New International Version Then the LORD God provided a leafy plant and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the plant. New Living Translation And the LORD God arranged for a leafy plant to grow there, and soon it spread its broad leaves over Jonah’s head, shading him from the sun. This eased his discomfort, and Jonah was very grateful for the plant. English Standard Version Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant. Berean Standard Bible So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. Berean Literal Bible And YHWH God appointed a qiqayon, and He made it come up above Jonah to be shade over his head to deliver him from his trouble. And Jonah was glad about the plant with great joy. King James Bible And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. New King James Version And the LORD God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be shade for his head to deliver him from his misery. So Jonah was very grateful for the plant. New American Standard Bible So the LORD God designated a plant, and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head, to relieve him of his discomfort. And Jonah was overjoyed about the plant. NASB 1995 So the LORD God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant. NASB 1977 So the LORD God appointed a plant and it grew up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about the plant. Legacy Standard Bible So Yahweh God appointed a plant, and it came up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to deliver him from his miserable evil. And Jonah was extremely glad about the plant. Amplified Bible So the LORD God prepared a plant and it grew up over Jonah, to be a shade over his head to spare him from discomfort. And Jonah was extremely happy about [the protection of] the plant. Berean Annotated Bible So the LORD God {YHWH Elohim} appointed a vine {qiqayon}, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s (dove) head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew over Jonah to provide shade for his head to rescue him from his trouble. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort. Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. American Standard Version And Jehovah God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his evil case. So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd. Contemporary English Version The LORD made a vine grow up to shade Jonah's head and protect him from the sun. Jonah was very happy to have the vine, English Revised Version And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his evil case. So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd. GOD'S WORD® Translation The LORD God made a plant grow up beside Jonah to give him shade and make him more comfortable. Jonah was very happy with the plant. Good News Translation Then the LORD God made a plant grow up over Jonah to give him some shade, so that he would be more comfortable. Jonah was extremely pleased with the plant. International Standard Version The LORD God prepared a vine plant, and it grew over Jonah to shade his head and provide relief from his misery. Jonah was happy—indeed, he was ecstatic—about the vine plant. NET Bible The LORD God appointed a little plant and caused it to grow up over Jonah to be a shade over his head to rescue him from his misery. Now Jonah was very delighted about the little plant. New Heart English Bible The LORD God prepared a vine, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the vine. Webster's Bible Translation And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. World English Bible Yahweh God prepared a vine and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head to deliver him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the vine. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd YHWH God appoints a gourd, and causes it to come up over Jonah, to be a shade over his head, to give deliverance to him from his affliction, and Jonah rejoices because of the gourd [with] great joy. Berean Literal Bible And YHWH God appointed a qiqayon, and He made it come up above Jonah to be shade over his head to deliver him from his trouble. And Jonah was glad about the plant with great joy. Young's Literal Translation And Jehovah God appointeth a gourd, and causeth it to come up over Jonah, to be a shade over his head, to give deliverance to him from his affliction, and Jonah rejoiceth because of the gourd with great joy. Smith's Literal Translation And Jehovah God will appoint a gourd, and it will come up from above to Jonah to be a shadow over his head to deliver to him from his evil. And Jonah will rejoice over the gourd with great joy. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the Lord God prepared an ivy, and it came up over the head of Jonas, to be a shadow over his head, and to cover him (for he was fatigued): and Jonas was exceeding glad of the ivy. Catholic Public Domain Version And the Lord God prepared an ivy, and it ascended over the head of Jonah so as to be a shadow over his head, and to protect him (for he had labored hard). And Jonah rejoiced because of the ivy, with great rejoicing. New American Bible Then the LORD God provided a gourd plant. And when it grew up over Jonah’s head, giving shade that relieved him of any discomfort, Jonah was greatly delighted with the plant. New Revised Standard Version The LORD God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the LORD God commanded a tender shoot of gourd to spring up, and it sprang up and came over Jonah, and became a shade over his head, and comforted him of his grief. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the gourd. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And LORD JEHOVAH commanded a shoot of a gourd and it sprouted and it came up over Yonan and there was shade on his head, and it relieved him from his calamity, and Yonan rejoiced for the shoot of the gourd with great joy OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his evil. So Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd. Brenton Septuagint Translation And the Lord God commanded a gourd, and it came up over the head of Jonas, to be a shadow over his head, to shade him from his calamities: and Jonas rejoiced with great joy for the gourd. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Jonah's Anger at the LORD's Compassion…5Then Jonah left the city and sat down east of it, where he made himself a shelter and sat in its shade to see what would happen to the city. 6So the LORD God appointed a vine, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. 