Jonah 4:8
And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י׀
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י׀
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 22
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּזְרֹ֣חַ
did arise
H2224
כִּזְרֹ֣חַ
did arise
Strong's:
H2224
Word #:
2 of 22
properly, to irradiate (or shoot forth beams), i.e., to rise (as the sun); specifically, to appear (as a symptom of leprosy)
הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ
And it came to pass when the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ
And it came to pass when the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
3 of 22
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
וַיְמַ֨ן
prepared
H4487
וַיְמַ֨ן
prepared
Strong's:
H4487
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, to weigh out; by implication, to allot or constitute officially; also to enumerate or enroll
אֱלֹהִ֜ים
that God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֜ים
that God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
5 of 22
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
ר֤וּחַ
wind
H7307
ר֤וּחַ
wind
Strong's:
H7307
Word #:
6 of 22
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
קָדִים֙
east
H6921
קָדִים֙
east
Strong's:
H6921
Word #:
7 of 22
the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the east (often adverbially, eastward, for brevity the east wind)
חֲרִישִׁ֔ית
a vehement
H2759
חֲרִישִׁ֔ית
a vehement
Strong's:
H2759
Word #:
8 of 22
quiet, i.e., sultry (as feminine noun, the sirocco or hot east wind)
וַתַּ֥ךְ
beat
H5221
וַתַּ֥ךְ
beat
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
9 of 22
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ
And it came to pass when the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁ֛מֶשׁ
And it came to pass when the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
10 of 22
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹ֥אשׁ
upon the head
H7218
רֹ֥אשׁ
upon the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
12 of 22
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וַיִּתְעַלָּ֑ף
that he fainted
H5968
וַיִּתְעַלָּ֑ף
that he fainted
Strong's:
H5968
Word #:
14 of 22
to veil or cover; figuratively, to be languid
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
and wished
H7592
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
and wished
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
15 of 22
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נַפְשׁוֹ֙
in himself
H5315
נַפְשׁוֹ֙
in himself
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לָמ֔וּת
to die
H4191
לָמ֔וּת
to die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
18 of 22
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
ט֥וֹב
It is better
H2896
ט֥וֹב
It is better
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
20 of 22
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
Cross References
Psalms 121:6The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.Jonah 4:3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Isaiah 49:10They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.Ezekiel 19:12But she was plucked up in fury, she was cast down to the ground, and the east wind dried up her fruit: her strong rods were broken and withered; the fire consumed them.
Historical Context
The east wind (qadim) from Arabian desert brought scorching heat to Mesopotamia. Sirocco winds could exceed 110°F (43°C) with extremely low humidity, creating dangerous conditions. Hosea 13:15 uses east wind as metaphor for Assyrian invasion. Jonah's physical suffering mirrors his spiritual state—both reflect being under divine discipline. Ancient Near Eastern literature frequently connected environmental conditions with divine mood or judgment. The combination of sun and wind intensified Jonah's misery, creating teachable moment—though Jonah proves resistant student.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jonah's repeated death wish reveal that changed circumstances don't produce changed hearts—only God's grace does?
- What does Jonah's melodrama over lost shade versus silence over saved souls expose about human self-centeredness?
- In what ways can we have correct theology yet wrong affections, and how does the gospel address this disconnect?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. The third "prepared" thing—vayehi kizroach hashamesh vayeman Elohim ruach qadim charishit vattak hashamesh al-rosh Yonah vayit'allaf vayish'al et-nafsho lamut. The "vehement east wind" (ruach qadim charishit, רוּחַ קָדִים חֲרִישִׁית) describes scorching sirocco winds from Arabian desert—hot, dry, oppressive. Combined with direct sun "beating" (nakah, same verb as worm "smote"), Jonah suffers intensely.
"He fainted" (yit'allaf, יִתְעַלָּף) means to cover oneself, faint, or grow weak—possibly heat stroke. Once again, Jonah "wished to die" (same phrase as 4:3)—his second death wish in the chapter. The repetition "it is better for me to die than to live" echoes verse 3 verbatim, showing Jonah has learned nothing. God provided the fish, the plant, now discomfort—all to teach, yet Jonah remains unteachable. His melodramatic death wish over lost shade contrasts his silence over 120,000 souls.
This verse demonstrates that external circumstances don't change internal attitudes—only God's grace does. Jonah experienced miraculous deliverance (fish), successful ministry (Nineveh repented), divine provision (plant), yet remains miserable because his heart is wrong. The gospel teaches that true transformation requires new birth (John 3:3), new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), Spirit's indwelling (Romans 8:9)—not merely better circumstances. Jonah had right theology (4:2) but wrong affections. Knowledge without love produces pride (1 Corinthians 8:1).