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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Jonah 3:5 And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/jonah/3-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/32_Jon_03_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Jonah 3:5 - Nineveh Repents" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And the Ninevites believed God. 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A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/jonah/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/jonah/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/jonah/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/jonah/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/jonah/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/jonah/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/jonah/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/jonah/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/jonah/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/jonah/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed <i>and</i> trusted in God; and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth [in penitent mourning], from the greatest even to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/jonah/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the people of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth—from the greatest of them to the least.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/jonah/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The men of Nineveh believed in God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth—from the greatest of them to the least. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/jonah/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/jonah/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They believed God's message and set a time when they would go without eating to show their sorrow. Then everyone in the city, no matter who they were, dressed in sackcloth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/jonah/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/jonah/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed God. They decided to fast, and everyone, from the most important to the least important, dressed in sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/jonah/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed God's message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/jonah/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least important. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/jonah/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And the Ninevites believed God. They proclaimed a fast and dressed in sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/jonah/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed in God, and they declared a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/jonah/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/jonah/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/jonah/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even to their least. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/jonah/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the men of Nineveh believe in God, and proclaim a fast, and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even to their least,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/jonah/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the men of Nineveh believe in God, and proclaim a fast, and put on sackcloth, from their greatest even unto their least,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/jonah/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the men of Nineveh will believe in God, and they will call a fast, and put on sackcloth, from great and even to small.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/jonah/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/jonah/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the men of Nineveh believed in God. And they proclaimed a fast, and they put on sackcloth, from the greatest all the way to the least.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/jonah/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/jonah/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/jonah/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So the people of Nineveh believed in God and decreed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/jonah/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the people of Nineva believed in God and they cut a fast and they put on sackcloth, from their Princes and unto their little ones<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/jonah/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the people of Nineveh believed God; and they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/jonah/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the men of Nineve believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloths, from the greatest of them to the least of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/jonah/3-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfTdDqEKJXA?start=321" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/jonah/3.htm">Nineveh Repents</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5210.htm" title="5210: nî·nə·wêh (N-proper-fs) -- Capital of Assyr. Of foreign origin; Nineveh, the capital of Assyria.">And the Ninevites</a> <a href="/hebrew/539.htm" title="539: way·ya·’ă·mî·nū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To confirm, support. ">believed</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: bê·lō·hîm (Prep-b:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: way·yiq·rə·’ū- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">They proclaimed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6685.htm" title="6685: ṣō·wm (N-ms) -- Fasting, a fast. Or tsom; from from tsuwm; a fast.">a fast</a> <a href="/hebrew/3847.htm" title="3847: way·yil·bə·šū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- Or labesh; a primitive root; properly, wrap around, i.e. to put on a garment or clothe, literally or figuratively.">and dressed</a> <a href="/hebrew/8242.htm" title="8242: śaq·qîm (N-mp) -- Sack, sackcloth. From shaqaq; properly, a mesh, i.e. Coarse loose cloth or sacking; hence, a bag.">in sackcloth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1419.htm" title="1419: mig·gə·ḏō·w·lām (Prep-m:: Adj-msc:: 3mp) -- Great. Or gadol; from gadal; great; hence, older; also insolent.">from the greatest</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">of them to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: qə·ṭan·nām (Adj-msc:: 3mp) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">the least.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Matthew 12:41</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-32.htm">Luke 11:32</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-21.htm">Matthew 11:21</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-13.htm">Luke 10:13</a></span><br />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, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-30.htm">Acts 17:30</a></span><br />Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/26-20.htm">Acts 26:20</a></span><br />First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-17.htm">Romans 10:17</a></span><br />Consequently, faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-7.htm">Hebrews 11:7</a></span><br />By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-19.htm">James 2:19</a></span><br />You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-24.htm">James 2:24</a></span><br />As you can see, a man is justified by his deeds and not by faith alone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">2 Chronicles 20:3</a></span><br />Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/36-9.htm">Jeremiah 36:9</a></span><br />Now 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/9-3.htm">Daniel 9:3</a></span><br />So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/1-14.htm">Joel 1:14</a></span><br />Consecrate 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a></span><br />“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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">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.