New International VersionThis is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.
New Living TranslationThen the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city: “No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all.
English Standard VersionAnd he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, “By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,
Berean Standard BibleThen 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.
King James BibleAnd he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
New King James VersionAnd he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water.
New American Standard BibleAnd he issued a proclamation, and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: No person, animal, herd, or flock is to taste anything. They are not to eat, or drink water.
NASB 1995He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water.
NASB 1977And he issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd he cried out and said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, animal, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat, and do not let them drink water.
Amplified BibleHe issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh, by the decree of the king and his nobles: No man, animal, herd, or flock is to taste anything. They are not to eat or drink water.
Christian Standard BibleThen he issued a decree in Nineveh: By order of the king and his nobles: No person or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThen he issued a decree in Nineveh: By order of the king and his nobles: No man or beast, herd or flock, is to taste anything at all. They must not eat or drink water.
American Standard VersionAnd he made proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water;
English Revised VersionAnd he made proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen he made this announcement and sent it throughout the city: "This is an order from the king and his nobles: No one is to eat or drink anything. This includes all people, animals, cattle, and sheep.
Good News TranslationHe sent out a proclamation to the people of Nineveh: "This is an order from the king and his officials: No one is to eat anything; all persons, cattle, and sheep are forbidden to eat or drink.
International Standard VersionThen he had this proclamation published throughout Nineveh: "By decree of the king and his nobles: No man or animal, herd or flock, is to taste anything, graze, or drink water.
NET BibleHe issued a proclamation and said, "In Nineveh, by the decree of the king and his nobles: No human or animal, cattle or sheep, is to taste anything; they must not eat and they must not drink water.
New Heart English BibleHe made a proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, "Let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water;
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen 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.
World English BibleHe made a proclamation and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, “Let neither man nor animal, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water; Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he cries and says in Nineveh by a decree of the king and his great ones, saying, “Man and beast, herd and flock—do not let them taste anything, do not let them feed, do not even let them drink water;
Young's Literal Translation and he crieth and saith in Nineveh by a decree of the king and his great ones, saying, 'Man and beast, herd and flock -- let them not taste anything, let them not feed, even water let them not drink;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd he will cry out and say in Nineveh from the edict of the king and of his great ones, saying, The man and beast, the herd and flock shall not taste of anything; they shall not feed and they shall not drink water. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he caused it to be proclaimed and published in Ninive from the mouth of the king and of his princes, saying: Let neither men nor beasts, oxen nor sheep, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd he cried out and spoke: “In Nineveh, from the mouth of the king and of his princes, let it be said: Men and beasts and oxen and sheep may not taste anything. Neither shall they feed or drink water.
New American BibleThen he had this proclaimed throughout Nineveh: “By decree of the king and his nobles, no man or beast, no cattle or sheep, shall taste anything; they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.
New Revised Standard VersionThen he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither men nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed nor drink water;
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd he proclaimed and said to the Ninevites from the commandment of the King and of his Princes: ”Children of man and beasts and oxen and flocks shall not taste a thing and they shall not feed, neither shall they drink water OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying: 'Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing; let them not feed, nor drink water;
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd proclamation was made, and it was commanded in Nineve by the king an by his great men, saying, Let not men, or cattle, or oxen, or sheep, taste any thing, nor feed, nor drink water.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Nineveh Repents… 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 proclamationin Nineveh:“By the decreeof the kingand his nobles:Let nomanor beast,herdor flock,tasteanything at all.They must noteator drink.8Furthermore, let both man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and have everyone call out earnestly to God. Let each one turn from his evil ways and from the violence in his hands.…
Cross References Daniel 6:26I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.
Esther 4:16“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”
Joel 1:14Consecrate a fast; proclaim a solemn assembly! Gather the elders and all the residents of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD.
Joel 2:15-16Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, proclaim a sacred assembly. / Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
2 Chronicles 20:3Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.
Ezra 8:21And there by the Ahava Canal I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask Him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions.
Jeremiah 36:9Now in the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a fast before the LORD was proclaimed to all the people of Jerusalem and all who had come there from the cities of Judah.
Nehemiah 9:1On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth, with dust on their heads.
1 Kings 21:9In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people.
1 Kings 21:27When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted. He lay down in sackcloth and walked around meekly.
Matthew 12:41The 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 11:32The 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.
Acts 27:33-34Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food. / So for your own preservation, I urge you to eat something, because not a single hair of your head will be lost.”
