Jonah 3:8

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that [is] in their hands.

But let man {H120} and beast {H929} be covered {H3680} with sackcloth {H8242}, and cry {H7121} mightily {H2394} unto God {H430}: yea, let them turn {H7725} every one {H376} from his evil {H7451} way {H1870}, and from the violence {H2555} that is in their hands {H3709}.

They must be covered with sackcloth, both people and animals; and they are to cry out to God with all their might - let each of them turn from his evil way and from the violence they practice.

Furthermore, let both man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and have everyone call out earnestly to God. Let each one turn from his evil ways and from the violence in his hands.

but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and beast, and let them cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.

Context of Jonah 3:8

Jonah 3:8 is part of the remarkable decree issued by the King of Nineveh after Jonah finally delivered God's stark warning of impending destruction. Following Jonah's brief but powerful message, the people of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, believed God and immediately initiated a city-wide fast and demonstration of repentance (Jonah 3:5). The king himself rose from his throne, laid aside his robes, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes (Jonah 3:6). This verse details the specific actions commanded by the king to express their profound contrition and earnest plea for divine mercy.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Corporate Repentance: The decree extends the call for repentance to "man and beast," highlighting the extreme and comprehensive nature of their sorrow and their desire for God's favor. While animals cannot truly repent, their inclusion in the fasting and sackcloth emphasized the city's utter desperation and the king's fervent hope that God would notice their collective humility.
  • Sincerity and Action: True repentance is not merely an internal feeling but is accompanied by outward actions and a commitment to change. Covering with sackcloth and crying mightily unto God were traditional signs of mourning, humility, and earnest prayer.
  • Turning from Evil: The core of their repentance is articulated as "turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands." This signifies a radical turning away from their evil ways and oppressive practices, which were characteristic of the Assyrian empire. It speaks to a genuine change of heart and behavior.
  • Hope in God's Mercy: The actions prescribed in this verse are driven by the hope that God might relent from His threatened judgment, a hope often found in passages like Joel 2:13, where God's compassionate nature is emphasized.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "turn" is shuv (שׁוּב), which is a foundational concept in the Old Testament for repentance. It means to literally "turn back" or "return" – implying a turning away from sin and a turning toward God. The word for "violence" is hamas (חָמָס), which denotes injustice, cruelty, and lawless aggression. Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was infamous for its brutal military campaigns and treatment of captives, making the call to abandon hamas particularly significant.

Practical Application

Jonah 3:8 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Genuine Repentance: It underscores that true repentance involves both inward sorrow and a visible commitment to forsake sin and turn towards righteous living. It's not just about words, but about changed behavior.
  • The Power of Prayer: The command to "cry mightily unto God" highlights the importance of earnest, fervent prayer in seeking God's mercy and intervention.
  • God's Readiness to Forgive: The Ninevites' radical response demonstrates that God is willing to extend grace and forgive when people genuinely humble themselves and turn from their sins, even when their wickedness is great (Jonah 3:10).
  • Corporate Responsibility: While salvation is individual, this verse shows the powerful impact of collective spiritual awakening and the responsibility of leaders to call their people to righteousness.
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.

  • Isaiah 55:6

    ¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

  • Isaiah 55:7

    Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

  • Jonah 1:6

    So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

  • Ezekiel 18:21

    ¶ But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

  • Ezekiel 18:24

    But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, [and] doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked [man] doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

  • Isaiah 1:16

    ¶ Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;

  • Isaiah 1:19

    If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

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