Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was a very large city for that day. It was about 96 kilometers (60 miles) around and had a population of about 120,000 (see Jonah 4:11). Nineveh was known to be a very wicked city. Jonah 3–4 records what the people did when Jonah told them they would be destroyed because of their wickedness, and how Jonah reacted to their response. Notice what they did and what Jonah learned from his mission as well.
Understanding the Scriptures
Jonah 3
| The preaching that I bid thee (v. 2) | The message I sent you to give | |
| Three days’ journey (v. 3) | Taking three days to walk across | |
| Sackcloth (vv. 5, 6, 8) | Rough clothing worn to show humility or sadness | |
| Sat in ashes (v. 6) | A sign of humility or sadness |
Jonah 3:9–10—Does God Need to Repent?
Notice the Joseph Smith Translation for Jonah 3:9–10.
Jonah 4
| Was this not my saying (v. 2) | Didn’t I say you would do this | |
| Gracious, merciful (v. 2) | Forgiving through the power of the Atonement | |
| Deliver him from his grief (v. 6) | Make him feel better | |
| Withered (v. 7) | Died | |
| Vehement (v. 8) | Very hot | |
| Pity (v. 10) | Felt sorry for | |
| Sixscore thousand (v. 11) | 120,000 | |
| Cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand (v. 11) | Do not know right from wrong |
Studying the Scriptures
Do activities A–C as you study Jonah 3–4.
Write a Proclamation
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A Proclamation to the People of Nineveh |
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Jonah 3:5–8 says that when the king heard Jonah’s message he made a proclamation to the people. Based on what you read in Jonah 3, write what you think the proclamation might have said and what you know about the people of Nineveh.
What Was He Thinking?
Describe how Jonah may have felt about what God did in Jonah 3:10 and why you think he may have felt that way.
What’s the Point?
Tell what you think the message of the book of Jonah is (you can choose more than one).
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