Jonah 3:8 - but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal, and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Jonah 3:8" mean?
This verse from Jonah 3:8 describes the response of the people of Nineveh to Jonah's prophecy that their city would be destroyed. Let's break down what each part means:
"but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal": Sackcloth was a coarse, uncomfortable material typically made of goat hair. Wearing it was a sign of mourning, humility, and repentance. Including animals in this act of mourning emphasizes the depth and sincerity of the Ninevites' remorse. It suggests a city-wide acknowledgment of their sin that affects all aspects of life.
"and let them cry mightily to God": This signifies earnest, fervent prayer. It's not just a superficial act; it's a desperate plea for God's mercy and forgiveness. "Mightily" suggests a loud, heartfelt, and continuous cry.
"Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands": This is the key to genuine repentance. It's not enough to simply feel sorry; they must actively change their behavior. "Evil way" refers to their overall sinful lifestyle, while "violence that is in his hands" specifically addresses the harm they were inflicting on others. This highlights a direct connection between repentance and desisting from harmful actions.
In essence, the verse calls for:
Public demonstration of humility and sorrow: The sackcloth symbolizes their acknowledgment of their wrongdoing before God.
Intense and heartfelt prayer: They are to plead with God for mercy.
Genuine change of behavior: Repentance involves turning away from their sinful habits and, in particular, ceasing their violent actions.
Significance and Context:
The verse reveals the Ninevites' understanding that simply going through the motions of repentance isn't enough. They needed to demonstrate their remorse through visible actions and, more importantly, change their internal character and outward behavior.
This repentance is what leads God to relent from destroying Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). It illustrates the power of genuine repentance and God's willingness to forgive those who turn away from their sins. This verse also emphasizes that repentance isn't just a feeling but an action - a conscious decision to change one's way of life.
Jonah 3:8 - but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal, and let them cry mightily to God. Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands.
What does "Jonah 3:8" mean?
This verse from Jonah 3:8 describes the response of the people of Nineveh to Jonah's prophecy that their city would be destroyed. Let's break down what each part means:
"but let them be covered with sackcloth, both man and animal": Sackcloth was a coarse, uncomfortable material typically made of goat hair. Wearing it was a sign of mourning, humility, and repentance. Including animals in this act of mourning emphasizes the depth and sincerity of the Ninevites' remorse. It suggests a city-wide acknowledgment of their sin that affects all aspects of life.
"and let them cry mightily to God": This signifies earnest, fervent prayer. It's not just a superficial act; it's a desperate plea for God's mercy and forgiveness. "Mightily" suggests a loud, heartfelt, and continuous cry.
"Yes, let them turn everyone from his evil way, and from the violence that is in his hands": This is the key to genuine repentance. It's not enough to simply feel sorry; they must actively change their behavior. "Evil way" refers to their overall sinful lifestyle, while "violence that is in his hands" specifically addresses the harm they were inflicting on others. This highlights a direct connection between repentance and desisting from harmful actions.
In essence, the verse calls for:
Public demonstration of humility and sorrow: The sackcloth symbolizes their acknowledgment of their wrongdoing before God.
Intense and heartfelt prayer: They are to plead with God for mercy.
Genuine change of behavior: Repentance involves turning away from their sinful habits and, in particular, ceasing their violent actions.
Significance and Context:
The verse reveals the Ninevites' understanding that simply going through the motions of repentance isn't enough. They needed to demonstrate their remorse through visible actions and, more importantly, change their internal character and outward behavior.
This repentance is what leads God to relent from destroying Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). It illustrates the power of genuine repentance and God's willingness to forgive those who turn away from their sins. This verse also emphasizes that repentance isn't just a feeling but an action - a conscious decision to change one's way of life.