Add parallel Print Page Options

Jonah’s Anger and the Lord’s Compassion

Now this greatly displeased Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is this not what I said while I was still in my own land? This is the reason that I fled before to Tarshish, because I knew that You are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in faithfulness, and ready to relent from punishment. Therefore, Lord, take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

Then the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

Read full chapter

Jonah Is Angry at Yahweh’s Compassion

And this[a] was greatly displeasing[b] to Jonah, and he became furious.[c] And he prayed to Yahweh and said, “O Yahweh, was this not what I said[d] while I was in my homeland? Therefore I originally fled[e] to Tarshish, because I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and having great steadfast love,[f] and one who relents concerning calamity.[g] And so then, Yahweh, please take my life from me, because for me death is better than life!” And Yahweh said, “Is it right for you to be angry?”[h]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Jonah 4:1 Hebrew “it”
  2. Jonah 4:1 Literally “was displeasing with great displeasure”
  3. Jonah 4:1 Literally “it was hot for him”
  4. Jonah 4:2 Literally “my word”
  5. Jonah 4:2 Literally “I did the first time to flee”
  6. Jonah 4:2 Literally “and great of steadfast love”
  7. Jonah 4:2 That is, calamity sent by God as judgment
  8. Jonah 4:4 Literally “Rightfully is it hot for you”; some take this to mean “Are you so very angry?” (Targum Jonah 4:4; see also JPS, NEB, NET)