasizes the unprecedented scope and universality of Nineveh's repentance. It signifies that this movement was not confined to a specific social class, religious elite, or political faction, but permeated every level of society. From the king and his nobles to the common citizens, and even their animals as later described in [Jonah 3:7](/jonah/3-7 "Jonah 3:7 - The King's Decree for All to Fast"), everyone participated, indicating a truly comprehensive and unified act of turning to God.

#### Literary Devices
[Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Repentance") employs several potent literary devices to underscore the dramatic nature of Nineveh's response. The phrase "from the greatest of them even to the least of them" is a clear example of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the complete and universal participation of the entire city, extending beyond literal human hierarchy to encompass every individual. **Symbolism** is powerfully at play with the "proclamation of a fast" and the donning of "sackcloth." These acts are not merely customs but deeply symbolic expressions of inward contrition, humility, and a desperate plea for divine mercy. The entire narrative of Jonah, culminating in this verse, also presents a profound **Contrast** between Jonah's initial reluctance and the Ninevites' immediate and wholehearted repentance, highlighting God's sovereign ability to work through imperfect vessels and to transform the most hardened hearts. The unexpectedness of Nineveh's response, given their reputation and Jonah's brief message, also injects a subtle element of **Irony**, where the pagan city responds more readily to God's word than many within Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The instantaneous and universal repentance of Nineveh in [Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Repentance") stands as a profound testament to God's sovereign power, His boundless mercy, and His universal desire for all humanity to turn from sin and find salvation. It reveals that God's grace is not limited by human expectations, national boundaries, or even the wickedness of a people. This event demonstrates that genuine belief in God's word leads to tangible acts of repentance, and that such humility can move the heart of God to relent from declared judgment. It underscores the biblical truth that God is "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents from sending disaster" ([Joel 2:13](/joel/2-13 "Joel 2:13 - Return to the Lord with All Your Heart")). The Ninevites' response also serves as a powerful illustration of the effectiveness of God's Word, even when delivered by an imperfect messenger, and foreshadows the broader scope of God's redemptive plan for all nations.

* [Matthew 12:41](/matthew/12-41 "Matthew 12:41 - Jesus' Condemnation of Unbelief")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion and Justice")
* [Luke 13:3](/luke/13-3 "Luke 13:3 - Repent or Perish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Repentance") offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today. Firstly, it serves as a powerful reminder of God's universal and boundless mercy. No individual or community is beyond the reach of His grace, regardless of their past sins or current reputation. Just as God extended His call to the notoriously wicked Ninevites, He extends it to all people, demonstrating His desire for all to come to repentance and knowledge of the truth. Secondly, the verse highlights the transformative power of God's Word. Even a simple, direct message, when empowered by the Holy Spirit, can pierce the hardest of hearts and bring about radical change. This encourages us to faithfully proclaim the gospel, trusting in God's power rather than our own eloquence. Finally, the Ninevites' response provides a clear model of genuine repentance: it is an internal conviction that manifests in visible, tangible acts of humility, sorrow for sin, and a turning away from wickedness. True belief leads to action, and God is always ready to relent from judgment when people turn to Him with sincere hearts, offering immense hope for personal and communal transformation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does the Ninevites' immediate and universal response teach us about the power of God's Word, even when delivered by an imperfect messenger?**
* **How does the Ninevites' corporate repentance challenge our understanding of individual versus communal responsibility for sin?**
* **What tangible actions in our own lives or communities might serve as genuine expressions of repentance and humility before God?**

### FAQ

**How could the Ninevites, a pagan people, "believe God" so quickly and universally?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly detail the means, but several factors likely contributed. Firstly, the sheer supernatural nature of Jonah's arrival (perhaps word of his ordeal with the great fish preceded him, or his appearance was unusual) may have lent credibility to his message. Secondly, the message itself, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown," was a direct, unambiguous divine warning, likely tapping into a universal human understanding of divine judgment and the need for appeasement common in ancient cultures. The God of Israel, while distinct, was perceived as a powerful deity. Most importantly, the text implies a sovereign work of God's Spirit upon their hearts, enabling them to receive the message and respond with genuine faith. Their belief was evidenced by their immediate and widespread acts of repentance, demonstrating that God can move in powerful and unexpected ways, even among those who do not yet fully know Him. This divine initiative is echoed in [John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him").

**Was the Ninevites' repentance genuine, given their subsequent history?**

Answer: The biblical text in [Jonah 3:10](/jonah/3-10 "Jonah 3:10 - God Relents from Disaster") clearly states that "God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not." This indicates that, at that specific time, their repentance was genuine in God's sight, leading Him to withhold the threatened judgment. The book of Jonah focuses on this particular moment of their history and God's mercy. While later historical accounts indicate that Nineveh eventually reverted to its wicked ways and was ultimately destroyed (as prophesied by Nahum and Zephaniah), this does not negate the sincerity or effectiveness of their repentance in Jonah's time. It highlights the ongoing human struggle with sin and the need for continued faithfulness, but it does not diminish the profound spiritual reality of their initial turning to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The repentance of Nineveh in [Jonah 3:5](/jonah/3-5 "Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh's Repentance") serves as a powerful prefigurement of the universal call to repentance found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as the Ninevites repented at the preaching of Jonah, a mere prophet, Jesus Himself declared that "a greater than Jonah is here" ([Matthew 12:41](/matthew/12-41 "Matthew 12:41 - Jesus, Greater Than Jonah")). Jonah's message of judgment and call to repentance, though brief, was sufficient because God's Spirit worked in the hearts of the Ninevites. In Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment of this divine intervention. His life, death, and resurrection constitute the ultimate message of both judgment for sin and salvation for those who believe. The Ninevites' external acts of fasting and sackcloth, while significant, pointed to a need for internal transformation that is fully realized through faith in Jesus. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ provides the means for true, lasting repentance and forgiveness of sins ([Acts 2:38](/acts/2-38 "Acts 2:38 - Repentance and Baptism for Forgiveness")). The Ninevites' story foreshadows the breaking down of barriers between Jew and Gentile, demonstrating God's desire for all nations to be reconciled to Himself through the redemptive work of His Son, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([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

Luke 11:32

The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.

Matthew 12:41

The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here.

Daniel 9:3

And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

Joel 2:12

¶ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Joel 2:17

Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where [is] their God?

Joel 1:14

¶ Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders [and] all the inhabitants of the land [into] the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,

2 Chronicles 20:3

And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.