So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.

JONAH 3:5KJV
Know the Bible

Jonah 3:5 (KJV)

What does Jonah 3:5 mean?

Jonah 3:5 describes how the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s warning by believing God, declaring a fast, and wearing sackcloth as a sign of their seriousness and humility, from the most important people to the least. This verse shows a city-wide reaction, where everyone participates in turning toward God after hearing Jonah’s message.

Jonah had just delivered a message from God warning Nineveh of coming judgment. The verse highlights that the entire population, regardless of social status, took the warning seriously. Their actions—fasting and wearing sackcloth—were traditional ways in the ancient world to show sorrow, humility, and a desire to change.

The Hebrew behind Jonah 3:5

  • "Believed" (הֶאֱמִין, he'emin): This word means to trust or put faith in. The verse emphasizes that the people of Nineveh did not just hear Jonah’s words, but truly accepted them as coming from God.
  • "Sackcloth" (שַׂק, saq): Sackcloth was a rough, uncomfortable fabric, often worn during times of mourning or repentance. The people’s choice to wear it signals deep humility and a public display of their desire for mercy.
  • "From the greatest...to the least" (מִגְּדוֹלָם וְעַד קְטַנָּם, migdolam ve'ad qetanam): This phrase stresses that everyone in Nineveh, regardless of rank or age, responded in the same way, showing a unified and total response.

Why Jonah 3:5 matters

  • Jonah 3:5 clears up the idea that only a few people responded; instead, it shows a complete and immediate city-wide reaction to God’s warning.
  • The verse emphasizes that true belief leads to visible action, not just inward agreement, as seen in the fasting and sackcloth.
  • This verse sets up the rest of the chapter, showing why God’s mercy becomes possible—the people’s response is genuine and collective.

Where else these words appear

“Nineveh” Hebrew H5210 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 10:11 Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,
  • Jonah 3:2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.
  • Jonah 4:11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?

“fast” Hebrew H6685 · used in 22 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth.
  • Esther 9:31 To confirm these days of Purim in their times appointed, according as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had enjoined them, and as they had decreed for themselves and for their seed, the matters of the fastings and their cry.
  • Jeremiah 36:6 Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

“sackcloth” Hebrew H8242 · used in 46 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 9:1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them.
  • Isaiah 50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

“least” Hebrew H6996 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 1:16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
  • 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 31:15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: