What Does Jonah 3:1 Mean in the King James?

And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,

Jonah 3:1 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The word that returns is both speech and a matter set before you again.

THE MEANING

The LORD’s word reaches you again; interruption does not erase its capacity to address you. Its return opens a fresh moment of response.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The belief that missing a first call means the word will never come again.

THE ROOT

דְּבַר

davar

GROWS FROM

דבר

davar

Speech, word, or matter.

The same root holds together what is spoken and the matter being spoken about. The word arriving here is more than sound: it brings something real into the present again.

ALSO GROWS

dibber: He spoke.

דִּבֵּר

This verbal form makes the connection between the arriving word and the act of speaking explicit.

devarim: Words or matters.

דְּבָרִים

This plural keeps speech and the things spoken of within one Hebrew word-family.

שֵׁנִית

shenit

GROWS FROM

שנה

shanah

To repeat or do again; also, to change.

The word for “second time” carries the sense of doing again. The return marks a renewed encounter, while the story has changed in the space between arrivals.

ALSO GROWS

shenayim: Two.

שְׁנַיִם

The language of “second” belongs to the same word-family as the number two.

shanah: A year.

שָׁנָה

A year marks a recurring cycle, echoing the root’s sense of something coming around again.

THE PATTERN

The word reaches its hearer again and opens another moment of encounter.

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 15:1 · KJVThe word arrives with a direct address that meets Abram where he is.

Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Jeremiah 1:4 · KJVThe word comes to its hearer as a present address, opening what follows.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 10:17 · KJVThe word reaches the hearer through hearing and becomes the ground of trust.

THE THREAD

Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,

Jonah 1:1 · KJV

Jonah 1:1 uses the same Hebrew ⁨דָּבָר⁩, davar, meaning “word” or “matter,” and the same arrival formula. Beside 3:1, it reveals the return as the same address meeting the reader again.

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