Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The opening "And the word of the Lord came..." isn't just a transition; it’s a deliberate link. It connects Jonah's story to all the previous divine messages and historical accounts, subtly suggesting that even a mission to a foreign nation is part of God's unfolding, unified plan. This familiar opening highlights how this unexpected call to Nineveh is woven into the very fabric of Scripture.
Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This marks the beginning of a significant prophetic message directed at Jonah, a prophet from Israel. The opening phrase, "And the word of the Lord came," links this narrative to the ongoing history of God's communication with His people, but this time the divine directive is unusual: Jonah is commanded to go to Nineveh, the capital of the powerful Assyrian empire, and preach against its wickedness. This sets the stage for Jonah's famous act of defiance and the unfolding drama of divine mercy towards a Gentile nation.
Every great story has an opening line. For Jonah, it's not just any word, but the word of the LORD. How does this opening set the stage?
The phrase 'the word of the LORD came' isn't just a literary convention; it's a divine stamp of authority. It signifies that what follows is not man's idea or opinion, but a direct communication from the Creator of the universe.
A Divine Mandate
When the 'word of the LORD' comes, it demands attention and obedience. It's God initiating contact, conveying His will, and setting His agenda. This is how the Old Testament books often begin, linking each new revelation to the ongoing story of God's interaction with humanity.
More Than Just a Message
This isn't just a casual whisper; it's a powerful, life-altering decree. It carries the weight of God's sovereignty and the certainty of His purpose. For Jonah, this word would launch him into a mission that would test his faith and reveal God's boundless compassion.
The prophet's name is Jonah, meaning 'Dove.' Yet, his story is anything but peaceful. What's the significance of his name and his father's?
The names in Scripture often carry profound meaning, and Jonah's are no exception.
The Dove's Shadow
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Jonah's name means 'Dove.' Doves can symbolize peace, gentleness, and even mourning. However, for Jonah, this name takes on a tragic irony as his story unfolds into one of conflict, disobedience, and deep internal struggle rather than peace.
The Father's Truth
His father's name, Amittai, means 'the truth of God' or 'truth-telling.' This lineage highlights the expectation that Jonah, as a prophet and son of 'truth,' should embody and proclaim God's truth. Yet, his actions will starkly contrast with this heritage, revealing the human struggle even within God's messengers.
This juxtaposition of names points to the tension between God's perfect truth and the flawed humanity of His servants.
Understand the original words
dāḇār · Hebrew Noun
A reference to God's self-revelation and His direct communication of His will to His prophets. It implies divine authority and the expectation of obedience from the hearer.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the covenant God of Israel, YHWH, who is self-existent, faithful, and the Almighty Creator who enters into personal relationship with His people.
rāʿâ · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew term for wickedness, moral depravity, or rebellion against God's standards. It signifies both internal corruption and the external actions that flow from a heart turned away from God.
The opening of Jonah's story connects it to a rich prophetic tradition within Israel, while immediately setting it apart by its focus on a foreign, pagan city. Jonah's role as a prophet of restoration for Israel contrasts with his reluctant mission to Nineveh.
c. 793-753 BC
Jonah Prophesies During Jeroboam II's Reign
Jonah, son of Amittai, a prophet from Gath-hepher in the northern kingdom of Israel, prophesied during the prosperous reign of Jeroboam II. He foretold the restoration of Israel's borders.
c. 782 BC
Elisha's Death Prophecy
The prophet Elisha, near his death, foretold three victories over Syria to King Joash of Israel. This marks the beginning of Israel's resurgence.
c. 782 BC
Prophecy of Israel's Restoration
Jonah prophesied the restoration of Israel's territory, a message tied to God's deliverance of Israel from oppression, likely during the early years of Jeroboam II's reign.
c. 770 BC
Assyrian Empire Rises
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, based in northern Mesopotamia, began to expand its influence, posing a future threat to the region, including Israel and its formidable capital, Nineveh.
c. 755 BC— this verse
Jonah Commissioned to Nineveh
The word of the LORD came to Jonah, commanding him to go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against its wickedness. This marks the direct context of Jonah's mission.
c. 755 BC
Jonah Flees to Tarshish
Instead of obeying, Jonah fled from the presence of the LORD, heading in the opposite direction toward Tarshish, boarding a ship at Joppa.
This passage mirrors Jonah 1:1 by showing how God's call to a prophet often begins with the direct communication of His word, emphasizing the divine origin of the message.
Ezekiel 1:3Similar to Jonah's experience, Ezekiel also receives the word of the LORD, marking the start of his prophetic ministry and a direct divine commission.
1 Kings 17:8This verse parallels Jonah 1:1 by illustrating how the word of the LORD came to Elijah, initiating his prophetic mission and divine instructions.
Isaiah 6:8Although structured differently, this passage shows God's initiative in calling Isaiah to ministry after a heavenly encounter, much like the LORD's word coming to Jonah to direct his path.
barnesJonah 1:1: "Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,"
Now the word of the Lord - , literally, "And, ..." This is the way in which the several inspired writers of the Old Testament mark that what it was given them to write was united onto those sacred books which God had given to others to write, and it formed with them one continuous whole. The word, "And," implies this. It would do so in any language, and it does so in Hebrew as much as in any other. As neither we,…
ellicottJonah 1:1: "Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,"
JONAH’S DISOBEDIENCE AND PUNISHMENT. (1) Now . . .—More strictly, And; but the English quite adequately represents the Hebrew style of beginning a narrative, whether it formed a book by itself, or merely continued an historical account. (See the opening of Exodus, Leviticus, and other historical books; Ezekiel 1:1; and comp. 1Kings 17:1, &c.) Jonah the son of Amittai.—See Introduction.
The opening "And the word of the Lord came..." isn't just a transition; it’s a deliberate link. It connects Jonah's story to all the previous divine messages and historical accounts, subtly suggesting that even a mission to a foreign nation is part of God's unfolding, unified plan. This familiar opening highlights how this unexpected call to Nineveh is woven into the very fabric of Scripture.
This marks the beginning of a significant prophetic message directed at Jonah, a prophet from Israel. The opening phrase, "And the word of the Lord came," links this narrative to the ongoing history of God's communication with His people, but this time the divine directive is unusual: Jonah is commanded to go to Nineveh, the capital of the powerful Assyrian empire, and preach against its wickedness. This sets the stage for Jonah's famous act of defiance and the unfolding drama of divine mercy towards a Gentile nation.
This marks the beginning of a significant prophetic message directed at Jonah, a prophet from Israel. The opening phrase, "And the word of the Lord came," links this narrative to the ongoing history of God's communication with His people, but this time the divine directive is unusual: Jonah is commanded to go to Nineveh, the capital of the powerful Assyrian empire, and preach against its wickedness. This sets the stage for Jonah's famous act of defiance and the unfolding drama of divine mercy towards a Gentile nation.
"Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.”" — The opening "And the word of the Lord came..." isn't just a transition; it’s a deliberate link. It connects Jonah's story to all the previous divine messages and historical accounts, subtly suggestin…
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Last reviewed October 2026