Jonah 4:5

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Jonah {H3124} went out {H3318} of the city {H5892}, and sat {H3427} on the east side {H6924} of the city {H5892}, and there made {H6213} him a booth {H5521}, and sat {H3427} under it in the shadow {H6738}, till he might see {H7200} what would become of the city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yonah left the city and found a place east of the city, where he made himself a shelter and sat down under it, in its shade, to see what would happen to the city.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city.

American Standard Version

Then 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 shade, till he might see what would become of the city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 4:5 depicts the prophet Jonah's stubborn resolve and lingering hope for Nineveh's destruction, even after God had shown mercy to the repentant city. Having exited the city, Jonah constructs a temporary shelter on its eastern side, positioning himself to observe what he believes will be the city's eventual demise. This act underscores his profound displeasure with God's compassion and his personal desire to see his prophetic warning of judgment fulfilled, rather than rejoicing in the Ninevites' repentance and God's abundant grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows God's merciful decision to spare Nineveh and Jonah's subsequent, vehement complaint to God about His compassionate nature ([Jonah 4:1-4](/jonah/4-1-4 "Jonah's Complaint and God's Question")). Jonah's anger stems from his knowledge that God is "a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abundant in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster" ([Jonah 4:2](/jonah/4-2 "Jonah's Complaint About God's Mercy")). His departure from the city and construction of a booth is a physical manifestation of his emotional and theological disconnect from God's redemptive plan for Nineveh. It sets the stage for God's subsequent object lesson involving the plant, the worm, and the east wind ([Jonah 4:6-8](/jonah/4-6-8 "God's Object Lesson with the Plant")), which further highlights the disparity between Jonah's narrow perspective and God's expansive compassion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Nineveh was the capital of the powerful Assyrian Empire, a brutal and oppressive force that was a significant threat to Israel. For a Hebrew prophet like Jonah, the idea of God showing mercy to such a formidable enemy would have been deeply unsettling, perhaps even offensive, given the Assyrians' history of cruelty. The "east side of the city" would have offered a strategic vantage point, potentially overlooking the city and its surrounding plains, allowing Jonah to observe any divine intervention. The construction of a "booth" (Hebrew: _sukkah_) was a common practice for temporary shelter in the hot, arid climate of the ancient Near East, providing relief from the sun's intense heat. This detail emphasizes Jonah's intention to settle in for a prolonged vigil, stubbornly awaiting an outcome contrary to God's declared mercy.
* **Key Themes:** Jonah 4:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jonah. It starkly illustrates the **tension between human expectation and divine sovereignty**, as Jonah's desire for judgment clashes with God's prerogative to extend mercy. It highlights **Jonah's profound self-centeredness and spiritual immaturity**, revealing a prophet more concerned with his reputation and nationalistic prejudice than with the salvation of a vast population. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **breadth of God's compassion**, which extends even to those considered enemies, a theme that permeates the entire book and challenges the narrow understanding of God's love often held by His people. This divine compassion is a central message, contrasting sharply with Jonah's limited perspective, as seen throughout [the book of Jonah](/jonah/1 "The Book of Jonah - God's Compassion and a Prophet's Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **went out (Hebrew, _yâtsâʼ_):** A primitive root meaning to go out, indicating Jonah's physical departure from the city. This act signifies his deliberate withdrawal from the Ninevites and, metaphorically, from God's immediate work of grace within the city. It suggests a movement away from the sphere of God's active mercy towards a posture of detached observation.
* **sat (Hebrew, _yâshab_):** A primitive root meaning to sit down, implying dwelling or remaining. Here, it signifies Jonah's deliberate act of settling himself to observe. This word conveys a sense of intentionality and a fixed position, indicating Jonah's stubborn resolve to wait and see, rather than to participate in or embrace God's merciful actions.
* **booth (Hebrew, _çukkâh_):** A feminine noun referring to a hut or lair, a temporary shelter. This highlights the makeshift, impermanent nature of Jonah's dwelling, underscoring his expectation that his vigil would not be long-term, anticipating a swift divine judgment. It is a self-made provision for a self-willed purpose.
* **see (Hebrew, _râʼâh_):** A primitive root meaning to see, literally or figuratively, often implying observation, discernment, or even experiencing. Jonah's desire "to see what would become of the city" speaks to his anticipation of witnessing a specific outcome, namely Nineveh's destruction, revealing his hope for calamity rather than continued grace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Jonah went out of the city,"**: This phrase marks Jonah's physical separation from Nineveh, a symbolic act of his emotional and spiritual alienation from God's merciful dealings with the city. He removes himself from the sphere of God's grace, preferring to observe from a distance.
* **"and sat on the east side of the city,"**: Jonah strategically positions himself to gain a clear view of Nineveh. The "east side" would likely offer a good vantage point, potentially allowing him to witness any divine judgment that might fall upon the city, reinforcing his expectation of impending doom.
* **"and there made him a booth,"**: This action demonstrates Jonah's intent to stay for an extended period. The "booth" is a temporary, self-constructed shelter, suggesting his preparedness for a vigil, however long it might take for God to "change His mind" (from Jonah's perspective) and bring judgment.
* **"and sat under it in the shadow,"**: The provision of "shadow" indicates the practical need for protection from the harsh sun, but it also underscores the comfort Jonah sought while stubbornly waiting for a destructive outcome. It highlights his focus on his own physical comfort while harboring spiritual discomfort with God's mercy.
* **"till he might see what would become of the city."**: This culminating clause reveals Jonah's ultimate motivation. He is not waiting in hopeful anticipation of further grace, but rather in a grim expectation of witnessing Nineveh's destruction. It exposes his persistent desire for judgment, despite God's clear demonstration of compassion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as a prophet of God, whose calling is typically to proclaim salvation and repentance, is here depicted waiting for judgment and destruction. This contrasts sharply with God's own character, creating a profound tension. **Symbolism** is evident in the "booth" itself, which represents Jonah's temporary, self-imposed exile and his stubborn, isolated vigil, detached from the spiritual reality of Nineveh's repentance. The act of "sitting" and "seeing" also carries symbolic weight, portraying Jonah's passive yet expectant posture, waiting for a spectacle of divine wrath. Furthermore, the verse uses **Contrast** to highlight the vast difference between Jonah's narrow, nationalistic perspective and God's boundless, universal compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 4:5 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's sovereignty and mercy versus human limitations and prejudice. It challenges the reader to consider whether their own understanding of divine justice aligns with God's expansive grace. Jonah's desire for judgment on Nineveh, despite their repentance, exposes a common human tendency to limit God's compassion to those we deem worthy or to our own group. This verse underscores that God's mercy is not earned but freely given, and His plans often transcend human expectations and desires for retribution. It is a powerful reminder that God's heart is for all people, and His ultimate desire is for repentance and salvation, not destruction.

