Jonah 4:2
King James Version
7 Jun 2026
“And he prayed unto the Lord, and said, I pray thee, O Lord, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.”
דָּבָר
In Hebrew, dabar is not just a word spoken — it is a word that accomplishes something. God's dabar does not return empty. The psalmist says this word is a lamp to his feet — not a floodlight revealing everything ahead, but enough light for the next step. That is faith.
הָיָה
was/ I
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הָיָה
I AM. Hayah. The self-existent one. When Moses asked God His name God said I AM THAT I AM. Not I was or I will be but I AM. Always present always existing always enough. Jesus used the same words: before Abraham was I AM.
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כֵּן
-fore
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כֵּן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles)
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חֵסֵד
Mercy
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חֵסֵד
Love, loving kindness, covenant love. Hesed. The most beautiful word in the Hebrew Bible. Loyal steadfast unfailing love that goes far beyond what is required. God's hesed endures forever.
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תַּרְשִׁישׁ
Tarshish/ towards
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תַּרְשִׁישׁ
Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a Persian and of an Israelite
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יָדַע
I knew
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יָדַע
To know, to perceive, to be acquainted with. Yada. The deepest form of knowing. God knows you completely and loves you still.
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עַל
there-
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עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
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יְהֹוָה
O Yahweh
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יְהֹוָה
LORD. Yahweh. The covenant name of God. I AM WHO I AM. The self-existent eternal One who was is and always will be.
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עַד
until
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עַד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
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קָדַם
I did the first time
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קָדַם
to project (one self), i.e. precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten, meet (usually for help)
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זֶה
was this
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זֶה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
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רַחוּם
Merciful
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רַחוּם
compassionate
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חַנּוּן
Gracious
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חַנּוּן
gracious
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