Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:

JONAH 4:10KJV
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Jonah 4:10 (KJV)

What does Jonah 4:10 mean?

Jonah 4:10 records God speaking to Jonah, pointing out that Jonah cared about a plant that he did not work for or cause to grow, which appeared and died quickly. God uses this to highlight how Jonah’s concern for the plant contrasts with his lack of compassion for the people of Nineveh.

In this verse, the LORD (God) is addressing Jonah after Jonah becomes upset over the death of a plant (called a "gourd" in the KJV) that had given him shade. God reminds Jonah that he had pity on the plant, even though Jonah had no part in its creation or growth, and it was only temporary. This sets up God’s lesson about mercy and perspective.

The Hebrew behind Jonah 4:10

  • "pity" (חָמַל, ḥāmal): This word means to have compassion or to show concern. God points out that Jonah felt this kind of compassion for a mere plant, highlighting the contrast with his attitude toward people.
  • "gourd" (קִיקָיוֹן, qîqāyôn): This is a unique word in the Hebrew Bible, referring to a specific kind of plant. The exact species is debated, but the focus is on its sudden appearance and disappearance, showing how temporary it was.
  • "laboured" (עָמַל, ʿāmal): This word means to work or toil. God emphasizes that Jonah did nothing to bring about the plant, underscoring how little investment Jonah had in it.
  • "grow" (גָּדַל, gādal): This word means to make great or to grow. God reminds Jonah that he did not cause the plant to grow, again stressing Jonah’s lack of involvement.
  • "night" (בֶּן־לַיְלָה, ben-laylāh): Literally "son of the night," this phrase is a Hebrew way of saying "overnight" or "in a single night." It emphasizes how quickly the plant both appeared and disappeared.
  • "perished" (אָבַד, ʾābad): This word means to perish or be destroyed. The plant’s quick end is highlighted to show how fleeting it was.

Why Jonah 4:10 matters

  • Jonah 4:10 clears up that Jonah’s strong feelings were for something very temporary and insignificant compared to human lives, sharpening the contrast God is about to make.
  • The verse prepares the reader for God’s lesson in the next verse, where God explains why He has compassion for the people of Nineveh.
  • Jonah 4:10 helps the reader see the irony in Jonah’s attitude: he grieves over a plant but struggles to accept God’s mercy toward an entire city.

Where else these words appear

“gourd” Hebrew H7021 · used in 4 verses

  • Jonah 4:6 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.
  • Jonah 4:7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
  • Jonah 4:9 And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.

“laboured” Hebrew H5998 · used in 11 verses

  • Psalms 127:1 A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.

“pity” Hebrew H2347 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 45:20 Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.
  • Nehemiah 13:22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should come and keep the gates, to sanctify the sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy.
  • Ezekiel 8:18 Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

“grow” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 10:15 Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith? or shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it? as if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself, as if it were no wood.