Jonah 4 9

Jonah 4:9 kjv

And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

Jonah 4:9 nkjv

Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!"

Jonah 4:9 niv

But God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?" "It is," he said. "And I'm so angry I wish I were dead."

Jonah 4:9 esv

But God said to Jonah, "Do you do well to be angry for the plant?" And he said, "Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die."

Jonah 4:9 nlt

Then God said to Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?" "Yes," Jonah retorted, "even angry enough to die!"

Jonah 4 verses

Jonah 4 9 meaning

Jonah 4:9 continues God's interaction with the disobedient prophet, highlighting the profound chasm between God's boundless compassion and Jonah's narrow, self-centered perspective. God challenges Jonah's irrational anger over the perishable plant that withered, using a rhetorical question to prompt self-reflection. Jonah's response reveals his continued justification of his extreme displeasure, even to the point of desiring death over the loss of a temporary comfort, starkly contrasting with God's concern for the numerous people of Nineveh. The verse encapsulates Jonah's deep-seated resentment against God's mercy towards Israel's enemies and his misplaced priorities, valuing personal comfort above the salvation of thousands.

Jonah 4 9 Context

Jonah 4:9 is central to the climax of the book, occurring immediately after God has intervened by causing a plant to grow overnight to shade Jonah, and then a worm to destroy it, leading to Jonah's extreme distress from the scorching sun and wind. This entire chapter focuses on Jonah's indignation and self-pity after God, in His mercy, spares Nineveh following their repentance. Jonah had desired the destruction of the city, driven by nationalistic fervor and perhaps a concern for Israel's future. The verse directly follows God asking Jonah if he had a right to be angry about the plant. It exposes Jonah's stubborn and rebellious heart, deeply opposed to God's compassionate nature for those outside Israel. Historically, Israel often struggled with understanding God's universal love, believing His covenant meant exclusive favor, often overlooking their missionary calling. The Assyrians (of Nineveh) were known for their brutality and were a future threat to Israel, intensifying Jonah's anger at God's mercy towards them.

Jonah 4 9 Word analysis

• But God said to Jonah:
  • But (וַיֹּאמֶר - vayyō’mer): Connects God's response to Jonah's prior complaint about the sun. It introduces a direct counterpoint and challenge to Jonah's emotional state.
  • God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): Refers to the sovereign, powerful Creator of all. The consistent use of Elohim (general term for God) in Jonah's interactions highlights God's universal authority, distinct from the covenant name YHWH, reinforcing His care extends beyond Israel. It also underlines the disparity between His cosmic perspective and Jonah's narrow focus.
  • said: Emphasizes direct, personal confrontation, inviting dialogue despite Jonah's stubbornness.
• "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?":
  • "Is it right" (הַהֵיטֵב - haḥēṭêḇ): Literally "is it well?" or "is it good?". It's a loaded ethical question, challenging Jonah's moral justification for his anger. It implies a demand for introspection and accountability before a righteous God.
  • "for you": Directs the question specifically to Jonah, holding him responsible for his emotional state.
  • "to be angry" (חָרָה - ḥārâ): A strong verb, meaning "to burn," "to be kindled," or "to glow hotly." It indicates passionate, intense anger. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe God's own righteous anger against sin, but here it highlights Jonah's misguided and disproportionate fury.
  • "about the plant" (עַל־הַקִּיקָיוֹן - ʿal haqqîqāyōn): Refers to the mysterious fast-growing plant that provided temporary shade. This plant (likely a castor bean or gourde-like plant) is symbolic of temporary, material comforts that Jonah valued disproportionately over spiritual matters and human lives. The question implicitly contrasts Jonah's anger over a plant with his lack of empathy for Nineveh.
• And he said, "It is right for me to be angry, angry enough to die.":
  • "And he said": Jonah's direct, defiant answer, confirming his refusal to accept God's correction.
  • "It is right for me to be angry" (הֵיטֵב חָרָה־לִי - ḥēṭêḇ ḥārâ-lî): Jonah unequivocally affirms his anger is justified, echoing God's previous question but turning it into self-vindication. This highlights his spiritual blindness and rebellion against God's perspective.
  • "angry enough to die" (עַד־מָוֶת - ʿaḏ-māweṯ): This hyperbolic expression means his anger is so intense it's consuming him, leading him to desire death. It conveys extreme self-pity and disproportionate distress over a trivial loss. This phrase connects Jonah to other Old Testament prophets (e.g., Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah) who expressed profound despair, but Jonah's anger here is directed at God's mercy rather than His judgment or personal persecution.

Jonah 4 9 Bonus section

The rhetorical nature of God's question in Jonah 4:9 is a classic teaching method, inviting self-examination rather than providing an immediate answer. God does not condemn Jonah outright but provides an opportunity for the prophet to acknowledge his error. Jonah's answer demonstrates his resistance to this divine prompting. The phrase "angry enough to die" can be interpreted not only as a desire for death but also as an expression of his deep despair and the psychological distress caused by his unrighteous anger and self-pity. This state of intense personal distress over trivial matters, while God's ultimate purpose is missed, reflects a common human failing. It serves as a strong polemic against an ethnocentric or nationalist theology that believes God's grace is exclusive to one group, failing to grasp His universal love and mercy. The book positions Jonah's internal struggle as a mirror for Israel's own historical reluctance to embrace their calling as a "light to the nations."

Jonah 4 9 Commentary

Jonah 4:9 is a poignant exchange that unveils the depths of human stubbornness and the profound patience of God. God, having used the plant as a tangible object lesson, directly confronts Jonah's misplaced anger. His question, "Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?", is not an inquiry but a challenge to Jonah's distorted sense of justice and compassion. It underscores the vast difference between valuing ephemeral comfort and God's value of eternal souls. Jonah's response is both self-justifying and hyperbolic, revealing an individual consumed by resentment. His declaration of being "angry enough to die" is a dramatic expression of self-pity and spiritual blindness, showing that his anger over a small personal discomfort outweighs his understanding or appreciation for the salvation of an entire city. This passage demonstrates God's persistent grace even in the face of His prophet's deep-seated prejudice and spiritual immaturity, setting the stage for the book's final, pivotal question. It highlights that true righteousness aligns with divine compassion, not human convenience or cultural prejudice.

• Examples: A Christian prioritizing a trivial personal slight over reaching out to a needy community; valuing comfort more than obedience; resenting someone else receiving undeserved favor.