Jonah 4:7

KJV

But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

KJV (with Strong's)

But God {H430} prepared {H4487} a worm {H8438} when the morning {H7837} rose {H5927} the next day {H4283}, and it smote {H5221} the gourd {H7021} that it withered {H3001}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But at dawn the next day God prepared a worm, which attacked the castor-bean plant, so that it dried up.

Berean Standard Bible

When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered.

American Standard Version

But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd, that it withered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jonah 4:7 marks a crucial turning point in God's pedagogical interaction with Jonah, demonstrating divine sovereignty over creation and the transient nature of earthly comforts. Following Jonah's delight in the miraculously provided gourd, God orchestrates its swift demise by appointing a worm to attack it at dawn, causing it to wither. This deliberate act serves as a direct, tangible lesson designed to challenge Jonah's self-centered compassion and prepare him for a deeper understanding of God's boundless mercy, setting the stage for the climactic dialogue between the prophet and his Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Jonah 4:6](/jonah/4-6 "Jonah 4:6 - God Provides the Gourd"), where God miraculously provided a gourd plant to shade Jonah, bringing him "great joy." Jonah had previously expressed profound anger and displeasure at God's decision to spare Nineveh, contrary to his prophetic expectations for its destruction, even wishing for death ([Jonah 4:1-3](/jonah/4-1-3 "Jonah 4:1-3 - Jonah's Anger and Desire for Death")). He had built a booth outside the city, anticipating its downfall. The gourd became a source of personal comfort for Jonah, highlighting his self-focused concern over the well-being of a plant compared to his lack of empathy for the vast population of Nineveh. God's act of preparing the worm and causing the gourd to wither is a direct continuation of this divine object lesson, stripping away Jonah's comfort to confront his spiritual state, leading directly into the profound theological dialogue of [Jonah 4:8-11](/jonah/4-8-11 "Jonah 4:8-11 - God Rebukes Jonah's Compassion").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Jonah is set against the backdrop of the Assyrian Empire, specifically its capital, Nineveh, a city renowned for its immense size and notorious cruelty. Prophets in ancient Israel often delivered messages of judgment to foreign nations, and the expectation was typically that such judgments would be carried out. Jonah's initial reluctance to go to Nineveh and his subsequent anger at God's mercy reflect a common Israelite understanding of God's covenantal relationship primarily with Israel, and a desire for divine justice to be meted out upon their enemies. The use of natural elements—a great fish, a gourd, a worm, and a scorching wind—as instruments of divine will underscores the ancient Near Eastern understanding of a deity's pervasive power over creation. The rapid growth and decay of plants were familiar phenomena in arid climates, making the gourd's swift appearance and disappearance a relatable and impactful illustration for Jonah.