* [Psalm 145:8](/psalms/145-8 "The Lord is Gracious and Compassionate")
* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6-7 "The Lord's Self-Revelation of Mercy")
* [Romans 9:15-16](/romans/9-15-16 "God's Sovereign Choice and Mercy")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 4:5 offers a mirror for self-examination, challenging us to confront our own predispositions when God's actions do not align with our expectations or sense of justice. Like Jonah, we can become so entrenched in our perspectives, our perceived rights, or even our nationalistic or denominational biases, that we fail to rejoice in God's broader work of grace. This verse prompts us to ask: Do we truly desire God's mercy for all people, including those we consider "enemies" or "unworthy"? Are we more concerned with our own reputation or the fulfillment of our own predictions than with the expansion of God's kingdom through repentance and forgiveness? Our posture should be one of humble alignment with God's compassionate heart, celebrating His work of salvation wherever it occurs, rather than stubbornly waiting for judgment to confirm our own biases. It calls us to abandon our spiritual "booths" of isolation and embrace God's universal love.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or worldview do I find myself resistant to God's expansive mercy, similar to Jonah?**
* **Am I more concerned with my own sense of justice or reputation than with seeing God's grace extended to others, especially those I might deem undeserving?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that rejoices in God's compassion for all people, even when His ways differ from my expectations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jonah build a booth and wait outside the city?**

Answer: Jonah built a booth and waited outside Nineveh because he was deeply displeased with God's decision to spare the city after they repented. He had prophesied their destruction, and when God, in His boundless mercy, relented, Jonah's anger was so great that he wished for death ([Jonah 4:1-3](/jonah/4-1-3 "Jonah's Displeasure and Prayer")). His act of building a temporary shelter on the east side of the city was a stubborn act of defiance and a lingering hope that God might still bring judgment upon Nineveh. He wanted to observe, perhaps expecting a last-minute reversal of God's mercy, or a delayed judgment, rather than accepting the outcome of their repentance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jonah's stubborn vigil from his temporary booth, waiting for judgment to fall, stands in stark contrast to the ultimate revelation of God's character in Jesus Christ. While Jonah desired to see destruction, Christ came not to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "Jesus Came to Save the World")). Jonah's "booth" was a symbol of his alienated perspective, a self-made shelter from which to observe wrath. In contrast, Jesus, the Son of Man, had nowhere to lay His head ([Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head")), yet He became the ultimate "booth" or tabernacle of God's presence among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "The Word Became Flesh")). He willingly exposed Himself to the full wrath of God on the cross, not for the destruction of others, but so that all who believe might find eternal shelter and salvation. Jonah waited for judgment; Christ endured it, offering mercy and a new covenant where God's compassion is fully and finally revealed to all nations, fulfilling the very heart of God that Jonah struggled to embrace ([Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed to All Nations")).

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

1 Kings 19:13

And it was [so], when Elijah heard [it], that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, [there came] a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

1 Kings 19:9

¶ And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD [came] to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Isaiah 57:17

¶ For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

Jeremiah 17:15

Behold, they say unto me, Where [is] the word of the LORD? let it come now.

Jeremiah 17:16

As for me, I have not hastened from [being] a pastor to follow thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was [right] before thee.

Genesis 19:27

¶ And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

Genesis 19:28

And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.