Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. New Living Translation When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. English Standard Version The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Berean Standard Bible When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. King James Bible For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. New King James Version Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. New American Standard Bible When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, removed his robe from himself, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat on the dust. NASB 1995 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. NASB 1977 When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat on the ashes. Legacy Standard Bible Then the word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, laid aside his mantle from him, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat on the ashes. Amplified Bible When word reached the king of Nineveh [of Jonah’s message from God], he rose from his throne, took off his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in the dust [in repentance]. Christian Standard Bible When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Holman Christian Standard Bible When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth, and sat in ashes. American Standard Version And the tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Contemporary English Version When the king of Nineveh heard what was happening, he also dressed in sackcloth; he left the royal palace and sat in dust. English Revised Version And the tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Good News Translation When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes. International Standard Version When the message reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, removed his royal garments, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat down in ashes. Majority Standard Bible When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. NET Bible When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, put on sackcloth, and sat on ashes. New Heart English Bible The news reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Webster's Bible Translation For word came to the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. World English Bible The news reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionseeing the word comes to the king of Nineveh, and he rises from his throne, and removes his honorable robe from off him, and spreads out sackcloth, and sits on the ashes, Young's Literal Translation seeing the word doth come unto the king of Nineveh, and he riseth from his throne, and removeth his honourable robe from off him, and spreadeth out sackcloth, and sitteth on the ashes, Smith's Literal Translation And the word will reach to the king of Nineveh, and he will rise from his throne, and he will take away his wide cloak from off him, and he will cover with sackcloth, and he will sit upon ashes. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the word came to the king of Ninive; and he rose up out of his throne, and cast away his robe from him, and was clothed with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Catholic Public Domain Version And word reached the king of Nineveh. And he rose from his throne, and he threw off his robe from himself and was clothed in sackcloth, and he sat in ashes. New American Bible When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. New Revised Standard Version When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the news reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne and took off his crown from his head and covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the word arrived to the King of Nineva, and he arose from his throne and he removed his crown from himself and he wore sackcloth and sat down on ashes OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the word reached the king of Nineve, and he arose from off his throne, and took off his raiment from him, and put on sackcloth, and sat on ashes. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Nineveh Repents5And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. 6When word reached the king of Nineveh, he got up from his throne, took off his royal robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink.… Cross References Daniel 4:27 Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.” Esther 4:1-3 When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. / But he went only as far as the king’s gate, because the law prohibited anyone wearing sackcloth from entering that gate. / In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Matthew 12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here. Luke 11:32 The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here. 1 Kings 21:27-29 When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly. / Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying: / “Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity during his days, but I will bring it upon his house in the days of his son.” Jeremiah 36:24 Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments. Ezekiel 18:30-32 Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! Joel 2:12-14 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. / Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him—grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God. Matthew 11:21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Isaiah 58:5-7 Is this the fast I have chosen: a day for a man to deny himself, to bow his head like a reed, and to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast and a day acceptable to the LORD? / Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke? / Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Acts 17:30 Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent. James 4:9-10 Grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. / Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 And in his distress, Manasseh sought the favor of the LORD his God and earnestly humbled himself before the God of his fathers. / And when he prayed to Him, the LORD received his plea and heard his petition. So He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. Nehemiah 9:1-2 On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads. / Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers. Zephaniah 2:1-3 Gather yourselves, gather together, O shameful nation, / before the decree takes effect and the day passes like chaff, before the burning anger of the LORD comes