And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:

JONAH 3:7KJV
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Jonah 3:7 (KJV)

What does Jonah 3:7 mean?

Jonah 3:7 describes how the king of Nineveh made an official announcement, commanding that no person or animal, including herds and flocks, was allowed to eat or drink anything. This decree was a public call for everyone in the city, both humans and animals, to participate in a fast as a response to Jonah’s warning.

In this verse, the king and his nobles issue a proclamation throughout Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, after hearing Jonah’s message of coming judgment. The command is unusual in that it includes not just people but also animals, showing the seriousness and totality of the city’s repentance. The verse sets the stage for the city’s dramatic response to Jonah’s preaching.

The Hebrew behind Jonah 3:7

  • "Proclaimed" (זָעַק, za‘aq) means to cry out or make a loud announcement. Here, it emphasizes the urgency and public nature of the king’s command.
  • "Decree" (דָּת, dat) refers to an official law or edict. This word shows that the fast was not just a suggestion but a binding order from the highest authority.
  • "Man" (אָדָם, adam) and "beast" (בְּהֵמָה, behemah) together highlight that the fast was all-encompassing, affecting every living thing in the city, not just the people.
  • "Taste" (טָעַם, ta‘am) means to eat or sample food. The command not to "taste any thing" stresses complete abstinence, not even a small amount of food or drink.

Why Jonah 3:7 matters

  • Jonah 3:7 shows the extraordinary seriousness with which the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s warning, going so far as to include animals in their fast.
  • The verse highlights the authority of the king and his nobles, making clear that this was a city-wide, official act of repentance, not just a personal or private response.
  • By including both humans and animals, the verse underscores the totality of Nineveh’s response and sets up the dramatic change in the city’s fate that follows in the story.

Where else these words appear

“taste” Hebrew H2938 · used in 10 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:24 And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.
  • 2 Samuel 3:35 And when all the people came to cause David to eat meat while it was yet day, David sware, saying, So do God to me, and more also, if I taste bread, or ought else, till the sun be down.
  • Job 34:3 For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat.

“decree” Hebrew H2940 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 16:31 And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.
  • 1 Samuel 25:33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
  • Psalms 119:66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

“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?

“thing” Hebrew H3972 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand.
  • 2 Samuel 13:2 And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do any thing to her.