7When dawn came the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant so that it withered.… Cross References So the LORD God appointed a vine, Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the fish. Psalm 104:14 He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: Genesis 1:11-12 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. / The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head Isaiah 4:6 a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and the rain. Psalm 121:5-6 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. / The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. Daniel 4:12 Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed. to ease his discomfort, Isaiah 49:10 They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. Revelation 7:16 ‘Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat.’ Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree that is pleasing to the eye and good for food. And in the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Psalm 92:4 For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Ecclesiastes 2:24 Nothing is better for a man than to eat and drink and enjoy his work. I have also seen that this is from the hand of God. Genesis 21:15-19 When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes. / Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. / Then God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “What is wrong, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he lies. … Exodus 34:6 Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, Psalm 103:8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a refuge for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like rain against a wall, Treasury of Scripture And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd. the Lord. Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights. Psalm 103:10-14 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities… gourd. So. Esther 5:9 Then went Haman forth that day joyful and with a glad heart: but when Haman saw Mordecai in the king's gate, that he stood not up, nor moved for him, he was full of indignation against Mordecai. Proverbs 23:5 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Isaiah 39:2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not. was exceeding glad. Jump to Previous Affliction Appointed Appointeth Causeth Deliver Deliverance Ease Elohim Evil Exceeding Exceedingly Extremely Glad Gourd Grew Grief Grow Head Jonah Plant Prepared Rejoiceth Save Shade Shadow Trouble VineJump to Next Affliction Appointed Appointeth Causeth Deliver Deliverance Ease Elohim Evil Exceeding Exceedingly Extremely Glad Gourd Grew Grief Grow Head Jonah Plant Prepared Rejoiceth Save Shade Shadow Trouble VineJonah 4 1. Jonah repining at God's mercy,4. is reproved by the type of a withering vine. So the LORD God appointed a vine, God sovereignly provided a plant for Jonah, just as He had provided the fish and would later appoint the worm and the scorching wind. The vine grew by God’s command, demonstrating His care for Jonah even while the prophet remained angry over Nineveh’s deliverance. Jon 1:17 Now the LORD had appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah… and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head Outside Nineveh, Jonah sat exposed to the intense heat, waiting to see what would become of the city. The plant gave him needed shelter from the sun and relieved the misery of his situation. Isa 4:6 a shelter to give shade from the heat by day… to ease his discomfort, God addressed Jonah’s physical distress while also preparing to expose the deeper disorder of his heart. The comfort was a gift Jonah had neither earned nor produced. Isa 49:10 They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat… and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant. Jonah rejoiced over the relief the vine brought him, yet he had shown no joy over the repentance and preservation of Nineveh’s people. His response revealed how strongly he valued his own comfort while resisting God’s compassion for others. Gen 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God gave growth to every tree… Persons / Places / Events 1. JonahA prophet of God who was initially reluctant to deliver God's message to Nineveh. In this chapter, he is outside the city, waiting to see what will happen to it. 2. The LORD God The sovereign Creator who appoints the plant to provide Jonah with comfort, demonstrating His control over creation and His compassion. 3. The Plant Appointed by God to provide shade for Jonah, symbolizing God's provision and mercy. The Hebrew word used here is (qiqayon), which is often translated as "gourd" or "vine." 4. Nineveh The city to which Jonah was sent to prophesy. Its repentance led to God's mercy, which Jonah struggled to accept. 5. The East Wind and the Sun Later in the chapter, God appoints a scorching east wind and the sun to beat down on Jonah, further illustrating His control over nature and His lessons for Jonah. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and ProvisionGod is in control of all creation and uses it to fulfill His purposes. He provides for our needs, often in unexpected ways. God's Compassion and Mercy Just as God showed mercy to Nineveh, He also showed compassion to Jonah through the plant. We should reflect on God's mercy in our own lives. Human Discontent and God's Lessons Jonah's reaction to the plant reveals human tendencies toward discontent. God uses circumstances to teach us deeper truths about His character and our own hearts. Temporary Comforts and Eternal Truths The plant was a temporary comfort for Jonah, reminding us to seek eternal truths and not rely solely on temporary comforts. Gratitude for God's Gifts Jonah's pleasure in the plant should remind us to be grateful for God's gifts, recognizing them as expressions of His love and care. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jonah 4:6?2. How does Jonah 4:6 illustrate God's provision and mercy towards Jonah? 3. Why did God provide the plant to "shade his head" in Jonah 4:6? 4. How can we recognize God's provision in our lives like Jonah 4:6? 5. What other scriptures show God's care for His people as in Jonah 4:6? 6. How should we respond to God's blessings, as seen in Jonah 4:6? 7. Why did God provide a plant for Jonah's comfort in Jonah 4:6? 8. What does Jonah 4:6 reveal about God's compassion and mercy? 9. How does Jonah 4:6 challenge our understanding of divine intervention? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jonah 4? (6) Prepared.