Jonah 4:6
New International Version
Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant.

New Living Translation
And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

English Standard Version
Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant.

Berean Standard Bible
So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.

King James Bible
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

New King James Version
And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant.

New American Standard Bible
So the LORD God designated a plant, and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head, to relieve him of his discomfort. And Jonah was overjoyed about the plant.

NASB 1995
So the LORD God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant.

NASB 1977
So the LORD God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Yahweh God appointed a plant, and it came up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his miserable evil. And Jonah was extremely glad about the plant.

Amplified Bible
So the LORD God prepared a plant and it grew up over Jonah, to be a shade over his head to spare him from discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about [the protection of] the plant.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.

American Standard Version
And Jehovah God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his evil case. So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD made a vine grow up to shade Jonah's head and protect him from the sun. Jonah was very happy to have the vine,

English Revised Version
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his evil case. So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD God made a plant grow up beside Jonah to give him shade and make him more comfortable. Jonah was very happy with the plant.

Good News Translation
Then the LORD God made a plant grow up over Jonah to give him some shade, so that he would be more comfortable. Jonah was extremely pleased with the plant.

International Standard Version
The LORD God prepared a vine plant, and it grew over Jonah to shade his head and provide relief from his misery. Jonah was happy—indeed, he was ecstatic—about the vine plant.

Majority Standard Bible
So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant.

NET Bible
The LORD God appointed a little plant and caused it to grow up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to rescue him from his misery. Now Jonah was very delighted about the little plant.

New Heart English Bible
The LORD God prepared a vine, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the vine.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

World English Bible
Yahweh God prepared a vine and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the vine.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And YHWH God appoints a gourd, and causes it to come up over Jonah, to be a shade over his head, to give deliverance to him from his affliction, and Jonah rejoices because of the gourd [with] great joy.

Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah God appointeth a gourd, and causeth it to come up over Jonah, to be a shade over his head, to give deliverance to him from his affliction, and Jonah rejoiceth because of the gourd with great joy.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Jehovah God will appoint a gourd, and it will come up from above to Jonah to be a shadow over his head to deliver to him from his evil. And Jonah will rejoice over the gourd with great joy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord God prepared an ivy, and it came up over the head of Jonas, to be a shadow over his head, and to cover him (for he was fatigued): and Jonas was exceeding glad of the ivy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the Lord God prepared an ivy, and it ascended over the head of Jonah so as to be a shadow over his head, and to protect him (for he had labored hard). And Jonah rejoiced because of the ivy, with great rejoicing.

New American Bible
Then the LORD God provided a gourd plant. And when it grew up over Jonah’s head, giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was greatly delighted with the plant.

New Revised Standard Version
The LORD God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the LORD God commanded a tender shoot of gourd to spring up, and it sprang up and came over Jonah, and became a shade over his head, and comforted him of his grief. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the gourd.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And LORD JEHOVAH commanded a shoot of a gourd and it sprouted and it came up over Yonan and there was shade on his head, and it relieved him from his calamity, and Yonan rejoiced for the shoot of the gourd with great joy
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his evil. So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord God commanded a gourd, and it came up over the head of Jonas, to be a shadow over his head, to shade him from his calamities: and Jonas rejoiced with great joy for the gourd.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jonah's Anger at the LORD's Compassion
5Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. 6So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. 7When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered.…

Cross References
Genesis 21:15-19
When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. / Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. / Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. ...

Exodus 34:6
Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness,

Psalm 103:8
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion.

Psalm 121:5-6
The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. / The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

Isaiah 25:4
For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall,

Isaiah 49:10
They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Jeremiah 31:12
They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD—the grain, new wine, and oil, and the young of the flocks and herds. Their life will be like a well-watered garden, and never again will they languish.

Ezekiel 17:23
I will plant it on the mountain heights of Israel so that it will bear branches; it will yield fruit and become a majestic cedar. Birds of every kind will nest under it, taking shelter in the shade of its branches.

Hosea 14:7
They will return and dwell in his shade; they will grow grain and blossom like the vine. His renown will be like the wine of Lebanon.

Matthew 5:45
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 20:15
Do I not have the right to do as I please with what is mine? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Luke 12:27-28
Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. / If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith!

John 4:6-7
Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. / When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.”

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”


Treasury of Scripture

And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

the Lord.

