Jonah 3:8

Clearly the Ninevites connected the impending judgment with their own conduct. They felt that by abandoning their wickedness they could obtain some mercy from God. The Hebrew word translated "violence" (hamas) refers to the overbearing attitude and conduct of someone who has attained power over others and misuses it (cf. Genesis 16:5). Assyrian soldiers were physically violent (Nahum 3:1; Nahum 3:3-4; cf. 2 Kings 18:33-35), but so were the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:9; Habakkuk 2:8; Habakkuk 2:17) and others who, because of conquest, could dominate others. Discrimination against minorities because they are less powerful manifests this sin. We must not forget the violence of our own times and society.

"Violence, the arbitrary infringements of human rights, is a term that occurs in the OT prophets especially in connection with cities: urban conglomeration encourages scrambling over others, like caterpillars in a jar." [Note: Allen, p. 225.]

This reference to violence recalls Genesis 6:11; Genesis 6:13. God had previously destroyed the world in Noah’s day because it was so violent. Now Jonah became the bearer of a message of judgment on another violent civilization.

Decorating horses and other animals has long been a popular practice. In the funeral of President John F. Kennedy a rider-less horse added a poignant touch to the procession.