Matthew 6:16-18When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, / so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Mark 2:18-20Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were often fasting. So people came to Jesus and asked, “Why don’t Your disciples fast like John’s disciples and those of the Pharisees?” / Jesus replied, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while He is with them? As long as He is with them, they cannot fast. / But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
Treasury of Scripture And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: caused. Jonah 3:5 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. 2 Chronicles 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. published. Joel 1:18 How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. Romans 8:20-22 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjectedthe same in hope, … Jump to Previous AnimalBeastCausedDecreeDrinkFeedFlockHerdIssuedNinevehNoblesProclaimedProclamationPublishedTasteWaterJump to Next AnimalBeastCausedDecreeDrinkFeedFlockHerdIssuedNinevehNoblesProclaimedProclamationPublishedTasteWaterJonah 3 1.Jonah, sent again, preaches to the Ninevites.5.Upon their repentance,10.God relents.Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:The king of Nineveh, upon hearing Jonah's message, takes immediate action by issuing a proclamation. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its power and cruelty. The king's response indicates a significant shift from the city's previous behavior. This act of issuing a proclamation shows the seriousness with which the message was received, highlighting the power of God's word to bring about repentance. By the decree of the king and his nobles:
The involvement of both the king and his nobles suggests a unified leadership response. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, decrees from the king were binding and carried significant weight. The inclusion of the nobles indicates that this was a collective decision, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the widespread acknowledgment of the need for repentance. Let no man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything at all:
The call for a fast extended beyond humans to include animals, which is unusual in biblical accounts. This comprehensive fast underscores the depth of repentance and the desire for divine mercy. It reflects the belief that the entire community, including livestock, was under judgment and needed to participate in the act of contrition. This mirrors the seriousness of the situation and the totality of the city's repentance. They must not eat or drink:
The prohibition of both food and water signifies an extreme form of fasting, indicating the urgency and desperation of the Ninevites' plea for forgiveness. Fasting in the Bible is often associated with mourning, repentance, and seeking God's favor. This aligns with other instances in Scripture where fasting is used as a means to humble oneself before God, such as in the cases of Esther (Esther 4:16) and the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-31). The Ninevites' fast is a physical manifestation of their spiritual repentance. Persons / Places / Events 1. The King of NinevehThe ruler of the Assyrian city of Nineveh, who responds to Jonah's message by leading the city in repentance. 2. NinevehA major city in the Assyrian Empire, known for its wickedness, which God calls to repentance through Jonah. 3. JonahA prophet of God who initially runs from God's command but eventually delivers God's message to Nineveh. 4. The ProclamationAn official decree made by the king and his nobles, calling for a city-wide fast and repentance. 5. The NoblesThe leaders and officials of Nineveh who support the king's decree and participate in the call to repentance. Teaching Points The Power of Leadership in RepentanceThe king's response to Jonah's message demonstrates the influence leaders have in guiding others toward repentance and change. The Universality of RepentanceThe decree includes both man and beast, symbolizing the comprehensive nature of repentance that involves all aspects of life. Fasting as a Sign of SincerityThe call to fast reflects a deep sincerity in seeking God's mercy, showing that true repentance often involves tangible actions. Collective ResponsibilityThe entire city of Nineveh participates in the fast, illustrating the importance of community-wide accountability and action in seeking God's forgiveness. God's Mercy in Response to RepentanceThe account of Nineveh highlights God's willingness to relent from judgment when people genuinely turn from their sins. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Jonah 3
If the Bible is historically accurate, why do its prophecies often fail or require vague reinterpretation?
If Nineveh repented as Jonah claims, why is there no historical or cultural record of this mass conversion?
What does the Bible say about mercy versus justice?