Jonah 1:17
Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Psalm 103:10-14
He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities…

gourd.

So.

Esther 5:9
Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai.

Proverbs 23:5
Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Isaiah 39:2
And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.

was exceeding glad.

Jump to Previous
Affliction Appointed Appointeth Causeth Deliver Deliverance Ease Elohim Evil Exceeding Exceedingly Extremely Glad Gourd Grew Grief Grow Head Jonah Plant Prepared Rejoiceth Save Shade Shadow Trouble Vine
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Affliction Appointed Appointeth Causeth Deliver Deliverance Ease Elohim Evil Exceeding Exceedingly Extremely Glad Gourd Grew Grief Grow Head Jonah Plant Prepared Rejoiceth Save Shade Shadow Trouble Vine
Jonah 4
1. Jonah repining at God's mercy,
4. is reproved by the type of a withering vine.














So the LORD God appointed
The phrase "appointed" comes from the Hebrew word "manah," which means to prepare, assign, or ordain. This word is significant as it indicates divine intervention and purpose. In the context of Jonah, it shows God's sovereignty and His active role in the world. God’s appointment of the vine is a reminder of His control over creation and His ability to use it for His purposes. This divine orchestration is a recurring theme in Jonah, as God also appoints a great fish, a worm, and a scorching east wind. Each appointment serves to teach Jonah and, by extension, the reader, about God's character and intentions.

a vine
The Hebrew word used here is "qiqayon," which is often translated as "gourd" or "plant." The exact species of the plant is uncertain, but its rapid growth and ability to provide shade are emphasized. This plant symbolizes God's provision and care, even in Jonah's disobedience and discomfort. The vine's sudden appearance and growth highlight the miraculous nature of God's provision. It serves as a physical manifestation of God's grace, offering comfort and relief to Jonah despite his earlier reluctance to follow God's command.

and it grew up to provide shade
The growth of the vine is both literal and metaphorical. Literally, it provides physical relief from the harsh sun, symbolizing God's compassion and mercy. Metaphorically, it represents the spiritual shelter and protection God offers to His people. The shade is a temporary reprieve, illustrating the transient nature of earthly comforts compared to the eternal comfort found in God. This act of providing shade is a tangible expression of God's kindness, even when Jonah's heart is not aligned with God's will.

over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort
The phrase "to ease his discomfort" reflects God's concern for Jonah's well-being. The Hebrew word for "discomfort" is "ra'ah," which can also mean "evil" or "distress." This dual meaning suggests that God is addressing not only Jonah's physical discomfort but also his spiritual and emotional state. By easing Jonah's discomfort, God is extending grace and inviting Jonah to reflect on his own attitudes and actions. It is a call to repentance and alignment with God's compassionate nature.

and Jonah was greatly pleased with the vine
Jonah's pleasure in the vine reveals his human tendency to find joy in temporary, material comforts rather than in God's eternal purposes. The Hebrew word for "pleased" is "samach," which means to rejoice or be glad. Jonah's reaction is a moment of personal satisfaction, yet it contrasts sharply with his earlier displeasure at Nineveh's repentance. This highlights Jonah's struggle with understanding God's mercy and his own need for a heart transformation. The vine becomes a tool for God to teach Jonah about the depth of divine compassion, challenging him to align his joy with God's redemptive work in the world.

(6) Prepared.--See Note, Jonah 1:17.

A gourd.--So the LXX. render the Hebrew qiqaion, which, since the time of Jerome, has been usually identified with the Arabic el keroa, the castor-oil tree (Ricinus communis, or Palma Christi; see margin). It is a large shrub, having large palmate leaves, with serrated lobes, and spikes of blossoms which produce the seed, whence the well-known medicinal oil is extracted, in small rough husks. The strongest argument in favour of this view is the proposed derivation of the Hebrew name from the Egyptian kiki, and the rabbinical name for castor-oil, kiki-oil.[22] In spite of this etymological argument, Dr. Tristram says: "Practical reasons cause me to lean strongly to the rendering of our English version, gourd, i.e., the bottle gourd (Cucurbita pepo). In Palestine the vernacularnames are almost identical in sound, "kurah" being the gourd, "khurwah" the castor-oil tree. But the gourd is very commonly employed in Palestine for the purpose of shading arbours. Its rapid growth and large leaves render it admirably adapted for training on trellis-work . . . But the plant withers as rapidly as it shoots, and after a storm or any injury to its stem, its fruit may be seen hanging from the leafless tendrils, which so lately concealed it, a type of melancholy desolation" (Nat Hist. of the Bible, p. 449).

