Jonah 3:5-8 NIV

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 3:7

Verse 7 But it seems strange, and even ridiculous, that the king should bid animals, as well as men, to make a confession of repentance; for penitence is a change in man, when he returns to God after having been alienated from him: this cannot comport with the character of brute animals. Then the king of Nineveh acted foolishly and contrary to all reason in connecting animals with men when he spoke of repentance. But, in answer to this, we must bear in mind what I have before said — that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 3:8

Verse 8 Jonah afterwards adds, And they cried mightily (49) to God This must be confined to men; for it could not have been applied to brute animals. Men then, as well as the beasts, abstained from meat and drink, and they cried to God. This crying could not have proceeded except from fear and a religious feeling: hence, as I have said, this cannot be applied indiscriminately to the beasts as well as to men. (50) But it deserves to be noticed, that the king of Nineveh commanded the people to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:1-10

Part III . JONAH 'S PREACHING IN NINEVEH ; THE REPENTANCE OF THE NINEVITES . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:4-10

A heathen city in sackcloth. Let us try to realize the scene. An Eastern city sleeps in the rosy morning light. Its moated ramparts tower a hundred feet in air, and, dotted with fifteen hundred lofty towers, sweep around it a length of over sixty miles. Already the gates are open for the early traffic, and conspicuous among the crowd a stranger enters. The stains of travel are on his dress, and he looks with curious awe at the figures of winged colossal bulls that keep silent symbolic... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5

Believed God; believed in God, which implies trust and hope; Vulgate, crediderunt in Deum. They recognized Jonah as God's messenger; they recognized God's power as able to execute the threat, and they had confidence in his mercy if they repented. This great result has seemed to some incredible, and has occasioned doubts to be east upon the history. But, as we have seen in the Introduction, Jonah's mission occurred probably at a time of national depression, when men's minds were disposed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5

National repentance. No doubt repentance is an individual exercise of heart; yet when the bulk of a community is pervaded by similar sentiments, it may be a national exercise also. Such seems to have been the case with the population of Nineveh; Jonah's witness was believed by one and by another, until belief became general; and, as penitence, fear, and supplication spread from man to man, the city seemed moved by one common impulse, leading the whole population to the feet of God. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5-9

§ 3. The Ninevites hearken to the cry of Jonah, believe in God, and repent. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5-9

The repentance of Nineveh. "So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them," etc. Here is Jonah in Nineveh alone against the world. Oh, the moral grandeur of the sight!—resting on God alone—"according to his faith it was to him"—marvellous success of his preaching, through Divine power working in him and through him. Observe the contrast to Noah and to Lot. He is like John the Baptist—a torch, setting... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5-9

Jonah's successful ministry in Nineveh. With a quick and marvellous success was Jonah's ministry crowned. Doubtless the Ninevites knew how he had sought to escape his mission to them, and all the perilous and miraculous consequences of his flight. This seems clearly implied in our Lord's words, who says that Jonah was "a sign unto the Ninevites." And he only could be this in so far as they were acquainted with his history. He was "a sign" that Jehovah was not to be trifled with. If he, a ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:6

For word came; and the matter came ; ἤγγισεν ὁ λόγος , "the word came near". The tokens of penitence mentioned in Jonah 3:5 were not exhibited in obedience to any royal command. Rather, as the impression made by the prophet spread among the people, and as they adopted these modes of showing their sorrow, the news of the movement reached the king, and he put himself at the head of it. The reigning monarch was probably either Shalmaneser III . or one of the two who succeeded him,... read more

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 3:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 3:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:1-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:4-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:5-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 3:6

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