Jonah 3:6 – Why would the king of such a powerful city immediately accept Jonah’s message and call for fasting and repentance?(7) And he caused . . .--The fact that the word rendered "decree" in this verse was a technical name for the edicts of Assyrian and Babylonian kings (see Daniel 3:10; Daniel 3:29) would alone vouch for the accurate acquaintance of the author with the customs he describes. But the very form of the royal edict is here preserved. The verse should probably run: And he caused to be proclaimed, and be published in Nineveh" According to the decree of the king and his magnates be it proclaimed that," &c. The word "saying" is apparently formal like our "thus saith," &c. And his nobles.--For this association of the great men with the autocrat, comp.Daniel 6:17. Traces of the custom can also be discovered in Assyrian inscriptions,e.g., "I am Assurbanipal king of nations, king of Assyria, Nabu-damiq and Umbadara the great men," &c. (G. Smith,Assyrian Discoveries, p. 413). Ewald thinks the formal "saying" in the edict marks the omission of the names, which in the original would be given. Beast.--The Hebrew word is general, and might include all the domestic animals, but from the addition of "herd nor flock" we must doubtless here confine it to thehorses andmules, &c., which even, according to our ideas, might have their usual gay housings changed to those suited to a time of mourning. "Men think it strange that the horses at Nineveh were covered with sackcloth, and forget how, at the funerals of the rich, black horses are chosen, and are clothed with black velvet" (Pusey). Herodotus (9:24) and Plutarch (Alexander), have both preserved instances in which horses and mules were associated with human beings in the signs of public mourning. The instinct which underlies the custom is a true one. Not only are the destinies of the animals which minister to man's wants often identical with his own; but there is abond of sympathy between them naturally; and one remarkable feature of this book is the prominence given to this truth. (SeeJonah 4:11.) Let them not feed. . . .--Poetically, the beasts are said by Virgil to fast at the death of Daphnis (Eclog., v. 24-28), and inJoel 1:20 their mute appeal against suffering is represented as audible to God. In the horror of the impending ruin of Nineveh, superstition exaggerated the true feeling underlying such representations, and to the belief in the sympathy of the lower animals with man was added the hope that their sufferings would help to appease the wrath of God. . . . Verse 7. - He caused it, etc.; literally, he caused proclamation to be made, and said, i.e. by the heralds. The decree. The word used here ( taam) is an Accadian term, which had become naturalized in Assyria, Persia, and Babylonia, and was applied to a mandate issued with royal authority. It is found in Daniel 3:10, 29; Daniel 4:6; Ezra 4:8, etc. Jonah introduces it here as being the very word employed in describing the proclamation. And his nobles. The monarchs of Assyria were absolute; and if the king in the present case associated the magnates with himself, he did it in an humility occasioned by alarm, and because he saw that they were of the same mind as himself (comp. Daniel 6:17). Saying. The decree extends from here to the end of ver. 9. Man nor beast;i.e. domestic animals, horses, mules, distinct from herd and flock. These great cities contained in their area immense open spaces, like our parks, where cattle were kept. The dumb animals were made to share in their masters' fast and sorrow, as they shared their joy and feasting; their bleating and bellowing were so many appeals to Heaven for mercy; the punishment of these innocent creatures was a kind of atonement for the guilt of their lords (comp. Hosea 4:3; Joel 1:20; and note how the brute creation is said to sham in the happiness of paradise regained, Isaiah 11.). The commentators quote Virgil, 'Ecl.,' 5:24, etc., where, however, the point is that the grief of the shepherds hinders them from attending to the wants of their flocks. Herodotus (9:24) mentions an instance of the Persians cutting the manes and tails of their horses and mules in a case of general mourning (comp. Eurip., 'Alcest.,' 428, etc.; Plut., 'Alex.,' 72).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Then he issued a proclamationוַיַּזְעֵ֗ק(way·yaz·‘êq)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2199:To shriek, to announce, convene publiclyin Nineveh:בְּנִֽינְוֵ֔ה(bə·nî·nə·wêh)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5210:Nineveh -- capital of Assyr“By the decreeמִטַּ֧עַם(miṭ·ṭa·‘am)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2940:A taste, perception, intelligence, a mandateof the kingהַמֶּ֛לֶךְ(ham·me·leḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A kingand his nobles:וּגְדֹלָ֖יו(ū·ḡə·ḏō·lāw)Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1419:Great, older, insolentLet noאַֽל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notmanהָאָדָ֨ם(hā·’ā·ḏām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120:Ruddy, a human beingor beast,וְהַבְּהֵמָ֜ה(wə·hab·bə·hê·māh)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929:A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animalherdהַבָּקָ֣ר(hab·bā·qār)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241:Beef cattle, ox, a herdor flock,וְהַצֹּ֗אן(wə·haṣ·ṣōn)Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629:Small cattle, sheep and goats, flocktasteיִטְעֲמוּ֙(yiṭ·‘ă·mū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2938:To taste, to perceiveanything at all.מְא֔וּמָה(mə·’ū·māh)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3972:A speck, point, nothingThey must notאַ֨ל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Noteatיִרְע֔וּ(yir·‘ū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7462:To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate withor drink.יִשְׁתּֽוּ׃(yiš·tū)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8354:To imbibe
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OT Prophets: Jonah 3:7 He made a proclamation and published through (Jon. Jh) |