* **Key Themes:** The events of [Jonah 4:7](/jonah/4-7 "Jonah 4:7 - The Withered Gourd") powerfully reinforce several major theological and narrative themes within the book of Jonah. First, it underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Control**, echoing earlier instances where God "prepared" a great fish ([Jonah 1:17](/jonah/1-17 "Jonah 1:17 - God Prepares a Great Fish")) and the gourd itself ([Jonah 4:6](/jonah/4-6 "Jonah 4:6 - God Prepares the Gourd")). This consistent use of "prepared" (Hebrew: _manah_) emphasizes that every natural event, no matter how small, is under God's deliberate and purposeful orchestration. Second, the rapid appearance and disappearance of the gourd illustrate the **Temporary Nature of Earthly Comforts**. What brings immediate relief and joy can quickly vanish, serving as a stark reminder not to place ultimate trust or derive ultimate satisfaction from transient material possessions or circumstances. Finally, this verse highlights **God's Pedagogical Methods**. God intentionally uses both pleasant (the gourd) and painful (the worm, the scorching wind in [Jonah 4:8](/jonah/4-8 "Jonah 4:8 - The Scorching Wind")) circumstances to teach Jonah about His character, challenging Jonah's narrow, self-centered perspective and demonstrating God's persistent love and desire to shape His servants for His broader redemptive purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **prepared (Hebrew, _mânâh'_):** From H4487, meaning "to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll; appoint, count, number, prepare, set, tell." The use of this verb emphasizes God's deliberate, intentional, and sovereign action. It's not a random occurrence but a divinely appointed event, highlighting God's active role in orchestrating every detail of Jonah's experience.
* **worm (Hebrew, _tôwlâʻ'_):** From H8438, referring to a maggot or grub, specifically one known for its voracious nature. This small, seemingly insignificant creature is chosen by God as the instrument of His will, underscoring that even the smallest elements of creation are under His command and can be used for His grand purposes. The term can also refer to the crimson-grub, used for scarlet dye, which adds a subtle layer of irony given the "withering" effect.
* **withered (Hebrew, _yâbêsh'_):** From H3001, meaning "to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)." The primary sense here is the drying up and decay of the plant. The dual meaning of "ashamed" or "disappointed" is particularly poignant in Jonah's context, as his source of comfort withers, leading to his renewed disappointment and anger, which God then uses to expose Jonah's misplaced priorities.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But God prepared a worm":** This opening clause immediately establishes divine agency. The conjunction "But" signals a shift from the previous verse's focus on Jonah's joy in the gourd, introducing a new, divinely initiated action. "God" (Hebrew: _ʼĕlôhîym_) refers to the supreme, sovereign God, emphasizing His absolute authority. The verb "prepared" (Hebrew: _mânâh_) signifies a deliberate, purposeful appointment, not a random event. God specifically appointed a "worm," a small, seemingly insignificant creature, to fulfill His purpose, demonstrating His meticulous control over all creation, from the largest fish to the tiniest insect.
* **"when the morning rose the next day":** This phrase specifies the timing of the worm's appearance and action. The "morning" (Hebrew: _shachar_) and "next day" (Hebrew: _mochŏrâth_) indicate that the gourd's demise was swift, occurring shortly after its miraculous provision and Jonah's enjoyment of it. This rapid transition from comfort to discomfort is central to God's object lesson, highlighting the fleeting nature of earthly provisions and the suddenness with which God can alter circumstances to achieve His will. The rising sun also foreshadows the scorching east wind mentioned in the following verse, intensifying Jonah's discomfort.
* **"and it smote the gourd that it withered":** This final clause describes the immediate and devastating effect of the worm's action. The worm "smote" (Hebrew: _nâkâh_), meaning it struck or attacked the gourd, causing it to "wither" (Hebrew: _yâbêsh_). The withering implies a rapid drying up and decay, leading to the loss of its shade and comfort. This direct consequence of God's appointed agent is designed to strip Jonah of his physical relief, mirroring his spiritual discomfort and preparing him for God's direct challenge to his self-pity and lack of compassion for Nineveh.

#### Literary Devices
Jonah 4:7 employs several powerful literary devices. **Anthropomorphism** is subtly present in the concept of God "preparing" or "appointing" the worm, attributing human-like intentionality and action to the divine. This reinforces God's active involvement and meticulous control over the natural world. **Symbolism** is central to the verse, with the gourd representing temporary, earthly comforts and Jonah's self-centered joy, while the worm symbolizes the swift, divinely orchestrated removal of such comforts to achieve a higher spiritual purpose. The rapid transition from the gourd's provision to its destruction also creates **Dramatic Irony**. Jonah rejoiced in the gourd, oblivious that it was part of a larger divine plan to expose his own spiritual deficiencies. The worm's action serves as a **Foreshadowing** of the scorching east wind in the subsequent verse, intensifying Jonah's physical suffering and setting the stage for God's direct confrontation with Jonah's misplaced priorities and lack of compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jonah 4:7 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, not only over the grand affairs of nations but also over the most minute details of creation. It underscores that all of creation, from the greatest fish to the smallest worm, is an instrument in God's hands, meticulously "prepared" to fulfill His purposes, whether those purposes involve judgment, mercy, or pedagogical instruction. This verse challenges the human tendency to find ultimate security and comfort in transient earthly provisions, demonstrating how swiftly such comforts can be removed when they hinder spiritual growth or distract from divine priorities. It highlights God's persistent and often uncomfortable methods of discipleship, using both provision and deprivation to refine the hearts of His servants and align their compassion with His own.

