Jonah 4:6

Authorized King James Version

And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְמַ֣ן
prepared
properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
#2
יְהוָֽה
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֱ֠לֹהִים
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
#4
הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן
a gourd
the gourd (as nauseous)
#5
וַיַּ֣עַל׀
and made it to come up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#6
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#7
יוֹנָ֛ה
So Jonah
jonah, an israelite
#8
לִֽהְי֥וֹת
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#9
צֵל֙
that it might be a shadow
shade, whether literal or figurative
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ
over his head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#12
לְהַצִּ֥יל
to deliver
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
#13
ל֖וֹ
H0
#14
מֵרָֽעָת֑וֹ
him from his grief
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#15
וַיִּשְׂמַ֥ח
glad
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
#16
יוֹנָ֛ה
So Jonah
jonah, an israelite
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן
a gourd
the gourd (as nauseous)
#19
שִׂמְחָ֥ה
blithesomeness or glee, (religious or festival)
#20
גְדוֹלָֽה׃
was exceeding
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Jonah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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