jonah-4:4-8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:7

But God prepared a worm - By being eaten through the root, the plant, losing its nourishment, would soon wither; and this was the case in the present instance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:8

A vehement east wind - Which was of itself of a parching, withering nature; and the sun, in addition, made it intolerable. These winds are both scorching and suffocating in the East, for deserts of burning sand lay to the east or south-east; and the easterly winds often brought such a multitude of minute particles of sand on their wings, as to add greatly to the mischief. I believe these, and the sands they carry, are the cause of the ophthalmia which prevails so much both in Egypt and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:4

Verse 4 There is no doubt but that God by thus reproving Jonah condemns his intemperate warmth. But since God alone is a fit judge of man’s conduct, there is no reason for us to boast that we are influenced by good intentions; for there is nothing more fallacious than our own balances. When therefore we weigh facts, deeds, and thoughts by our own judgment, we deceive ourselves. Were any disposed rhetorically to defend the conduct of Jonah, he might certainly muster up many specious pretenses;... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:5

Verse 5 It may be here doubted whether Jonah had waited till the forty days had passed, and whether that time had arrived; for if we say that he went out of the city before the fortieth day, another question arises, how could he have known what would be? for we have not yet found that he had been informed by any oracular communication. But the words which we have noticed intimate that it was then known by the event itself, that God had spared the city from destruction; for in the last lecture... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:6

Verse 6 Before I proceed to treat on the contents of these verses, I will say a few things on the word קיקיון, kikiun; for there were formerly some disputes respecting this word. Some render it, a gourd; (eucurbitam) others think it to have been a cucumber. Free conjectures are commonly made respecting obscure and unknown things. However, the first rendering has been the received one: and Augustine says, that a tumult arose in some church, when the Bishop rend the new interpretation of Jerome,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:7

Verse 7 But it is said afterwards that a worm was prepared. We see here also, that what seemed to happen by chance was yet directed by the hidden providence of God. Should any one say, that what is here narrated does not commonly happen, but what once happened; to this I answer, — that though God then designed to exhibit a wonderful example, worthy of being remembered, it is yet ever true that the gnawing even of worms are directed by the counsel of God, so that neither a herb nor a tree... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:8

Verse 8 It is now added, that when the sun arose the day following, a wind was prepared. We here learn the same thing, — that winds do not of themselves rise, or by chance, but are stirred up by a Divine power. There may indeed be found causes in nature why now the air is tranquil, and then it is disturbed by winds; but God’s purpose regulates all these intermediate causes; so that this is ever true — that nature is not some blind impulse, but a law settled by the will of God. God then ever... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

1 . Jonah is grieved at the sparing of Nineveh, the expectation of which had led to his former flight, and complains of God's clemency. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

A misanthrope's case against Divine benevolence. It takes a good deal to make a man of God perfect. After a whole life's discipline the old man of sin will sometimes show his baleful features at the window of the soul. Jonah has just been figuring to our mind as a changed character, returned to his allegiance, going God's errand promptly, and doing his work with faithful zeal. But here he forfeits our good opinion, almost before it has had time to form. The patient's cure has been only... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-5

Jonah's grief. There "sat" Jonah, watching, displeased with the Ninevites' preservation, grieved at the gentle dealings of their Preserver. And God's only rebuke of him was the gentle question, "Doest thou well to be angry?" In his mood and conduct let us read our own. I. OUR DISPLEASURE . Have we never been displeased with God's ways? It may have been as patriots. It is easy to be resigned to judgments that come upon our country's enemies. We must beware—beware lest we encourage... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:5

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Jonah 4:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Jonah 4:1-5

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