* [Psalm 104:24](/psalms/104-24 "Psalm 104:24 - God's Wisdom in Creation")
* [Job 12:10](/job/12-10 "Job 12:10 - God Holds All Life")
* [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Matthew 6:25-34 - Do Not Worry About Earthly Things")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jonah 4:7 offers a sobering yet ultimately hopeful reflection on the nature of divine discipline and the transient character of our earthly comforts. It challenges us to examine where our true joy and security lie. Do we, like Jonah, become disproportionately attached to the fleeting "gourds" in our lives—our possessions, comforts, relationships, or even our ministries—to the point where their loss causes us more distress than the spiritual lostness of others or the perceived thwarting of our own plans? This verse reminds us that God is actively involved in our lives, sometimes removing what we cherish or introducing discomfort, not to punish us arbitrarily, but to expose our misplaced affections, refine our character, and reorient our hearts towards His greater purposes and His boundless compassion for all humanity. It calls us to cultivate a spirit of detachment from the temporal and a deeper trust in God's sovereign wisdom, even when His methods are uncomfortable, knowing that His ultimate aim is our spiritual flourishing and the extension of His mercy through us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "gourds" (sources of comfort or security) in my life might God be challenging or removing to teach me a deeper spiritual truth?**
* **How does my reaction to the loss of earthly comforts compare to my concern for the spiritual condition of those around me?**
* **In what ways might God be using uncomfortable or difficult circumstances in my life as a pedagogical tool to align my heart with His?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater trust in God's sovereignty, even when His actions seem to bring discomfort or contradict my expectations?**

### FAQ

**Why did God give Jonah the gourd only to take it away so quickly?**

Answer: God's provision and subsequent removal of the gourd were part of a deliberate object lesson designed to challenge Jonah's self-centeredness and lack of compassion. In [Jonah 4:6](/jonah/4-6 "Jonah 4:6 - God Provides the Gourd"), God provided the gourd, bringing Jonah great joy and comfort from the scorching sun. Jonah valued this plant, which he did not labor for, more than he valued the lives of 120,000 people in Nineveh. By taking the gourd away so swiftly in [Jonah 4:7](/jonah/4-7 "Jonah 4:7 - The Withered Gourd"), God created a tangible experience of loss for Jonah, setting the stage for the direct confrontation in [Jonah 4:9-11](/jonah/4-9-11 "Jonah 4:9-11 - God's Rebuke and Compassion"), where God asks Jonah, "Do you have good reason to be angry about the plant?" God used the gourd's short life to illustrate Jonah's disproportionate concern for a plant versus his lack of concern for people, aiming to expand Jonah's understanding of divine mercy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jonah 4:7 describes a specific act of God's sovereignty in the Old Testament, its Christ-centered fulfillment lies in how it illuminates the nature of God's compassionate heart, ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. The temporary nature of the gourd, a source of fleeting comfort, foreshadows the ultimate and enduring comfort found only in Christ. Unlike the gourd that withered, Jesus is the "true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")) who provides eternal life and never withers. Furthermore, God's patient, pedagogical method with Jonah, using discomfort to teach compassion, points to Christ's own ministry. Jesus consistently challenged His disciples' narrow perspectives and self-interest, calling them to a radical, self-sacrificial love for others, even their enemies ([Matthew 5:43-48](/matthew/5-43-48 "Matthew 5:43-48 - Love Your Enemies")). The divine sovereignty over the worm and the gourd, orchestrating events for a redemptive purpose, finds its ultimate expression in Christ's complete authority over all creation ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")), an authority He wields not for judgment alone, but primarily for the salvation of humanity, demonstrating the boundless mercy that Jonah struggled to comprehend but which is fully embodied in the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/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

Joel 1:12

The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, [even] all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men.

Job 1:21

And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

Psalms 102:10

Because of thine indignation and thy wrath: for thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down.

Isaiah 40:6

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh [is] grass, and all the goodliness thereof [is] as the flower of the field:

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

Psalms 30:6

¶ And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

Psalms 30:7

LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, [and] I was troubled.