</p><p class="hdg">believed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/9-18.htm">Exodus 9:18-21</a></b></br> Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/12-41.htm">Matthew 12:41</a></b></br> The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas <i>is</i> here.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/11-32.htm">Luke 11:32</a></b></br> The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas <i>is</i> here.</p><p class="hdg">and proclaimed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/20-3.htm">2 Chronicles 20:3</a></b></br> And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/8-21.htm">Ezra 8:21</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/36-9.htm">Jeremiah 36:9</a></b></br> And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, <i>that</i> they proclaimed a fast before the LORD to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.</p><p class="hdg">from.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/31-34.htm">Jeremiah 31:34</a></b></br> And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/42-1.htm">Jeremiah 42:1,8</a></b></br> Then all the captains of the forces, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Jezaniah the son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least even unto the greatest, came near, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/8-10.htm">Acts 8:10</a></b></br> To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/26-25.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-12.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/daniel/6-23.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/amos/6-8.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/jonah/1-5.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/amos/9-4.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/amos/8-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/jeremiah/44-12.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/joel/1-8.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/amos/9-9.htm">Least</a> <a href="/jonah/3-4.htm">Nineveh</a> <a href="/jonah/3-4.htm">Nin'eveh</a> <a href="/luke/11-30.htm">Ninevites</a> <a href="/jonah/3-2.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/jonah/3-4.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/amos/8-10.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/jonah/3-1.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">Belief</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/matthew/8-13.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">Declared</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-14.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/nahum/2-7.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">Food</a> <a href="/matthew/13-32.htm">Greatest</a> <a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Haircloth</a> <a href="/matthew/2-6.htm">Least</a> <a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Nineveh</a> <a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Nin'eveh</a> <a href="/luke/11-30.htm">Ninevites</a> <a href="/micah/3-5.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/jonah/3-7.htm">Proclaimed</a> <a href="/jonah/3-6.htm">Sackcloth</a> <a href="/micah/2-3.htm">Time</a><div class="vheading2">Jonah 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jonah/3-1.htm">Jonah, sent again, preaches to the Ninevites.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">Upon their repentance,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/jonah/3-10.htm">God relents.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its wickedness and brutality. The belief in God here signifies a recognition of His authority and power, a remarkable shift for a pagan city. This belief is not just intellectual assent but involves a deep conviction leading to action. The Ninevites' response can be seen as a fulfillment of God's desire for repentance, as seen in <a href="/ezekiel/18-23.htm">Ezekiel 18:23</a>, where God expresses no pleasure in the death of the wicked but rather that they turn from their ways and live. This moment also prefigures the universal call to repentance found in the New Testament, where salvation is extended beyond Israel to all nations.<p><b>They proclaimed a fast</b><br>Fasting in the ancient Near East was a common expression of mourning, repentance, and humility before a deity. By proclaiming a fast, the Ninevites demonstrate their earnestness in seeking forgiveness and averting the impending judgment. This act of fasting is a communal response, indicating a collective acknowledgment of sin and a desire for change. In the Bible, fasting is often associated with seeking God's favor, as seen in <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a>, where the people are called to return to God with fasting, weeping, and mourning.<p><b>and dressed in sackcloth,</b><br>Sackcloth, a coarse material usually made from goat's hair, was traditionally worn as a sign of mourning and penitence. The wearing of sackcloth by the Ninevites symbolizes their humility and contrition before God. This practice is seen throughout the Bible, such as in <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a>, where Jacob mourns for Joseph, and in <a href="/esther/4.htm">Esther 4:1</a>, where Mordecai dons sackcloth in response to the edict against the Jews. The use of sackcloth underscores the sincerity of the Ninevites' repentance.<p><b>from the greatest of them to the least.</b><br>The phrase indicates that the response to Jonah's message was universal across all social strata in Nineveh. This inclusivity highlights the comprehensive nature of their repentance, with everyone from the king to the common people participating. It reflects the biblical principle that all are equal before God, as seen in <a href="/galatians/3-28.htm">Galatians 3:28</a>, where there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for all are one in Christ Jesus. The collective repentance of Nineveh serves as a powerful example of how a community can turn from sin and seek God's mercy.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jonah.htm">Jonah</a></b><br>A prophet of God who was initially reluctant to deliver God's message to Nineveh but eventually obeyed after being swallowed by a great fish.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nineveh.htm">Nineveh</a></b><br>The capital city of Assyria, known for its wickedness and idolatry. It was a significant city in the ancient world, both in size and influence.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_people_of_nineveh.htm">The People of Nineveh</a></b><br>The inhabitants of Nineveh who responded to Jonah's message with belief and repentance, demonstrating a collective turning to God.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The sovereign deity who sent Jonah to Nineveh with a message of impending judgment, offering the opportunity for repentance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/fasting_and_sackcloth.htm">Fasting and Sackcloth</a></b><br>Traditional expressions of mourning and repentance in the ancient Near East, symbolizing humility and contrition before God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>Despite Jonah's initial reluctance, the message he delivered was powerful enough to bring an entire city to repentance. This underscores the transformative power of God's Word when faithfully proclaimed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_as_a_community_act.htm">Repentance as a Community Act</a></b><br>The collective response of Nineveh, from the greatest to the least, illustrates the importance of communal repentance and the impact it can have on society.