Jonah 3 7

Jonah 3:7 kjv

And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

Jonah 3:7 nkjv

And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.

Jonah 3:7 niv

This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.

Jonah 3:7 esv

And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,

Jonah 3:7 nlt

Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: "No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all.

Jonah 3 verses

Jonah 3 7 Meaning

Jonah 3:7 describes the unprecedented and extreme measure taken by the King of Nineveh and his officials in response to Jonah's prophecy of impending destruction. The king issues a nationwide decree, universally proclaimed, requiring not only every person but also every animal within his dominion – cattle, sheep, and goats – to observe a strict fast. This meant complete abstinence from all food and water. This drastic action underscored the Ninevites' deep alarm and immediate, comprehensive repentance in the face of God's imminent judgment.

Jonah 3 7 Context

Jonah 3:7 follows Jonah's reluctantly delivered, but divinely powerful, message of impending doom to Nineveh (Jonah 3:4). The immediately preceding verse (Jonah 3:6) reveals the king's own immediate, personal response of profound humility: descending from his throne, removing his royal robe, covering himself in sackcloth, and sitting in ashes – a classic display of deep repentance and mourning. Verse 7 details how this personal humility escalates into a public, national decree.

Historically, Nineveh was the capital of the formidable Assyrian Empire, known for its brutal warfare and idolatry. Its very existence was a threat to Israel. For God to send His prophet to warn such a people, and for them to respond so radically, highlights the book's overarching theme of God's universal sovereignty and compassion, extending even to the pagan enemies of His people, beyond Israel's exclusive understanding. The inclusion of animals in the fast speaks to the deep ancient Near Eastern belief that great calamity affected the entire realm, and that divine wrath needed to be appeased by an all-encompassing, visible sign of distress.

Jonah 3 7 Word analysis

• And he caused it to be proclaimed: This refers to the King of Nineveh. The Hebrew verb "וַיַּכְרֵז" (vayyakhrez) comes from "כָּרַז" (karaz), meaning "to proclaim" or "to preach aloud." It implies an official, public declaration, often done by a herald.
• and published: The Hebrew word used here, "וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ" (vayyalbesh), literally means "and he clothed" or "caused to be clothed." Its usage here in conjunction with "proclaimed" is highly unusual. Scholars offer various interpretations: it might signify "to make manifest" or "to put into effect/enact" the decree, giving it a visible, official status, akin to clothing something with authority. Alternatively, some view it as a unique idiom meaning "to make widely known" or a textual variant, where it should be read as "made known" (e.g., in Syriac versions). The primary sense, regardless, is that the decree was officially and broadly disseminated.
• throughout Nineveh: Indicates the extensive reach of the decree, covering the entire vast city (Jonah 3:3 describes Nineveh as "an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth").
• by the decree: Hebrew "בְּטַעַם" (beta'am). The word "טַעַם" (ta'am) is of Aramaic origin and means "judgment," "reason," or "decree," common in royal or governmental contexts in biblical literature (e.g., books of Ezra and Daniel). It signifies an authoritative royal order.
• of the king and his nobles: This highlights the collective, unanimous authority behind the decree, involving the highest ruling council of the kingdom, legitimizing and enforcing the radical measure. "Nobles" (גְּדוֹלָיו - gedolaiv) refers to his great ones, his chief officials.
• saying,: Introduces the content of the decree, specifying its requirements.
• Let neither man nor beast: The immediate and absolute scope of the fast, covering all living beings within their control. "Man" (אָדָם - adam), "beast" (בְּהֵמָה - behemah, meaning domesticated animals, cattle).
• herd nor flock: Specific categories of animals included in the fast. "Herd" (בָּקָר - baqar) typically refers to cattle; "flock" (צֹאן - tzon) refers to sheep and goats. This emphasizes that all livestock were to participate, highlighting the comprehensiveness of their penance.
• taste any thing: "לא־יִטְעֲמוּ מְאוּמָה" (lo yit'amu meumah). A strict prohibition on any food whatsoever. "Taste" here implies even a tiny amount.
• let them not feed, nor drink water: This reiterates and expands upon the absolute nature of the fast: total abstinence from all sustenance, both solid and liquid. This goes beyond what was typically commanded in Mosaic Law for human fasting and underscores the Ninevites' utter desperation and desire to avert judgment.

Jonah 3 7 Bonus section

The intensity of the Ninevite fast, especially its extension to animals, is frequently interpreted by scholars as an "hyperbolic expression" of deep lamentation, designed to catch God's attention and mercy. It shows a profound desperation and acknowledgement that their plight was shared by all creatures under their domain. This desperate cry for mercy contrasts sharply with Jonah's reluctance and foreshadows God's ultimate compassion mentioned in Jonah 4:11, where God specifically references the "much cattle" alongside the many people as reasons for His pity on Nineveh. The non-Israelite King's immediate and full-fledged response serves as a subtle yet powerful polemic against Israel's (and Judah's) repeated failure to heed their own prophets despite more explicit and long-standing covenant knowledge. It highlights God's grace extended to the Gentiles, long before the New Testament emphasis on it, showing that His concern and capacity for mercy were never limited to one nation.

Jonah 3 7 Commentary

Jonah 3:7 presents the public manifestation of Nineveh's repentance, following the king's personal example in the previous verse. This royal decree demonstrates the depth of the Ninevite king's fear and recognition of a powerful, offended deity, presumably prompted by Jonah's simple yet potent message. The fast is extreme and inclusive, encompassing not only all people but also all animals – a symbolic act, unique in its biblical account, designed to show the utmost degree of humility and corporate distress before God. While surprising to modern readers, ancient Near Eastern lament practices sometimes included animals as part of a shared communal suffering or an attempt to demonstrate that the calamity was so widespread it touched every part of creation. It powerfully portrays the King's understanding that God's wrath would encompass all living things if judgment fell. The decree, issued by the king and his nobles, signifies a top-down, unified national response, reflecting a genuine and immediate terror of God's impending judgment. It underscores a crucial aspect of genuine repentance: a decisive change in action and lifestyle motivated by sincere recognition of sin and its consequences. This drastic action set the Ninevites apart, as they immediately yielded to a prophetic warning, a stark contrast to Israel's often-hardened heart.

Examples of application:

• This verse can highlight how profound, radical measures are sometimes taken when individuals or communities are truly confronted with God's word and its implications.
• It illustrates that true repentance often extends beyond individual change to corporate and systemic shifts, even within governing structures.
• The Ninevite's inclusion of animals speaks to a recognition of interconnectedness – that human sin can have ramifications for the entire created order, prompting a comprehensive approach to appeasement.