Jonah 3:5

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַֽיַּאֲמִ֛ינוּ

H539

believed

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

אַנְשֵׁ֥י

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

נִֽינְוֵ֖ה

H5210

of Nineveh

nineveh, the capital of assyria

בֵּֽאלֹהִ֑ים

H430

God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיִּקְרְאוּ

H7121

and proclaimed

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

צוֹם֙

H6685

a fast

וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ

H3847

and put

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

שַׂקִּ֔ים

H8242

on sackcloth

properly, a mesh (as allowing a liquid to run through), i.e., coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for bagging); hence, a bag (for grai

מִגְּדוֹלָ֖ם

H1419

from the greatest

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#10

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#11

קְטַנָּֽם׃

H6996

of them even to the least

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Jonah Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
How does this verse's literary context within Jonah chapter 3 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?

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