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_before_god.htm">Humility Before God</a></b><br>The Ninevites' use of sackcloth and fasting demonstrates a posture of humility and submission, essential attitudes for genuine repentance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_mercy_and_compassion.htm">God's Mercy and Compassion</a></b><br>The willingness of God to relent from disaster upon seeing Nineveh's repentance highlights His merciful nature and desire for all to turn from their wicked ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/urgency_of_repentance.htm">Urgency of Repentance</a></b><br>The immediate response of the Ninevites serves as a reminder of the urgency with which we should respond to God's call to repentance in our own lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_jonah_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Jonah 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nineveh_respond_so_quickly.htm">Jonah 3:5 – What evidence exists that an entire city as vast as Nineveh would respond so quickly and fully to a single prophet's warning? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_fasting.htm">What does the Bible say about fasting?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_nineveh's_repentance.htm">Jonah 4:11 – Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that Nineveh underwent such widespread repentance to justify Jonah’s reaction in this chapter?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_isaiah_58_8's_healing_promise_symbolic.htm">Isaiah 58:8 – Does the promise of healing for proper fasting have any scientific or historical evidence, or is it purely religious symbolism? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/jonah/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Believed God.</span>--Or, <span class= "ital">believed in God.</span> Notice again an implied contrast to the dulness of the Jews, who were "slow to believe" the prophetic warnings addressed to themselves.<p><span class= "bld">Proclaimed a fast.</span>--Apparently on a spontaneous resolution of the people themselves. (See Note to <a href="/jonah/3-6.htm" title="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.">Jonah 3:6</a>.) The fast would no doubt be for one day, according to the Jewish and the general Oriental custom.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/jonah/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 5-9.</span> § 3. <span class="accented">The Ninevites hearken to the cry of Jonah, believe in God, and repent.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Believed God;</span> <span class="accented">believed in God</span>, which implies trust and hope; Vulgate, <span class="accented">crediderunt in Deum.</span> 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 to expect calamity, and anxious to avert it by any means. Other considerations led to the same result. They had heard much of the God of the Hebrews, much of the doings of his great prophets Elijah and Elisha; and now they had in their midst one of these holy men, who, as they were informed, had been miraculously preserved from death in order to carry his message to them; for that it was thus that Jonah was "a sign unto the Ninevites" (<a href="/luke/11-30.htm">Luke 11:30</a>) seems most certain. They saw the Divine inspiration beaming in his look, dictating his utterance, animating his bearing, filling him with courage, confidence, and faith. The credulity with which they received the announcements of their own seers, their national predilection for presages and omens, encouraged them to open their ears to this stranger, and to regard his mission with grave attention. Their own conscience, too, was on the prophet's side, and assisted his words with its powerful pleading. <span class="cmt_word">So they believed in God, and proclaimed a fast.</span> Spontaneously, without any special order from the authorities. Before the final fall of Nineveh, the inscriptions mention, the then king ordered a fast of one hundred days and nights to the gods in order to avert the threatened danger (see a note by Professor Sayce, in G. Smith's 'History of Babylon,' p. 156). <span class="cmt_word">Put on sackcloth</span> (comp. <a href="/genesis/37-34.htm">Genesis 37:34</a>; <a href="/1_kings/21-27.htm">1 Kings 21:27</a>; <a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Joel 1:13</a>). The custom of changing the dress in token of mourning was not confined to the Hebrews (comp. <a href="/ezekiel/26-16.htm">Ezekiel 26:16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/jonah/3-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And the Ninevites</span><br /><span class="heb">נִֽינְוֵ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(nî·nə·wêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5210.htm">Strong's 5210: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nineveh -- capital of Assyr</span><br /><br /><span class="word">believed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיַּאֲמִ֛ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·’ă·mî·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_539.htm">Strong's 539: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confirm, support</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God.</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּֽאלֹהִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(bê·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They proclaimed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְרְאוּ־</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·rə·’ū-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a fast</span><br /><span class="heb">צוֹם֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṣō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6685.htm">Strong's 6685: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fasting, a fast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and dressed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּלְבְּשׁ֣וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·bə·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3847.htm">Strong's 3847: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrap around, to put on a, garment, clothe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in sackcloth,</span><br /><span class="heb">שַׂקִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(śaq·qîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8242.htm">Strong's 8242: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mesh, coarse loose cloth, sacking, a bag</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the greatest</span><br /><span class="heb">מִגְּדוֹלָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(mig·gə·ḏō·w·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1419.htm">Strong's 1419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Great, older, insolent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them to</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַד־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the least.</span><br /><span class="heb">קְטַנָּֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(qə·ṭan·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/jonah/3-5.htm">Jonah 3:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/jonah/3-5.htm">OT Prophets: Jonah 3:5 The people of Nineveh believed God (Jon. Jh) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/jonah/3-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Jonah 3:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Jonah 3:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/jonah/3-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Jonah 3:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Jonah 3:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>