upon you, before the Day of the LORD’s anger comes upon you. / Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. Treasury of Scripture For word came to the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. word. Jeremiah 13:18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. and he arose. Psalm 2:10-12 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth… James 1:9,10 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: … James 4:6-10 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble… and covered. Esther 4:1-4 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; … Job 2:8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Jump to Previous Ashes Authority Covered Covering Haircloth Himself Laid News Nineveh Nin'eveh Reached Riseth Robe Robes Rose Royal Sackcloth Sat Seat Throne Tidings WordJump to Next Ashes Authority Covered Covering Haircloth Himself Laid News Nineveh Nin'eveh Reached Riseth Robe Robes Rose Royal Sackcloth Sat Seat Throne Tidings WordJonah 3 1. Jonah, sent again, preaches to the Ninevites.5. Upon their repentance, 10. God relents. When word reached the king of Nineveh The city of Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its power and cruelty. The king of Nineveh, likely a title for the ruler of the Assyrian Empire, would have been a figure of immense authority. The fact that the message of Jonah reached him indicates the widespread impact of Jonah's proclamation. This moment highlights the power of God's word to penetrate even the highest echelons of power. Historically, Assyrian kings were seen as divine or semi-divine figures, making the king's response even more significant. he got up from his throne took off his royal robe covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of NinevehThe ruler of the Assyrian city of Nineveh, who responds to Jonah's message of impending judgment with humility and repentance. 2. Nineveh A major city in the Assyrian Empire, known for its wickedness, which God sent Jonah to warn of impending destruction. 3. Jonah A prophet of God who initially fled from God's command but later delivered God's message to Nineveh. 4. Sackcloth and Ashes Traditional symbols of mourning and repentance in ancient Near Eastern cultures, indicating the king's sincere contrition. 5. Repentance The central event in this passage, where the king and the people of Nineveh turn from their evil ways in response to God's warning. Teaching Points The Power of HumilityThe king of Nineveh's actions demonstrate the importance of humility before God. True repentance begins with acknowledging one's own sinfulness and need for God's mercy. Repentance Leads to Transformation The king's response shows that genuine repentance can lead to a change in behavior and avert God's judgment. This is a call for believers to examine their lives and turn from sin. God's Mercy is Available to All The account of Nineveh illustrates that God's mercy is not limited to a specific group but is available to all who genuinely repent, regardless of their past. Leadership in Repentance The king's leadership in repentance sets an example for others to follow. Leaders in any capacity should model humility and repentance for those they lead. The Urgency of Responding to God's Word The immediate response of the king and the people of Nineveh to Jonah's message underscores the urgency of responding to God's call without delay.(6) For word came.--Rather, And the matter reached. The Authorised Version treats the royal edict that follows as the same with the proclamation in Jonah 3:5. This is possible, but it is more probable that the writer intended to describe the effect produced on each district of the vast city in succession, and on all grades of people. The piercing cry uttered from street to street, from square to square, reaches at last the king on his throne of state. And he laid . . .--Stripping off the state mantle (the Hebrew word implies amplitude. See 1Kings 19:13.) It is interesting to find it used of the "Babylonish garment," found in Achan's tent. See Joshua 7:21), the monarch assumes a mourning dress. To form a conception of the change involved, the descriptions of Assyrian royal magnificence should be studied in Layard, or their representations in the Assyrian courts of the Crystal Palace. For the usual signs of Oriental mourning, comp. Genesis 37:34; 2Samuel 3:31; Job 2:8; Psalm 35:13; Ezekiel 26:16, &c. . . . Verse 6. - For word came; and the mater came; ἤγγισεν ὁ λόγος, "the word came near" (Septuagint). The tokens of penitence mentioned in ver. 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, Asshur-danil and Asshur-nirari, whose three reigns extended from B.C. 781 to 750. His robe (addereth); the word used for the "Babylonish garment" in Joshua 7:21. The magnificence of the Assyrian kings attire is attested by the monuments. Sat in ashes (comp. Job 2:8; Esther 4:3).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When wordהַדָּבָר֙ (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause reached וַיִּגַּ֤ע (way·yig·ga‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike the king מֶ֣לֶך (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 4428: A king of Nineveh, נִֽינְוֵ֔ה (nî·nə·wêh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5210: Nineveh -- capital of Assyr he got up וַיָּ֙קָם֙ (way·yā·qām) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand from his throne, מִכִּסְא֔וֹ (mik·kis·’ōw) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne took off וַיַּעֲבֵ֥ר (way·ya·‘ă·ḇêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on his royal robe, אַדַּרְתּ֖וֹ (’ad·dar·tōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 155: Something ample covered [himself] וַיְכַ֣ס (way·ḵas) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover with sackcloth, שַׂ֔ק (śaq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8242: A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag and sat וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב (way·yê·šeḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry in מֵֽעָלָ֑יו (mê·‘ā·lāw) Preposition-m | third person masculine singular Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against ashes. הָאֵֽפֶר׃ (hā·’ê·p̄er) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 665: Ashes Links Jonah 3:6 NIVJonah 3:6 NLT Jonah 3:6 ESV Jonah 3:6 NASB Jonah 3:6 KJV Jonah 3:6 BibleApps.com Jonah 3:6 Biblia Paralela Jonah 3:6 Chinese Bible Jonah 3:6 French Bible Jonah 3:6 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jonah 3:6 The news reached the king of Nineveh (Jon. Jh) |
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