[22] A Semitic origin for the word is rendered probable by its discovery under the form, quqanitu, on a small tablet which the Babylonian king Marduk-bal-iddin (Merodach-baladan) ordered to be set in a garden. (See letters of Dr. F. Delitzsch, to the Athen?um of May 26th and June 9th, 1883.)

Made it to come up.--Rather, it came up.

Deliver.--In the original there is a play of words on this word and shadow.

Verses 6, 7. - 3. God causes a plant to spring up in order to shade Jonah from the sun; but it is made soon to wither away and leave him exposed to the scorching rays. Verse 6. - Prepared (vers. 7, 8); appointed (see note on Jonah 1:17). A gourd; Hebrew, kikaion (here only in the Old Testament); Septuagint, κολοκύνθη," pumpkin;" Vulgate, hedera; Aquila and Theodotion, κυκεών. Jerome describes this as a shrub called in Syriac elkeroa, and common in the sandy regions of Palestine. It has large leaves and grows to a considerable height in a very few days, so that a mere shrub becomes quickly a small tree. The scientific name of this plant is Ricinus communis; in Egyptian, kiki; in Assyrian, kukanitu. A drawing of it is given in Dr Pusey's 'Commentary,' p 260. It is also known by the name of the Palma Christi, and from its seeds is expressed "castor oil." But it is very doubtful whether this is the plant intended. Certainly the ricinus is never used in the East as a protection against the sun, for which its straggling, open growth renders it unsuitable; while the gourd, as Mr. Tristram testifies ('Land of Israel,' p. 37), is used universally to form trellises for shading arbours and summer houses, and affords a most effectual screen. "Orientals," says Dr. Thomson ('The Land and the Book,' p. 15), "never dream of training a castor-oil plant overs booth, or planting it for a shade, and they would have but small respect for any one who did. It is in no way adapted for that purpose, while thousands of arbours are covered with various creepers of the general gourd family." With this testimony it is well to be satisfied. Whatever the plant was, its growth was abnormal in the present ease, though the rapidity with which it developed was merely a quickening of its ordinary powers, in due accordance with its nature and character. From his grief; Septuagint, ἀπὸ τῶν κακῶν αὐτοῦ, "from his evils;" Vulgate, ut... protegeret eum. The Hebrew word is the same as in ver. 1, and it refers, not so much to the physical discomfort occasioned by the heat, but rather to the condition of his mind, the vexation and disappointment under which he was suffering. We exceeding glad; literally, rejoiced a great joy; ἐχάρη χαρὰν μεγάλην (Septuagint). The candour and simplicity of the writer throughout are very remarkable. He may have seen in this providential shelter an intimation that God approved of his intention to wait and see the issue.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So the LORD
יְהוָֽה־ (Yah·weh-)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

God
אֱ֠לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

appointed
וַיְמַ֣ן (way·man)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4487: To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll

a vine,
קִיקָי֞וֹן (qî·qā·yō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7021: (a plant) perhaps castor-oil plant

and it grew up
וַיַּ֣עַל ׀ (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to provide
לִֽהְי֥וֹת (lih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

shade
צֵל֙ (ṣêl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6738: A shadow

over
מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al)
Preposition-m
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Jonah’s
לְיוֹנָ֗ה (lə·yō·w·nāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3124: Jonah -- an Israelite prophet

head
רֹאשׁ֔וֹ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

to ease
לְהַצִּ֥יל (lə·haṣ·ṣîl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver

his
ל֖וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

discomfort,
מֵרָֽעָת֑וֹ (mê·rā·‘ā·ṯōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

and Jonah
יוֹנָ֛ה (yō·w·nāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3124: Jonah -- an Israelite prophet

was greatly
גְדוֹלָֽה׃ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

pleased
וַיִּשְׂמַ֥ח (way·yiś·maḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome

with
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the plant.
הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן (haq·qî·qā·yō·wn)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7021: (a plant) perhaps castor-oil plant


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OT Prophets: Jonah 4:6 Yahweh God prepared a vine and made (Jon. Jh)
Jonah 4:5
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