Tag Archives: Jonah 4:2

Introduction to Jonah 4:2 Jonah 4:2 records Jonah’s prayer of frustration, in which he expresses his displeasure with God’s mercy toward Nineveh. This verse contains a structured complaint, using rhetorical questions, causal clauses, and divine attributes to highlight Jonah’s expectations and disappointment. The syntax of this verse follows a standard prophetic lament format, with: A direct appeal to YHWH (וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֨ל אֶל־יְהוָ֜ה, “And he prayed to YHWH”). A rhetorical question expressing frustration (הֲלֹוא־זֶ֣ה דְבָרִ֗י, “Is this not what I said?”). A causal clause explaining Jonah’s reasoning (כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי כִּ֤י אַתָּה֙ אֵֽל־חַנּ֣וּן וְרַח֔וּם, “For I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God”).… Learn Hebrew