Jonah 3:1 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Jonah 3:1 kjv
And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,
Jonah 3:1 nkjv
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
Jonah 3:1 niv
Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:
Jonah 3:1 esv
Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,
Jonah 3:1 nlt
Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time:
Jonah 3 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 23:19 | God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should change his mind: hath he said... | God's unchangeable character and word. |
| 1 Sam 15:29 | the Glory of Israel will not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being that he should change his mind. | God does not go back on His word or revoke His call. |
| Ps 33:9 | For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm. | The sovereign power and efficacy of God's spoken word. |
| Ps 89:34 | My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. | God's faithfulness to His promises and decrees. |
| Ps 103:8 | The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. | Describes God's patient, compassionate, and enduring love. |
| Isa 30:18 | Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore he waits to be exalted, that he may have compassion... | God's active desire to show grace and His patience for repentance. |
| Isa 55:11 | so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish... | God's word unfailingly achieves its intended purpose. |
| Jer 1:4-10 | The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you..." | Illustrates prophetic commissioning by the direct word of the LORD. |
| Joel 2:13 | Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious... | A call to genuine repentance based on God's gracious character. |
| Rom 11:29 | for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. | Confirms God's unrevocable calling despite human unfaithfulness. |
| Ex 34:6-7 | The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love... | Attributes of God's enduring mercy, patience, and love. |
| Mal 3:6 | "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." | God's unchanging nature ensures His people's preservation. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword... | The inherent power and penetrating nature of God's word. |
| Rev 19:13 | He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. | Christ is presented as the embodiment and fulfillment of God's Word. |
| Ezek 1:3 | the word of the LORD came specifically to Ezekiel... | Another example of the divine word directly addressing a prophet for commissioning. |
| John 21:15-19 | Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Feed my lambs." | Jesus re-commissions Peter after his denials, offering a second chance in ministry. |
| Ex 4:12-17 | "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." | God persists in commissioning Moses despite his initial reluctance and excuses. |
| Hos 11:8-9 | "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel? ... for I am God and not a man." | God's unfailing love and mercy towards unfaithful Israel. |
| Luke 15:11-32 | The Parable of the Prodigal Son | A profound illustration of divine grace, forgiveness, and welcoming of the repentant. |
| 2 Tim 2:13 | If we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. | God's steadfast faithfulness transcends human failures and shortcomings. |
| Ps 51:17 | The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart—these, God, you will not despise. | God values genuine repentance and humility over ritual sacrifices. |
| Acts 3:19 | Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out... | A clear call to repentance leading to forgiveness and cleansing of sins. |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Promises of forgiveness and cleansing upon confession of sin. |
Jonah 3 verses
Jonah 3 1 meaning
Jonah 3:1 marks a pivotal moment, signaling God's unyielding purpose and boundless grace. Following Jonah's repentance and miraculous rescue from the great fish, God reiterates His divine command. This verse underscores the unchanging nature of God's mission, His steadfast love for His prophet, and His willingness to grant a second opportunity even after profound disobedience, all aimed at accomplishing His will for the city of Nineveh. It reveals that God's calling and ultimate plans are not thwarted by human failure.
Jonah 3 1 Context
Jonah 3:1 arrives after a dramatic sequence of events. Chapter 1 depicted Jonah's initial disobedience and flight from God's command to preach to Nineveh, leading to a tempest and his being thrown overboard. Chapter 2 details Jonah's prayer of repentance from within the belly of a great fish, where he acknowledges God's salvation and expresses his commitment to fulfill his vows. Thus, Chapter 3 opens with a powerful testament to divine grace. The "second time" directly refers to the initial, unfulfilled command from Jonah 1:2. It highlights a fresh opportunity, not merely for Jonah, but also for Nineveh, as God remains committed to His merciful purposes despite the prophet's profound failure. Historically, Assyria (Nineveh's empire) was a formidable and often cruel power, a known oppressor of Israel, making God's command for Israel's prophet to save them even more counter-cultural and spiritually challenging for Jonah.
Jonah 3 1 Word analysis
- Then (וַיְהִי, vayhi): This Hebrew particle, common in biblical narrative, signals both temporal succession ("and it came to pass") and often introduces a new, significant development or a change in circumstances. Here, it marks a critical turning point following Jonah's salvation and repentance.
- the word (דְּבַר, dvar): Signifies direct, divine communication. It is not an abstract idea but a tangible, authoritative message from God. The term dvar YHWH (word of the LORD) is a standard formula in prophetic literature, underscoring the absolute divine source and authority of the message.
- of the LORD (יהוה, YHWH): This is the personal, covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent and unchanging nature. Its use here emphasizes that it is the very same, faithful God who initially called Jonah, reinforcing His enduring commitment to His purposes and His covenant relationship, despite Jonah's disobedience.
- came (הָיָה, haya, implied): While grammatically part of vayhi, the action implies God's initiative. His word actively reaches out to Jonah, demonstrating divine pursuit and engagement.
- to Jonah (אֶל-יוֹנָה, el-Yonah): God's specific and personal address to His chosen, albeit flawed, messenger. It underscores that God’s call is directed to an individual and He doesn't abandon His chosen vessels.
- a second time (שֵׁנִית, shenit): This phrase is the theological lynchpin of the verse. It powerfully demonstrates God's persistent grace, infinite patience, and sovereign commitment to His plan even after the prophet's deliberate rebellion. It speaks volumes about divine forgiveness and re-commissioning after repentance.
- saying (לֵאמֹר, lemor): A standard introductory formula for direct speech or divine instruction, indicating that the content of the renewed command will immediately follow.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Then the word of the LORD": This powerful opening highlights God's initiative and authority. After Jonah's turbulent journey and miraculous rescue, the source of authority remains firmly with YHWH, whose word is constant and effective.
- "came to Jonah a second time": This is a profound statement of grace, divine persistence, and restorative justice. It's not a new word or a different calling, but the same word, addressed to the same prophet, despite his profound failure. It underscores God's commitment to His initial commission and His patient love that provides another chance.
Jonah 3 1 Bonus section
The concept of the "second time" in Jonah 3:1 echoes a broader biblical pattern of divine forgiveness and recommissioning. It’s not a mere procedural restart, but a deep theological affirmation of God's character. In Hebrew thought, the number two often signifies confirmation or intensified truth. Here, it confirms God's unchanging will and deep mercy. This recommissioning is not conditional on Jonah's past performance but on God's nature and the validity of His original call. This narrative serves as a vital lesson that failure does not always mean the end of one's usefulness to God, but rather, through repentance, it can lead to a renewed and more potent ministry. Many scholars view Jonah's experience in the fish as a symbolic death and resurrection, and his second commissioning as analogous to new life with a revived purpose. The unchangeable nature of God’s character guarantees that His word will accomplish all it sets out to do.
Jonah 3 1 Commentary
Jonah 3:1 encapsulates the essence of divine grace and unyielding purpose. After Jonah's attempted escape, near-death experience, and desperate prayer, God doesn't seek a new prophet or abandon His plan. Instead, His "word" – that active, sovereign decree – returns to the same, once disobedient, messenger. The crucial phrase "a second time" profoundly highlights God's inexhaustible patience and commitment to His chosen. It reveals that divine calling, once issued, remains unless revoked, and God is always ready to forgive and restore upon genuine repentance. This re-commissioning signifies that salvation is not merely an end in itself (saving Jonah from death), but a means to an end (empowering Jonah for ministry). God's grace always has a purpose beyond mere comfort: it equips for mission. This verse stands as a testament to God's faithfulness even in the face of human faithlessness, ensuring that His ultimate redemptive plans will prevail.