--See Note, Jonah 1:17. A gourd.--So the LXX. render the Hebrew qiqaion, which, since the time of Jerome, has been usually identified with the Arabic el keroa, the castor-oil tree (Ricinus communis, or Palma Christi; see margin). It is a large shrub, having large palmate leaves, with serrated lobes, and spikes of blossoms which produce the seed, whence the well-known medicinal oil is extracted, in small rough husks. The strongest argument in favour of this view is the proposed derivation of the Hebrew name from the Egyptian kiki, and the rabbinical name for castor-oil, kiki-oil.[22] In spite of this etymological argument, Dr. Tristram says: "Practical reasons cause me to lean strongly to the rendering of our English version, gourd, i.e., the bottle gourd (Cucurbita pepo). In Palestine the vernacularnames are almost identical in sound, "kurah" being the gourd, "khurwah" the castor-oil tree. But the gourd is very commonly employed in Palestine for the purpose of shading arbours. Its rapid growth and large leaves render it admirably adapted for training on trellis-work . . . But the plant withers as rapidly as it shoots, and after a storm or any injury to its stem, its fruit may be seen hanging from the leafless tendrils, which so lately concealed it, a type of melancholy desolation" (Nat Hist. of the Bible, p. 449). [22] A Semitic origin for the word is rendered probable by its discovery under the form, quqanitu, on a small tablet which the Babylonian king Marduk-bal-iddin (Merodach-baladan) ordered to be set in a garden. (See letters of Dr. F. Delitzsch, to the Athen?um of May 26th and June 9th, 1883.) Made it to come up.--Rather, it came up. Deliver.--In the original there is a play of words on this word and shadow. Verses 6, 7. - 3. God causes a plant to spring up in order to shade Jonah from the sun; but it is made soon to wither away and leave him exposed to the scorching rays. Verse 6. - Prepared (vers. 7, 8); appointed (see note on Jonah 1:17). A gourd; Hebrew, kikaion (here only in the Old Testament); Septuagint, κολοκύνθη," pumpkin;" Vulgate, hedera; Aquila and Theodotion, κυκεών. Jerome describes this as a shrub called in Syriac elkeroa, and common in the sandy regions of Palestine. It has large leaves and grows to a considerable height in a very few days, so that a mere shrub becomes quickly a small tree. The scientific name of this plant is Ricinus communis; in Egyptian, kiki; in Assyrian, kukanitu. A drawing of it is given in Dr Pusey's 'Commentary,' p 260. It is also known by the name of the Palma Christi, and from its seeds is expressed "castor oil." But it is very doubtful whether this is the plant intended. Certainly the ricinus is never used in the East as a protection against the sun, for which its straggling, open growth renders it unsuitable; while the gourd, as Mr. Tristram testifies ('Land of Israel,' p. 37), is used universally to form trellises for shading arbours and summer houses, and affords a most effectual screen. "Orientals," says Dr. Thomson ('The Land and the Book,' p. 15), "never dream of training a castor-oil plant overs booth, or planting it for a shade, and they would have but small respect for any one who did. It is in no way adapted for that purpose, while thousands of arbours are covered with various creepers of the general gourd family." With this testimony it is well to be satisfied. Whatever the plant was, its growth was abnormal in the present ease, though the rapidity with which it developed was merely a quickening of its ordinary powers, in due accordance with its nature and character. From his grief; Septuagint, ἀπὸ τῶν κακῶν αὐτοῦ, "from his evils;" Vulgate, ut... protegeret eum. The Hebrew word is the same as in ver. 1, and it refers, not so much to the physical discomfort occasioned by the heat, but rather to the condition of his mind, the vexation and disappointment under which he was suffering. We exceeding glad; literally, rejoiced a great joy; ἐχάρη χαρὰν μεγάλην (Septuagint). The candour and simplicity of the writer throughout are very remarkable. He may have seen in this providential shelter an intimation that God approved of his intention to wait and see the issue. Jonah 4:6 portrays a sovereign God who commands creation to serve His loving purposes. He appoints, accelerates growth, and provides tangible relief, all while revealing Jonah’s misplaced priorities. The verse challenges us to recognize God’s compassionate sovereignty in our lives and to match His heart for people, valuing His mercy above our comfort.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So the LORDיְהוָֽה־ (Yah·weh-) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel God אֱ֠לֹהִים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative appointed וַיְמַ֣ן (way·man) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4487: To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll a vine, קִיקָי֞וֹן (qî·qā·yō·wn) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7021: (a plant) perhaps castor-oil plant and it grew up וַיַּ֣עַל ׀ (way·ya·‘al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to provide לִֽהְי֥וֹת (lih·yō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be shade צֵל֙ (ṣêl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6738: A shadow over מֵעַ֣ל (mê·‘al) Preposition-m Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Jonah’s לְיוֹנָ֗ה (lə·yō·w·nāh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3124: Jonah -- an Israelite prophet head רֹאשׁ֔וֹ (rō·šōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7218: The head to ease לְהַצִּ֥יל (lə·haṣ·ṣîl) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct Strong's 5337: To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver his ל֖וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's Hebrew discomfort, מֵרָֽעָת֑וֹ (mê·rā·‘ā·ṯōw) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil and Jonah יוֹנָ֛ה (yō·w·nāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3124: Jonah -- an Israelite prophet was greatly גְדוֹלָֽה׃ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent pleased וַיִּשְׂמַ֥ח (way·yiś·maḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8055: To brighten up, be, blithe, gleesome with עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the plant. הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן (haq·qî·qā·yō·wn) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7021: (a plant) perhaps castor-oil plant Additonal Resources Jonah 4:6 Blue Letter BibleJonah 4:6 Bible Gateway Jonah 4:6 Bible.com Jonah 4:6 NIV |
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